WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR JUNE 2019

Hello ladies!

For the month of May my goals were:
-10 minutes of exercise per day (not including physio)
-daily physio hip strengthening exercises
-intentional meditation 10 minute block

I had to quit hip physio for now, but over the past month or so I have created two sets of exercises, one for upper body and one for core/knees. Both of them are strength plus cardio, and I have been really enjoying them and I try to do each at least twice a week... so I'm happy with how May turned out. I did NOT achieve the 10-min meditation per day, however, so I'll try it again.

My goals for June:
-do 30 min core/knee set at least twice per week
-do 30 min upper body set at least twice per week
-walk outside at least once per week
-move 10 minutes at a time, twice a day (stretching, yoga, cleaning, walking all count as movement)
-meditate in 10 minute blocks once per day

My food is all over the place. Since I started exercising in January I have found food to be difficult. This has been stressful because food hasn't been that difficult for quite a long time (I have an eating disorder, and it was great to be in remission). So I'm taking it slow, trying not to engage in negative self-talk, and also talking to my disordered-eating-informed therapist; so I have a plan.

My main goal is to continue exercising, even if the food is a bit off, because it has helped me SO much! My quality of life has increased a great deal, and while it hasn't helped at all with the scale (in fact, I've gained weight), it has helped in many other ways. My body has definitely changed shape (my clothing fits better) and I can move so much more easily. Daily tasks are not as daunting. I can clip my toenails and give myself a pedicure. I can bend over and pick up things without too much trouble. I can walk up the stairs and not have to sit down and rest. I can move around in bed (ie: turn over) without a problem. I can walk around stores without the aid of a cart or cane. My posture has improved so much! Oh, and I had a lot of issues with one of my shoulders/arms and it is "almost" back to "normal".

It's also really empowering to see strength gains. I started off with 1 & 3 lb weights and am now using 3, 5 and 8 lb weights. I can get the cap off my juice bottle without the aid of a bottle opener; haha! I was also able to help my partner do some things around the house that normally I would not because I was so weak.

In any case, I'm really proud of myself.

Thanks for this group, Barbie - and all you ladies. I know I don't write very much, but I read everyone's posts and try to keep up to the best of my ability... I find you all very inspiring and it really helps on the days that I just am not feeling motivated.

Have a great month!!

-Shannon in rural Ontario, Canada

Neko in the sunspot: