5/18/21

 Had my grandkids over the weekend. Attended a birthday party for one of my brothers's grandchild. Walked to the store with kids. David R, the kids's dad, changed my tire, so now when I drive it's with a baby tire on my left front, and the muffler clop-clopping down the street, and everything moaning and groaning. They'll hear me coming, that's for sure!

My diet is pretty steady for now, staying consistent. Weight is steady and going down, but in small increments. So small that it would take a digital scale to tell the difference. That's probably as it should be.

I have been doing some work in my flower beds as well, too. There's one I can't get in because of my knee, but the other two are doing okay. 

I'[m beginning to get restless and have an unfinished feeling if I don't get in a certain level of activity every day. That's probably a good thing, too.

Summer is rolling in like a steam roller, with the requisite humidity. I may have to move walking time to later in the day. Or perhaps earlier. 

May 8

A goal accomplished.  On Thursday the 6th of May, I not only walked around the block, I did so in a reasonable amount of time. (Still twice what it should have been, but better than I expected.) I even managed to do one long (for me; proportionately for the distance) stretch without stopping to breathe. 

Unfortunately for me, every time I went out it got cold and dark. I don't mind walking in the rain, but the rain lately has been mighty cold, and I didn't want to risk getting a cold shower I'd have to plod through to get back home. 

So I did my whole routine of back exercises all at one time. That takes a while, and a good amount of energy. Also, I hope it will loosen my hip where it kind of locks up, but not exactly. It just doesn't want to stretch.

My knee is still painful, although there is an ebb and flow to that. It also keeps raining in the night, even if the day is bright. Which it is not at times. 

Today I did the half block, after I had watched my friend put my flowers in the ground for me. The ones I bought Monday were starting to droop in spite of being rained on every night.  I also planted a few flowers she brought me. 

We sat on my porch and just visited for a while, which was as nice a giving as her saving my plants. 

After she left, I planted a couple more things she'd brought, and then I watered ones she hadn't got earlier. 

It was a nice way to spend some time.  

                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Trying again

Time to fire this ol' thing up again. I've had a lot of things happen since last I was here. Most of you reading know. For those who don't know the details, it really doesn't matter, except that it distracted me and now I must get myself back on track.

My weight, despite changes and diet and all that stubbornly clings to 300. It bounces up and down around that number, but it seems to be the anchor number. 

I am doing more, but I really can't seem to force myself into a routine. And changes are more easily made through an adaptable routine. Routine being the key word.

I went on a mini vacation with my sisters (and one of their friend) and I got in some of the kind of walking I enjoy. And I did enjoy it! 

I want to keep doing that, but I'm thinking I'm going to have to do a lot of boring walking around town and through stores, whether that's where I want to be or not. 

I am doing better. The walks I succeeded at in the mountains proved that to me. (Also proved that I am correct in saying "It may take me a while, but I CAN do it.)

What I need is some outward accountability. That is you, my friends. Please get on my case if I don't post something here regularly. I'd like to go every day, or every other day, but for now I'll accept a staring goal of twice a week. 

Please, if you can, help me hold myself accountable. If I can cure or adapt my physical problems, I am now free to do things I want, instead of just wishing and dreaming of doing them. I can even afford to do things, so long as I'm not reckless or extravagant.

This is important to me.

I will also benefit by getting back into the habit of writing regularly, which has been tricky with arthritis in my hands and ennui in my head. I don't like not writing meaningfully and frequently.

Here's to good habits and successful routines, and GETTING A LIFE.