NON WW & WW NEWBIES, OUR NEW LIFE, THE START OF SOMETHING WONDERFUL

@TeresaW1020 Love the puzzle, my DH and youngest daughter are into puzzles and they're due for a new one

@renaegry Nice work. I need to do better with exercise.

Enjoyed my early morning walk yesterday, finally some sun. I ventured to the store for the first time in 5 or 6 weeks. We did curbside pickup at the grocery store. I didn't get everything on my list but it wasn't bad. Things are improving around here. I'm planning a birthday party for my mother-in law who turns 92 in 3 weeks. There won't be a lot of us there, but I think the lock down might be lifted by then.

@mswatson0777 So are you glad you are back on calorie counting or whatever it is that you are doing? May 1 is my target day. I'm starting my new 100 day book then too. Maybe that will help my motivation I dropped somewhere. I found some eggs. I'm thinking it was a temporary shortage in the supply chain at the beginning of all this and they fixed it somehow, I don't know. Cause who knows maybe next week it will be different. I'm just going to try and stop gaining in May and maintain. That will be progress right there. House projects and yard work. Both things that need to be done at my house. I'm the yard and he's the house. He has learned through all this that he can't use the excuse that he doesn't have time. We have a light out in the kitchen pantry and he said the light's out. No, really? I said yeah usually I have a guy that comes in and does that but I guess he's been quarantined and can't get to it right now. I miss the days of regular light bulbs. I know how to change a light bulb. These are these stupid LED lights that you have to pry out of the ceiling. Why did I let him talk me into those things initially.

@trooworld That's great about your Sodastream machine. Now hydration won't be a problem for you. I need to go back to drinking my moonshine because I was getting in my water regularly then.

@cbabie So what is your eating plan? Yaaay for hot weather......in April. Imagine August. So why didn't you eat any of the chicken rice dinner you prepared?

@teresaw1020 Did you blue dot today? Notice how I turned that into a verb. I was laughing at the Walmart sticker thing. Like people are really going to pay attention to that. We had some people protesting staying at home they sure aren't going to follow the stickers. Then I was thinking about those scooters people ride around on and hog up the aisles. Then there will always be the one lady who thinks she has to point out how you're not going the right direction. Nice puzzles. I like turtles.

@renaegry You are the workout queen today. Woohoo. Glad your spring is finally here. Goodbye cold.

@nighthazel01 I was doing well on exercise and the past two days. Nada. So back at it. Even for 5 min. just to keep up the habit. Yaaay for going out. Like a bear coming out of hibernation. That's what I'll feel like.

@its_cleo I'll have to go look up 3D puzzles. Good for you for staying on track with your calories. I think all of us are ready to hit the Play button in life again. This pause has gone on for far too long and I am not doing well with it at all.

@renaegry, wow great job on getting in all that fitness! You will be swimsuit ready for sure!

@nighthazel01, that is great that you will be able to have a small party for your mother-in-law. Turning 92 is definitely a reason to celebrate!

@trooworld, I am very much ready for this quarantine stuff to be over with too! I told DH yesterday that we humans have very short attention spans, and this has gone on long enough. We need something new to obsess over. Did you get your electric SodaStream? Mine wasn't electric, which might explain why I didn't like it too.

@mswatson0777, yeah I don’t like bickering with my DH either. Wouldn’t it be much easier if they just did what we say and be happy about it?

@cbabie, I’m thinking the puzzle might take forever for me too!

@its_cleo, your puzzle sounds fun! This is my first Ravensberger and I’m already loving how thick the pieces are. It's going to go together beautifully. Sorry that your tendon is still so sore. I hope you are taking care of it and being patient with yourself.

@theslightedgeforever, yes I did get a blue dot yesterday and I plan to get another one today. I have been going to Walmart early so the crowds haven’t been an issue. I kind of want to go there on a Saturday afternoon just to see if people obey those direction signs.

Good morning! So, yesterday was day two of my new workout program, Barre Blend. The woman did this thing called the Pretzel. If you don’t know what it is look at this video!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81lgxUzjRMk

Today is cardio and I’m sure she will do something else to try to kill me! I now want a ballet bar in my workout room and found one that can be made out of PVC pipe. DH is going to make it for me next month, which means that I need to completely reorganize my workout room. It was my storage room before mom moved in and has three big plastic shelves and an old dresser full of stuff. And now it also has a huge treadmill and all my weights. My plan is to remove one of the shelves to make more room for my new ballet bar and give me more space. I also need to look for a weight rack. So, that all should keep me busy, and that bums me out a little because really all I want to do is sit and put my puzzle together!

Hi all..sunny day here but wow!! is it ever windy!! We have gone for a walk outside the last few days, but don't think we will today, so back to the treadmill! Sure the pollen is flying around!!

@renaegry The up & down on the scale is why I average my daily weights per week. Easier to see actual trend that way. Good job with all the exercise.

@trooworld Hope your job is OK. Glad you were able to get some sleep. Dd says her company is sounding like they might not open the office up for a long time. I said look what you are saving..gas, no dressing up, etc. She was not impressed..I think she would rather be around people too. Said too hard to get problems resolved this way. I've wondered about a SodaStream, if I would like one.

@its_cleo Sorry about your foot. Hope it feels better soon.

@theslightedgeforever Ha about the Moonshine!! Hope your new 100 day book gets you going. You always seem to do well with them. I'm sure your ds has said about Iowa opening up for 77 counties. I am kinda glad we are in the 22 that aren't, but downside of that is this is where all the virus activity is. Hope it works out well for the ones that are opening.

@TeresaW1020 I think I am going to have to try Walmart or one of the stores early. I am getting tired of being home! But then, I am one of the ones that wander through & look at everything, so maybe better if I don't, lol.

@mswatson0777 Good job on getting some of the house stuff done! I am planning to go out to start painting the white trim on the house. It looked Ok when we moved in 2 years ago, but now looks terrible. I think they puttied over the nails & now it has spots all over it. We were waiting for Lowes to be less busy so we could get some paint, but we actually found some that the previous owner left, so now I don't have any excuse, lol. But not today...tooo darn windy!

@cbabie Nice that you are taking the baby out for a walk. I really prefer that to the treadmill. Dh & I are pretty funny walking..if we see someone, we take to the street or other side of the street. I also carry my little mask, just in case I can't avoid someone, lol.

Well, really should get busy & do something. Think I will switch the summer & winter clothes. Feels like we should be OK with it now.

Dd & gkids stopped the other day. Monday was our 46th anniversary, so they brought us some banana bars & cards that the kids had made. Just can't bring myself to wear the mask when we see them, but we do stay at least 6 feet apart. Our other dd wants to bring the gkids up here around Memorial Day & then they all stay for about a month. She thinks we could help keep them entertained while she is working, since she figures she will still be working from home. Not sure if our part of the state will be open yet then, and I am not sure how I feel about it. They can come...just don't expose us to anything! Dh doesn't see a problem, & I guess it would be like when my sis & bil still babysat with gkids while their parents had to work, you do what you have to do & pray for the best. Oh well, not thinking or worrying about it now, that is still a month off, a lot could happen in that time.

Hope everyone stays well!

Morning all. Pulled a stupid muscle in my back yesturday. Around my sciatica. Still will get my jog in today and possible an evening walk. Will still lift weights but will drop some weight deadlifting. Need to get some book work done today. Weather is finally nice here. Forcasting for 20C today.

@trooworld sorry to hear about your job.

@mswatson0777 I'm so glad your counting calories is going well. Today I restart my carb cycling. I'm just ready for the gaining to stop. I gained 0.4 this past week. Yes, she-sheds are important. I'm going to start calling mine that. It's really my bedroom nook. I enjoying reading there and watching my one show a day which I haven't since this whole shutdown started and ds and dh started working from home. My mil lives with me and a caregiver comes in for her and I just enjoying being by myself with no noise except the ones I want to make. So I totally get it. It's so good for our mental health and the health of all those around me. lol

@teresaw1020 Hubbys doing what we say and being happy about it. If only...... Yeah on a blue dot day. I think I will call mine green dot. I showed dh the pretzel and he says shes too thin. I said no way, that's normal. You are just used to me all those years. I will try that exercise. I need more hip stretching exercises too.

@trooworld its not real moonshine but the healthy kind. I'll have to dig up the recipe for you sometime. Apple cider vinegar and some spices in it. So sorry to hear about your job.

@renaegry Don't let the scale get you down. It's just a number. Just data. Our bodies fluctuate from sodium, hormonal stuff, muscle, etc. Do you have more energy? Are your clothes fitting better? What other non scale victories have you had lately?

@retiredandlovingit How are you doing on your food? Ds doesn't mention much about the virus. I have to stalk his area plus you. lol He knows I know you. Yeah, the two cities he works at seems to have just exploded compared to what they were initially. I just watch it go up everyday. He says quit looking at it. He was talking yesterday about a man who has been married 70 years and his wife had to talk to him through the window. That's so sad. I read about this all the time but hearing it from him made me sad. I told him to go be a good grandson to all these people since they can't get any visitors. Happy anniversary.

Update:
ended April at 105.0
Started April at 107.8

So successfully down 2.8#
I did maintain the 103.8 for 2 weeks before derailing. So here goes May!!!! Maybe I can end down another #!

https://step.bet/rnPegHUB75

Starting this for the first time tomorrow. If anyone is interested.

@trooworld Here's some recipes for Goodgirl moonshine. https://mamashire.com/good-girl-moonshine-recipe-roundup/ I started with the peach one and it evolved into using a mix of hibiscus tea bag and a lemon ginger teabag. I hope you get your unemployment worked out and that your little stay at home not working will be a short stint. I tried sushi once. Not for me. Blech! What book are you reading now?

@mswatson0777 Day one did indeed go well and day two too. I hope you are having a good weekend.

@shexio Woohoo You are my inspiration. Keep heading for that lb.

@retiredandlovingit That's great that you maintained. That's my goal for May. This is the peach one I use out of the ones I posted to trooworld. https://mamashire.com/peach-good-girl-moonshine/

@renaegry Thanks for sharing the link. How's your back?

Green Day- 215/238 Exercise-none

May goals: Green Dot Day Drink 4.5 glasses of water Burn 200 cals through exercise

@RetiredandLovingIt Were you able to get out and enjoy the weather?

@trooworld Losing 7.6lbs is AMAZING! You're going to blow your coworkers away when you get back to the office

@its_cleo It's a hard time to be motivated with everything going on. I hope you're being kind to yourself about the game. Keep taking those baby steps to get back on track!

@theslightedgeforever How did the weekend go with carb cycling? Did you get some activity in?

@TeresaW1020 That looks like a great bar for your barre classes!

So much for not bickering this weekend. Ugh...spring chores need to be DONE. We've got another full weekend of yard stuff ahead of us that I am 100% not looking forward to it. I think too much house time is getting to us, and we both hate doing house/yard work so it doesn't bring out our best selves.

I also ate my feelings about it Saturday which wasn't great. I'm doing better today, but I'm just feeling really dejected. Quarantine is stretching into the months ahead and I am not feeling my best self.

@its_cleo, that is a good idea to go look for a bike. I wonder if you can give one a test ride just to make sure it doesn’t hurt you. Starting fresh is OK!! It’s if you throw in the towel and give up that isn’t OK. And…you’re NOT going to do that!! Yes, make your own pizza and enjoy it!

@trooworld, so do you worry that you will get so used to working that it will be hard to go back? I’m finding that I’ve gotten into a nice routine of just being a lady of leisure. Of course, it would be nice to go to a store just for the joy of browsing and out to a restaurant.

@mswatson0777, I am sorry that you are feeling down. Quarantine life might be helping the virus but it’s doing nothing for our mental health. My pastor actually did his sermon yesterday on anxiety because we personally know many people who are suffering. Hang in there! I feel you about not liking yard work. Fortunately for us, we have a very small front and back yard and we pay a very nice man and his crew to come and keep it pretty. We did go out and scrub all the pollen off our patio furniture last week. I am determined to buy plastic covers next year to avoid that chore.

@theslightedgeforever, I’m excited to get my Booty Kicker in and see if it’s worth the money we just spent. Good job on getting your green dot! I had another blue dot yesterday and have already pre-tracked my day and will be my blue dot.

Good morning! So life is plugging along here at my house. We had a great Zoom meeting last night with several of our church friends. We just chatted and laughed together, so it was fun. Today, I need to make a grocery list for tomorrow. Tomorrow I’m also scheduled for a hair appointment but I haven’t heard if my salon has reopened. I kind of doubt it and my roots are sad. But I guess it’s OK since I don’t go anywhere other than Walmart. I'm off to do week two of Barre Blend and get my sweat on!

I just feel so Bad that I've not read your posts. I am thankful for the group though, please know that!

Work is not busy right now so I’m hoping on to post. I think I had a good weekend, stayed on track and got in a ton of walking.
Started a new workout routine (from beach body-the work) . Day 2 today was all chest and shoulders. Hubby and I will also try for 17,000 steps.

I’m also tracking food, as I mentioned I would. And eating healthy. I posted a few reminders in my house to keep me on track. Like on the pantry door, the fridge and the cookie / candy jar.

Going after that pound.... feeling motivated for it also!!!!

@mswatson0777 I’m with you, would be happy to maintain. Except I already gained so if I could get back to where I was I would be happy. Sounds like you had at least one nice day on the weekend. I’ve been watching Parks and Rec too. I just finished Season 2 or 3 I think. I hate when they make gun of Jerry. I generally don’t find being mean funny, but I seem to be the minority on that one.

@trooworld that is an incredible loss! It’s great to get something positive out of this time.

@TeresaW1020 not giving up yet! I did make my own pizza. I don’t know if it was as good lol but it had less calories. …..I do feel like I’ve gotten used to being at home. It’s weird.

@theslightedgeforever you’re right, I have to adjust my goals to where I am. I did increase my calorie goal but I just blew right past it. But I’m trying again this week.

So yeah the bike shops are closed so I could buy a bike and they would deliver it but I wouldn’t be able to try it first. But I emailed one of the shops anyway to see if they had suggestions. I also would have to find somewhere to store it. I don’t know if my building- I don’t know if they would let me put it in the garage.

One bike I looked at online was super nice looking, but $1000. Yikes! I was like- can I justify that? I mean for that much money I would expect it to talk to me and do some of the pedalling lol. But it did look nice. I used to always ride a bike from Canadian Tire for $100. I did look for one of those but they’re sold out.

I did some exercise today, a body weight strength training circuit and some core- squats, lunges etc and some other stuff. That’s about it. Trying to have reasonable calories but last night I had an ice cream sundae with bananas, walnuts, and chocolate syrup. Too many calories but I’ll tell you, it hit the spot lol.

I joined a 30 day alcohol free challenge. Every day they send me info about how alcohol affects your brain. It’s kind of neat. There are things I’m learning that I never knew about how the brain works. When you have one drink- somehow it releases a bunch of the pleasure chemicals in the brain, but too many so then your brain reacts and releases something else to try to balance out or reduce the pleasure. So some people after one drink will feel up and then down, and then they will get another drink bc they want the pleasure to stay up. I don’t know if I ever noticed that with me but next time I have one drink I’m going to see if I notice it. Usually after one drink I just feel tired.

Anyway I hope y’all have a nice day.

@teresaw1020 Look at you and I kicking butt on our dots this week. Woohoo! Imagine how awesome your booty will be with your workouts. You can bounce a quarter off of it. Isn't that what they say? lol I have thought about covers for my outdoor furniture. (birdpoop) but then I think it ruins the pretty effect when I look at it. So I'm still deciding pretty or cleaning off birdpoop. I miss my Saturday morning breakfasts out with hubby. Then we talk a nice walk at the mall.

@trooworld I was thinking about your comment of trapped animals. What if we changed the perception. A bear goes into his cave and hibernates for the winter. We can think of the slowing down of our lives. More time spent with family. Look at you losing 10 lbs. That's cause for celebration. Eventually we'll get back out there. Now that campus by the ocean would be a lovely place to work. No wonder you miss it.

@mswatson0777 My exercise plans this week are to follow my schedule. I have made a playlist on Youtube for each day minus my rest days. Warm up, cardio, strenth training/pilates/etc, cool down. I need to add that Parks and Rec to my list as I keep hearing people talk about it. It sounds like you had a much better weekend.

@shexio We all get what we need from our group I think. Never feel bad. That lb is yours. You've got a great strategy set up. You made me laugh. Death by reps. lol