Month: September 2020

It Is Time to Move Your Booty!

Move it, move it, move it!

Happy Monday. I hope you all had a great weekend. Were you able to carve out at least 30 minutes each day just to focus on yourself?  If you are a diabetic, a pre-diabetic, or just someone who needs to become healthier,  it is important to move each and every day. Pick an activity that you can build into your schedule.  It is time to move your booty! 

9 Ways to exercise in this time of social distancing :

  • Dancing–the beauty of the internet is that you can use any of the great music videos on YouTube or your favorite streaming apps to find music that makes you move.  My favorite ones are those by Enrique Iglesias or Luis Fonsi.
  • Zumba–a combination of dance, movement and great music.  Find a local class on Zoom or use YouTube videos.
  • Strength Training–You can do strength training by using things in your pantry if you are new to this and just need to get started.  As you build up your strength you can buy light hand weights.  Use your time during commercials or find a 5 minute block of time to do simple, repetitive arm moves.
  • Yoga–there are so many free videos on YouTube.  Pick a beginner’s level if you are new to this but if you already exercise, you may be able to move to more advanced poses or routines.  Scan through the offerings to find someone you like.
  • Bicycling–this one may be trickier if you do not have a bicycle and your local gyms are not as accessible to you.  If you have room for a stationary bike, look on local marketplaces and see what you can find.  This is a great way to exercise while watching streaming apps.
  • Swimming–more options are now available to you so head to your local pool and find a water aerobics class or empty lane to swim in.  Many places have opened with new rules in place so see what is available in your area.
  • Stair climbing–do you have stairs in your home or in your apartment building?  Make a goal of climbing 3 flights to begin with and then add 1 flight a day or week depending on your fitness level.  Local malls may have indoor stairs that you can use.  Hiking in a local park with an incline can be just as good.  Look around and see what you can find.
  • Walking–You do not need anything special to walk.  A good pair of shoes and off you go.  If the weather keeps you from going outdoors on a regular basis, you may find that using a treadmill can help you meet your step goals.  The local mall can provide a safe place to walk and provide a staircase for you to use.
  • Running–once you build up your endurance, you may decide that you want to try and begin a running regimen.  There are apps that will take you from walking to finishing a 5K in 9 weeks or longer.

barriers to finding the time to exercise

Do you have a little one at home or an elderly family member to watch over?  Are you working remotely and trying to juggle being a care provider and work at the same time?  Yes?  Well, you are not alone.  Social distancing and the isolation recommendations have many without the usual circle of support that is needed to help you carve out the time you need for this.  

If you don’t have someone in your home to work with, find someone else in your situation who can swap out with you. Yes, even in this time of social distancing. you can watch over each others loved ones with proper masking, hand washing and social distancing.  If you are not comfortable with bringing someone into your home, then you will have to find an exercise that you can do at home.  Find a time while your dependents are sleeping.  This may mean waking up 45 minutes earlier or staying up later in the evening.  Find a way to make this happen.

Others in your household need to exercise as well.  Make it a ‘family’ event or trade off caretaker duties so that each of you can build this time into your daily routine.  Change it up.  You do not have to do the same thing every day.  Do a group yoga session.  This will help with everyone’s mental health.Remember that taking care of yourself is the most important thing you can do. Only after focusing on yourself should you devote time and energy to others.

 

Yours in movement!

                                              

multicolored wrap bracelets on a women's wrist

Using Hobbies to Soothe Your Soul During COVID

Self-Isolation

COVID has changed our lives in so many ways.  My parents still live in their own home and have approached this time in a very different manner.  Initially, both of my parents heeded the recommendations from health officials to stay in their homes.  They had the support of several family members who lived nearby who could assist in running errands for them. Since March, she celebrated her 60th wedding anniversary, her 80th birthday and missed the graduation events of two of their grandchildren.

My dad, a very active healthy 85 year old slowly began resuming running some basic errands while being cautious.  For my mom, things were a bit different.  She had a heart attack last fall so she was still being mindful about her activities.  Due to her health issues, she decided to stay indoors without fail.  She did well at the beginning but as the confinement began to drag on, it was apparent that we had to find activities to keep her occupied.  My mom taught school for over 40 years and has always been a crafter.  She incorporated arts and crafts into her school work and then used this skill during her retirement phase to keep her entertained.  She is the type of person that can replicate anything after just studying it.  Being isolated was challenging but she turned to her love of crafts to help pass the time.  

Using hobbies to Soothe Your Soul During COVID

My dad resumed his outdoor activities but took precautions.  He was certified as a master gardener and used his love of all things green to while away his time in the great outdoors.  Piddling in his garden or work shed, cutting the grass at his lake lot or helping his sons on their projects, he took the stance that he wanted to find a healthy, cautious balance to life.  He just entered his 51st year of selling life and health insurance and has modified his work practice to meet clients in a safe manner.  

My mom decided to turn to her love of crafts.  She had been selling custom made rosary wrap bracelets to her friends and at local craft shows.  This fun pasttime came to a halt with the isolation orders.  We had a long talk about what she wanted to do.  I had time on my hands and had watched too many YouTube videos so we decided to open an Etsy store.

Bevasbracelets was born

She surveyed her craft room and realized that she had over 200 bracelets.  She loves to make rosary wrap bracelets so off we went.  We made some listings and learned all about SEO.  We made an IG account.  She has a strong following which delights her.  She now has something to look forward to.
She is now making all types of styles based on what her customers request. She has autism awareness bracelets, prayer bracelets, some NFL team bracelets and her breast cancer awareness bracelets.  She sells them through many venues including direct sales to friends, on Facebook and through Etsy.  This has been so exciting to watch as her bracelets are now all over the country.   She just made her 100th sale since going live mid-April.

 

If you get a chance, visit her Etsy store and see what she has. You can sort by category. Here is a picture of all of the breast cancer survivor awareness bracelets. There are 16 different styles and they are all on Etsy under Bevasbracelets if you want to look at the close up pictures.

 

Feel free to share this post with your friends. I would appreciate you helping to spread the word.

For Optimal Health, Make Yourself Move Every Day

Move it Monday!

 

One of the themes I seemed to notice this weekend as I was browsing articles was the topic of wellness challenges. There is good information that shows that when we join a wellness activity or challenge that we are more inclined to make ourselves move.  

 

I know that this certainly works for me. One of the things I miss from my last job was the wellness activities where we walked to a variety of locations. I have even done a personal virtual walk from Charlotte NC to Corpus Christi, TX over 16 months. That is a total of 1,230 miles.

 

My team and I are doing the Blue Ridge to the Beach virtual walk and have completed 38% of the distance (thanks mostly to Renee!) I slacked off a bit last week so I know that I need to up my game. That is a map of our trek below.

 

What do I mean by movement? It can be a variety of activities. It could be pulling weeds, raking leaves, sweeping, mopping, walking, running, yoga, Zumba, dance, pushing a lawnmower, water aerobics, bicycling, rowing, arm exercises, etc.

 

For optimal health, make yourself move every day.  The type of movement is not important.  You just need to do something other than sit on the couch.  Your goal should be to be active for at least 30 minutes a day.

 

If you are not moving everyday, why not?

 

What is holding you back? (This is not geared to those of you who have a physical disability.) If you are sitting here watching the Steelers play or watching another show, you could be doing arm exercises, walking around the room or in place. You can use a treadmill, stationary bike or elliptical while you are watching TV.

 

You don’t need fancy machines or weights. Cans from your pantry can be your weights and walking in place doesn’t cost you a thing. YouTube has hundreds of FREE workout videos.

 

What wellness challenge are you willing to commit to?

 

What other excuses do you have?  ?

 

Leave me a comment below so I can counter your excuse!

A male hunter and his hunting dog look into the sky searching for doves.

The Changing of the Seasons

I hope you had a great weekend. I love Labor Day Weekend due to the family traditions that we have developed over the years.  With the start of the school year and the anticipation of the usual things that happen at this time of year, this has always been a favorite time of year for me.

 

What memories does Labor Day Weekend hold for you? Is it just another weekend of work? Is it the last weekend that your neighborhood pool is open? Is this the last weekend at the beach or at the lake?

 

It is the end of one season and the beginning of the next.  The changing of the seasons is a great time to pause, reflect and redirect if necessary.

 

For my family, it is opening weekend for dove season in SC. The field preparation has occurred all summer. The gathering of old friends for the opening shoot is a day that my sons and husband look forward to all summer.

 

I find some shade and always have my camera ready to capture that special shot.

 

What occasions does your tribe look forward to?

 

The fall is rich in so many traditions. As you look ahead to the next four months what will you need to do to ensure that you can still make some great memories. If past years have been so busy that you have not been able to enjoy the cooler weather or see the leaves change, make a promise that you will do that this year.

 

Will you have to adjust how you do things?

 

Some of you will say yes and others will state that you are not going to change a thing. Either way is fine. You get to choose how, when and where you will carry out your work or family events. You get to choose who you will spend that time with.

 

Be mindful.

 

Think ahead.

 

Plan your activities.

 

Keep them simple.