I actually managed 25 minutes on the exercise bike today, a proud moment as I haven’t managed more than 15-20 minutes for absolutely ages.

Interestingly I increased my carbs this last week and seem to have more energy, I’m still low carb but higher than I was and I’m wondering if that’s helped. I need to keep It low carb because of my stomach issues but perhaps very low carb just isn’t good for me overall. I guess it’s about finding the right level to balance out the different issues.

How's everyone's exercise plans going now that we've hit July? I spent the last evening (Canada Day) on my feet for 7 hours working at a great music festival and fireworks. I'm a bit sore from standing walking and dancing around for so long. They have us there because the fireworks are set off directly on the edge of the roadside along the lake and there is a cordoned off area for safety that some dummies don't understand. BTW, do you know how many people want to bring their dogs to the park to watch the fireworks?! One young idiot gal was upset because she couldn't bring her new puppy. *eyerolz* She just got it and couldn't leave it alone at home yet. I told her it's kinda like having a baby.... that means you probably won't be able to run around and go all the places you used to (like taking your baby into the bar or club). I told her that being a new parent (child or animal) just meant you have to suck it up and deal.

I've been too busy with family issues that I haven't even had proper time to eat or sleep. Only getting about 2-4 hrs/night. Sooooo tired.

I've still been keeping up with my approx 5 km walk on patrol nights so 3-4x/wk. Better than nothing I guess, but not on my 'exercise for enjoyment and recreation' list.... Hope everyone is hanging in there thru smoke or whatever is happening in your part of the world. I will be working a great music festival in a little over a week - Salmon Arm Roots & Blues https://rootsandblues.ca/ - looking forward especially to headliners Colin James and also The Family Stone. Annnnd, there are always surprising musicians I haven't heard of who blow me away and whose music I eagerly add to my collection. I'll be on my feet and walking/dancing (depending on whether I'm on duty at the moment) for 4 days & nights.

Anyone still working on 15 minutes of daily purposeful movement? I like yoga, but lately haven’t felt up to it. I did make myself get out of the house today, and we went for a hike. It was exhausting, lol. I should have stuck to yoga. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to move again.

My challenge is going to be pacing myself. I have a 1500 square foot two story house interior to paint, and then we are moving the week after, and I'm the person packing 99.9% of the house. Whee!

I’ve got into the habit of going out walking once a week, we walk round the quieter streets of our neighbourhood so it’s still a pleasant walk but not as busy as the local parks. I’m now up to a half hour walk each week which is amazing for me as I used to find walking the most painful exercise. I do use a walking stick now so maybe that’s making a difference for me.

Up until a few weeks ago I was also using the exercise bike a few times a week but I got very ill from some probiotics and so have stopped that while I recover but have kept the weekly walk. Hopefully when I’m fully recovered I can add that back in again.

The painting got done, but I worked so hard that I sustained a stress fracture in my foot, which has limited my mobility for the past week. I have touching up to do in a couple rooms where the contractors didn't get quite done in time. But overall, it's all good.

@melmerritt33 another friend of mine is doing a full carnivore diet to see if it helps her myriad health issues and so far it's been awesome for her. I suppose it's sort of the ultimate autoimmune protocol. I'm all for whatever it takes to feel better, especially if it can be done without adding in more drugs.
Who knows, you may not need those specific kinds of probiotics if you aren't eating the foods they feed off of. Everyone's microbiome is very specific to them, so it certainly isn't a one-size-fits-all solution. You could always try to add in naturally fermented foods like raw sauerkraut, or kimchee, or kefir (if you can tolerate dairy.) That can help populate the gut with beneficial bacteria. The trick is not to heat those foods since that kills the good stuff.

My arm and hand is feeling better the past couple days, but hubby is now able to do a bit of his own health care while rehabbing his repaired forearm. That takes the problem of awkward positioning during my assistance out of the equation.
The arthritis in my lumbar spine is twitchy these days - sheesh! if it's not one thing it's another, eh?

@AlexandraFindsHerself1971 how's the foot doing?

Thanks for the updates both of you. I’ve been able to introduce more normal foods into my diet this week and am feeling so much better. Unfortunately full carnivore only works short term for me, after a few weeks I lose all energy and struggle to do even basic tasks. But it did seem to reset my system so that’s good.