Tag Archives: exercise

Writing Prompts

Still Exercising!

Working out with Shellea

Ok, to be fair, its only five days a week, but that should still give me some benefits, right?

I love to mix it up, one day with one of Shellea’s 30-minute walking workout, another day with Marion and her 30- minute walking workout to the 80’s, then the next day back with Shellea and fast walk/calorie burn in 30-minutes video. They are easy to do, easy to follow, low-impact for us ladies over 50, and I have to say, I may not be losing weight yet, but I feel stronger. These were harder for me when I started a few months ago, but now the time just flies by!

Marion’s workout

Let me explain quickly that the format for most of these ”walking” workouts, you walk for 30-60 seconds followed by an exercise move for 30-60 seconds. This breaks up the monotony and gives you a total body workout. For example, in the move Shellea is doing in the pictured video, we walk for 60 seconds while holding our arms out and pulsing them for the whole time. Other moves are leg lifts, boxing, toe taps, skaters, and easy dance moves. Heck, you can even manage this workout if you are tired or unmotivated! I felt like that today because I took my CBD too early (is my guess).

Once its done, I always feel better having done my exercise and closed my ring. (on my Apple Watch) Today, I felt tired, bloated, and unmotivated, but I managed it anyway. Now my ring is closed, I feel better about myself, even if I’m still tired. Btw, you can choose to walk the whole time, or do the moves, or do your own version of the moves, just keep moving!

Rings almost closed! Last night, they were all closed by bedtime!

Another btw, anyone with one of these watches knows replacement bands, if bought through Apple, are $50 per band, but I got a pack of 6 different colors through Amazon for under $13!

I am so grateful for Michelle (Boomer-EcoCrusader) for sharing these workouts on Pinterest, and YouTube! For me, walking outside s dangerous because of my knees and ankle after so many injuries. These workouts are safe and simple that almost anyone can do.

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Writing Prompts

What Makes Me Feel Strong

Photo credit: Unsplash

Normally, getting back into my exercise routine and sticking with it makes me feel strong. Even if it’s just a walking program that I do every day, slowly increasing the distance until I’m at three miles a day again would be fabulous. However, my body has other ideas lately. Is it from sitting around so much when I had COVID, losing my dad, not dealing with my grief or am I just that out of shape…and how did I get THIS out of shape?

Another thing that makes me feel strong is making my own decisions. Feeling like I’m in control and not doing something to always please someone else. Not that I mind pleasing others, it’s what I do. I’ve been caring for or taking care of someone for so long, I am finding it weird having no one but my pets to take care of. My husband, he takes care of himself and no amount of suggestions or pleading from me will change that. I love him, don’t get me wrong, and if he is sick, or hurt, of course I take care of him. Volunteering is one of those things I made the decision to do. Spending my own money to take a course to learn something new is another.

I spent four and a half years in the Army. I learned a great many things, one of which is being independent. Letting someone take care of me is hard, even after thirty plus years, but since Dad passed away in November, I’m finding it just a little bit easier.

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Writing, Writing Prompts

I’m Feeling Better! 08-16-21

Hi everyone and happy Monday!

I had my first Airrosti treatment today and it has already made a difference!

For those that have never heard of Airrosti, it’s a fast-track method of relieving different kinds of pain. For me, it has been my right shoulder area to include my neck, trap muscles, and knots under my right shoulder blade.

It is basically manipulation of soft tissues followed by instruction sessions where you’re given specific tools and exercises to help maintain your wellness program at home. A chiropractor assesses your area(s) of pain, and then manipulates the soft tissues to free up knots and tension, and then tells you what to expect from the next step.

I felt so much better after just one treatment that I would highly recommend this method to anyone experiencing chronic pain. He can’t really treat the cause of my pain, that would take therapy, but he can treat the results. Stress and worry, bad posture and little exercise have put me in this position. Now I need to use the tools, do the exercises, ice my injuries, and try to work on my stress level. Easier said than done, but today was a good start.

my lacrosse ball
My peanut.

He introduced me to a lacrosse ball and showed me how to use that, a peanut (basically two of the balls taped together), a hard roller and that tape the athletes wear, kinetic tape. Then he gave me some easy, albeit painful, exercises I must do twice a day. I have to use ice 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off – then on again, 2-3 times a day and drink 8 glasses of water a day.

I go back Thursday for a second session, then one, possibly two more times, and I’ll be finished! The rest is up to me. I need to try to work on my posture, since I am at the computer, or sitting with my iPad, or bent over some Diamond Art most of the time. I need to learn methods to control my stress. Us women tend to carry our stress in our shoulders and upper back. And us writers, may not always have the best posture for long sessions at the keyboard. You guys know it’s true!

The kinetic tape wraps around each shoulder.

Let me tell you, the kinetic tape feels like a warm hug, all day long. I get to wear it for the next three days I believe. It helps me maintain the proper posture while also somehow relaxing my muscles. I had already taken my ashwagandha and steroid for the day, so now I’m feeling kind of Zen. 🙂

If you have pain from any of these things, you should call Airrosti and see if they can help you. They take most insurance plans and yes, the visits are spendy, which is why I’m glad it will most likely take only three. They have clinics in Texas and 4 other states. If there is not a clinic near you, maybe a local chiropractor can do the same things. Good luck, and watch your posture!

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Writing

WOD Challenge 3-24-20 Write Your Own Obituary

You know, I was just thinking about this for a post the other day! Due to us all hanging out at home more, I thought what a great time to encourage others to write their own obituary, it is a writing exercise someone taught me a while back. It’s great practice, providing a fabulous prompt if you are stuck for something to write.

What would you want to leave behind? This is a chance for you to examine your lives, say what you want to be known for, or simply contemplate your own worth. Have you accomplished everything you ever wanted to? Would you die happy and ready if the time came tomorrow? How about we all give it a shot and then, if you feel like it, share them with me. If you don’t want them posted here, you can shoot them to me an email. I think it could be an interesting introspective. I’m going to try it myself, I may learn something!

The other thought I had was crafting our own autobiographies. Who knows? One or some of us could become famous someday for the words we write today! Maybe some of you have already done this. I actually had one started myself, but WORD has locked it from me and I can’t figure out how to get back in. (Me and my computer problems, ugh!) It was going to be called, “Me and My Short Self, A Memoir.”

 

My obituary would go something like this:

Kimberly S Smyth

Kim was a loving wife, mother to Sean, Joshua, and Christopher, daughter to Gus and Betty Robicheaux who never took life too seriously, choosing to take it as it came, one day at a time. A planner as well as a pantser, she loved to entertain family and friends, write, craft, play games, and work in her yard. A born caregiver, she worked for years in the medical field, as well as caring for others in her family. She was liked by many, loved by a few, loved her family and friends fiercely, and leaves a legacy of written words behind. She is survived by her husband, David, her children and grandchildren, her father, and her brother, Kevin. Her extended family is all over the world. She loved to volunteer her extra time when she could, take trips to the ocean, and a great margarita. Summer and spring were her favorite seasons, and music was her first love.

Ok, this is hard y’all. Obviously, this needs some work, but you get the idea. At any rate, it’s good practice and it get’s you to thinking about your life and what you can say about it. What do you think? Feel like taking a stab at it yourself? Good luck, then, I can’t wait to see your posts, or read your emails.

 

 

Word of the Day Challenge

 

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