As I noted in last week's thread, I have dropped a few/3lb but in general, I am not doing anything special. My appetite is down-- maybe a result of the increased temperatures but more likely due to a busier schedule. I do tend to do better all around when I am busy-- I eat fewer meals and pretty much go on autopilot.

Not much else going on here at the moment-- I have a few social events coming up in 2 weeks and a trip in a little less than a month.

What are you guys up to? What is going well for you lately? What is your focus for this week?

I am leaving Wed for ”craft camp for adults” for 4 nights followed by 3 nights at Kripalu. Both places have meals included and the offerings are very healthy. (And no alcohol.) After a 4 night mini vacay where we had 3 restaurant meals on most days, I’m looking forward to re-focusing on healthy eating.

My exercise routine is still not back to normal and probably won’t be until I get home from that trip. But I hope to at least do yoga every morning at Kripalu.

Still battling a cough but it is slowly getting better.

Congratulations on the progress, Funky! And speaking of increased temperatures, I have more yard work these days, and so a need for easier meals that also don't require the oven. I just need to get organized again because I haven't fully shifted to "summer cooking." I enjoy working outside, but finding the time means that other areas, like preparing meals, need to be pared down. I haven't cleaned my grill yet, but that will certainly help.

Sue, glad you're feeling better, and your trip sounds relaxing. Kripalu sounds wonderful--I've never done a retreat like that, and look forward to your experience.

I googled Kripalu, Sue, and it sounds like a wonderful week. I thought of one of your posts a while back because we still had a bunch of CSA rhubarb and I used it up by spending most of Saturday baking bread and rhubarb strawberry crumble. But all in all, I feel like my eating is just more normal and 'thought about', so I am happy about that.

DH mowed paths in our pasture and I did manage to routinely hike 1 mile as per Bunny's motivating example. 2 miles seems like going to the moon. The paths have several sections with hills and they are an aerobic workout, so that's something, I hope. As I learned in our "Fall Prevention" class, using hiking sticks would provide an even better workout. But I am self-conscious about using them either on my road hikes or tromping around our fields on a loop. I know how dumb that is.

Kripalu is great...if you're into that sort of thing. I have a friend who went once and will never go back. I am no yogi and in fact I pulled something in my ankle/heel the last time I did a downward dog so I may or may not actually do yoga while I'm there, because the ankle still isn't quite right. But in the past, I have done yoga every morning there and it's such a great way to start the day. I think I have been to Kripalu 5 times, sometimes with friends and sometimes solo. This time I am doing a 3-day program that is about "transitions" which I hope will be good. Within the past year, my youngest of three kids has flown the coop, I have decided to retire from my very PT job, and my dad has passed, so I do feel like I am in a time of transition...oh yeah and I'm turning 60.

Anyway, you can do specific programs or you can just do "R&R" and pick from various programs/classes each day. It is very no-frills, but it suits me. I went to Canyon Ranch once and felt out of place. Kripalu also has massages and facials but otherwise it's not a pampering/spa type of place. The grounds are beautiful for walking, too, with trails and places to sit, tree swings, etc. And lots of good food to choose from, buffet-style, with silent breakfasts (which I have tried to institute at home but so far DH continues to talk to me before I've had my coffee).

My first stop is Snow Farm, another one of my happy places! I have been here a few times, too.

Snow Farm | The New England Craft Program

Those sound like great trips, Sue. Very interesting and I'm sure you'll get a lot out of them. I am not artistic in the least, but that craft one looks really intriguing. Barncatz- good for you with the eating and the walking. I hope you'll try the walking sticks again since it sounds like something you do want to do. I have to talk myself into those sort of things too, but always happier once I do it. Funky - good for you! I am glad you are making progress in whatever way it comes. You're so consistent! Feathers - I loved seeing your trip report - and your arms:) Like everyone else said - woohoo - the weights are working for you and I know you must feel good feeling so strong.

Things here are going ok - lots of exercise. I am still doing the couch to 5k, and it is coming slowly. I am not a runner, but I've decided to stick it out, because I do think I will be in better shape if I can keep at it. I will not be running a complete 5k for the race I signed up for, I'll probably have to stop to walk at a couple points. But I am just going to keep progressing as much as I can. And seeing steady improvement is keeping me going. I am also full into pickleball still and taking some lessons now which is fun. I love pickleball and have made so many new fun, and such nice friends. It's really been such a good thing for me these past couple years. Weight loss seems to be evading me, so I'm sticking with exercise goals for the time being.

I haven't been eating great - I do make too many allowances for the exercise and instead of just eating more good stuff I allow myself some not as good stuff. So, I need to get back into that. I have been eating lots of fresh fruits, but not enough veggies. I am also 46 days into my 90 day no alcohol challenge and feeling good about that. It's helped me sleep better and with the hot days it's nice to wake up rested so I can get my exercise in early before the heat takes over.

Hi, Everyone, stay cool this week! It’s pretty humid but supposed to get even worse. I did Zumba outdoors yesterday morning and needed the fan even though it was early. I did the TRX class on Monday and I have Pilates private session today. I need to drive in for a retirement reception for someone in our building. DH is off for Juneteenth, so he can have a day to himself. He might need to mow so the sooner the better.

Food is going OK. DH is tracking, too. He got off track a little bit, but I have tracked all of 2024.

I agree with Legomom on the alcohol and sleep connection. Wine affects me much more, beer less, but it still affects sleep. I did a couch to 5K about 10 years ago, and I did it, but I was getting beat by kid and women with strollers. I have decided that running does not bring me joy, so I am done.

Just did my second pen 5 mg Zepbound, so I will see if I can get some more scale movement. I have my next appointment July 5 but I might need another renewal before then. The shortages have eased up a bit.

Feathers, thanks for the trip report and WTG on the cooking class. I have to wonder that when I retire will I be doing solo travel. Although as you know I do Pilates over yoga, going somewhere to spa/retreat would be something I’d like to do and to do solo.

Have a good rest of the week. Stay cool! 😎

Oh my pace is soooo slow! I'll be passed by walkers probably. It will be embarrassing to see it in writing for this race. But, I'm signed up now, so it is what it is.

I went through the Snow Farm catalog Sue and now I desperately want to make my own shoes! And I would love the botanical drawing in watercolor class also. That sounds like such fun!

Our meals in Scotland were carb heavy and I really dislike most restaurant food at this point so once we got back I was very happy to have fruits and veg to my heart’s content. i have a minor surgery coming up in early July and am trying to be as nutritionally ready as possible. The trip was pretty aerobic for me, lots of walking on islands up and down hills and wrangling suitcases up and down stairs. I’d planned on resuming my gym schedule as soon as we got back but am quarantining until Saturday so instead I am bingeing The Americans. The setting of the 1980’s Reagan era is fascinating as I was working at a small newspaper during the first half of the decade. Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys are wonderful actors. The stories are just ridiculously unbelievable but somehow the mundane dialog and family situations (can we have sloppy joes for dinner? can I get the new video game? can Marilyn sleep over? ) somehow makes it not only believable but familiar. The bit about Elizabeth selling Mary Kay cosmetics to get close to the wife of s scientist working on bio weapons is really well done.

So reading the above, I am sitting around with my eyes glued to a streaming service watching a trashy six season show eating fruits and salads. Hmmm. Does it sound worse than it is or is it just that bad??

At least my breakfasts are iber healthy: romaine, celery, red bell pepper, carrots and lean chicken breast dressed only with white balsamic vinegar.

Your breakfasts look great, Kswl .., I don't eat breakfast but that would make a super lunch or dinner. I love that it is easy AND healthy! Sorry you are still quarantined but it is only a few more days-- hang in there! How is DH doing?

Legomom, there is NOTHING embarrassing about doing the couch to 5K. Your pace doesnt matter-- what matters is getting up and doing it. *I* am impressed!

Sue-- LOVE your trip plans and I am with Kswl would love to take one of the classes. Someday, I will.

So I am about to head out for a lunch date with my great nephew (9 yo) ... i quickly scrambled into casual clothes.. a short denim skirt I haven't worn since last summer and a very lightweight v-neck sweater. I was very surprised to discover that the skirt that was snug last summer is now big (bordering on too big but I will get one more summer out of it) and I went from buckling my belt on the second hole last summer to the third hole this spring ... and the 4rth hole today! No additional weight loss but definitely progress. :) These small NSV and scale victories sure keep me motivated!

legomom, there is absolutely nothing wrong with walking some while running! I do that all the time! Probably more than I should but it makes my dog happy to pause and get some sniffing done while I walk and rest a little. Running elevates the heart rate and burns more calories, but if you get in more distance by walking some of the distance, it's still a huge win.

I've been doing well with lap swimming in the mornings despite busier than usual pool. I really look forward to the summer months where I can access the 50m pool. I was lucky this week that the weather turned quite cold (40 one morning, 50 this morning) and so fewer people came to use the few lanes left from the swim team that has completely taken over 6 of 8 lanes in the pool. The coach is really nice and actually gave me some kicking pointers this morning, but I wish they would equally share the pool with the community instead of taking 6 lanes during the only 50m time.

On non-swimming mornings I have been consistently running. On Sunday I dragged my dog on a longer run, about what we were doing at the end of last summer. The weather was nice so I took an extra long route that took us up to a park with a trail system and ran a little on the trails. Hoping to continue pushing our distance. To be honest, my dog is probably holding me back but I love her company and she needs exercise too. (The vet has checked her and there is nothing wrong, she just doesn't always want to keep the same pace as I do.)

Yesterday I had work off for the Juneteenth holiday and so after taking the dog for a run, my husband and I went golfing (walking, no cart) and that was a nice extra bit of exercise. I even did much better than I usually do. (I'm not a good golfer so minor successes here.) The weather was really lovely and not too hot.

I may not be getting weight lifting done every week day, but I've managed several days this week so that feels like a win. I need to keep it up. It's just tough to find time right now at lunch. I've had several weeks of just back to back to back meetings right over lunch time. I'm hoping things will improve a little and I can be more consistent.

I continue to fast. Last week I managed 2x 36hr fasts and this week I may try the same. I did a 36hr fast on Monday and I'll see how I feel by the end of the day today if I need to eat some dinner or can power through until morning. I have been probably worse than usual with snacking, including chips. I'm also still really struggling with extra people in the house. (These things may be related.) Last night I was trying to prep some veggies for a healthy dinner and my 19 year old niece decided she wanted to eat cereal and toast and plopped right down where I was trying to prep so I had to move to avoid gluten contamination. She wasn't doing anything wrong (there are seats at the peninsula) but it's tough to feel like my safe space isn't safe.

Thank you prickly and funky on the running encouragement! I appreciate it and I know you are right. Must start somewhere in order to improve. I like it because it does get my heart rate up - quickly! - and I'm hoping eventually gets me in better shape. I can walk all day, but running wears me out fast. You motivated me to go this morning. Got to keep it up!