Have been trying to work through possible sciatic nerve irritation. Doing careful stretching, nerve ’flossing’, being tentative in bikram classes and currently sitting out vinyasa classes where I think this happened. Injuries make one feel so vulnerable.

Hope everyone else is getting along happily!

@lisaam, I have sciatica. Driving seems to exacerbate mine. A friend with a similar problem recommended a cushion for my car. I bought this one. It is ugly as all get out, but it helps me - along with PT ordered by my doctor. btw, I got it in gray, not the purple that the link defaults to.

These first few days of the new year have gone well.. I feel pretty good about my eating over the last week+ on vac. I dont remember if I had shared that I had lost 2 lb before I left for my trip-- 1lb off from my low weight. I feel like i have held there. We have eaten at home most days (we normally go out quite a bit more) which helps to reduce the unplanned indulgences but still we've eaten well!

Most importantly, I have had a wonderful and very relaxing time ... I havent done super well with sleep but the stress is greatly reduced.

I will work a few partial days and then return home later this week. I expect to maintain the good eating habits as there are no other social plans this month. If all goes well, my surgeries will start mid month-- but i think there is a chance they may delay to give my BP meds time. We'll see .. I did speak to the office on Friday and they didnt mention a delay. I have a follow up with my primary next week.

Hope the new year has kicked off well for everyone! I am ready for a strong and healthy year!

I’ve started using the sleep app on my Apple Watch. I don’t know why, but my sleep is improving!

As I sit here eating Pumpkin Yogurt covered pretzels. A Holiday splurge. 🌟I'm making a batch of salads, in tupperware, so all we have to do is open a container & add dressing. Watched a cooking show & got a few new recipes I think we'll like. ie: Zucchini + garbanzo bean muffins. Until I stop "Over eating"....my weight isn't going to change.

I cannot make salads in advance, they never taste as good to me.

1 lb off your low weight, @Funkyart! Exciting!

I have not weighed myself lately, because I am really immature about gains. I have to wait until I am pretty sure I am down before I get on the scale! It's weird but I have been doing this for about 2 yrs now and I am losing very slowly but I am losing.

I had a nice NSV --- when I came back from London with my intact unworn gown, NWT, I decided to exchange it and size down since I wasn't wearing it until NYE. And it fit on NYE, YAY.

I have definitely indulged some over the holidays, but that is ok. I usually let myself have whatever I want, but I try to buy small portions and just have some of it and then throw it out. I don't deprive myself but I make it a point to try not to inventory things that I tend to over indulge in and then regret.

Then came this really lovely advent calendar! I have been having a piece of candy with every meal. Ruh roh, I usually don't even like chocolate.

PS DH and I are going to start going to the gym together. He likes to play sports, ice hockely for many years, now pickeball and golf. He finds gyms really boring, but I convinced him to work with my trainer on things to help his golf game, and that sealed the deal.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQzdmT6j66i/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

my 2lb arent anything to celebrate much — i had agained in November. So this is just putting me within a lb to be back on the path to losing.

@texanjana 🩷

Sorry about your loss.

@Funkyart keep us up to date on the surgery and enjoy MN and DBF!

@texanjana, that is so wonderful that you had the company of your aunt and your mother for so many years. I know you miss them both.

@Funkyart...Will be sending you healing thoughts, ie: your surgery.

@texanjana...I'm so sorry for your loss.

@bbstx..Improved sleep. YAY!

@lisaam...I hope you see improvement. Nerve pain is hard to treat.

@mtnrdredux_gw...Looks delicious!

Got a story: We went to a gym we rarely go to, maybe 5x a year, to run the indoor track. Afterwards started on the weight machines. I was leg pressing 180lbs with one leg, the other crossed over. A lady came over asking me what weight I was lifting & how many reps. Yeah....gym rat! Instead of accepting the compliment of being "one of them"...I told her what I weighted & that I should go on a diet. 😂😹 I'm just not used to being THIS weight, this shape. We have a weight room @ my house...gotta go...there's iron to pump. 🤣

Just home from the land of queso and margaritas…I think I’ll wait a day or two to get on the scale.

Well, well, well... if it isn't the consequences of my choices. Bad news is I'm up about 4 lbs. I ate healthy on most days over the holidays, and still focused on vegetables and adequate protein. But there were definitely indulgences, such as egg nog and eating out, that I don't usually do throughout the rest of the year. Oh, well, the egg nog is gone, and the meals out were socializing and meaningful.

The good news is I started a new weightlifting routine about 2 weeks ago, and it's going well. I needed to switch it up. Because I've been a bit more sore than usual, my stretching and yoga have increased recently, too, which has been helping.

The kids got me a Garmin watch for xmas, and, although I've never been much of a tracker, I'm giving it a go. It's going to take some getting used to... I wore it last night for the first time overnight and had a terrible sleep score, mainly because I was hyperaware that I was wearing it all night. I think I may end up wearing it only for exercise.

Texanjana, I'm sorry for your loss.

Lisaam, I hope your pain subsides soon.

Happy New Year to all!

Life has been super busy the last couple weeks and more so this last week helping take care of my mom who fell again. Only a broken toe this time so we are hoping for a shorter rehab stint, but having dementia and being in a strange facility, someone has to be with her 24/7. Luckily I have help, but it's still a lot -caregiving is not my forte. I have been sleeping overnight there and my sleep score is still ok. I was ready with my sleep mask and my sound machine. And we go to sleep about 9:30 - maybe that's the key:)

I've been meal prepping the past month or so while DS is home from school, so that has been helpful to have food ready. I'm trying to eat a lot of fruit instead of snacks, and keep up with my water. I did manage to weigh myself January 1 and I was only 1 pound more than January 1 last year. When she first fell almost 7 years ago, I let the stress totally deraill the healthy plan I was on then. So I am trying really hard to maintain the basics at least. We also have more support in place this time which is wonderful.

Seeing patients in rehab is motivating me to keep trying to get in better shape - I think strength is key. Anyone can have an accident, but going in strong does help with the recovery, and I need to get stronger. Mom never really exercised per se, but she never let anyone do anything for her, so she's got some strength just from staying active and doing everything for herself.

@lisaam - I hope your pain is improving

@texanjana - so sorry for your loss

@legomom23 I’m sorry about your mom and hope she recovers quickly. It is smart to prioritize your health and well-being.

I am so sorry to hear of your Aunt, Texanjana and your mom's fall, Legomom.

Lisaam, I hope you are managing ok with the sciatica irritation!

I am staying on vac a few more days than planned but still doing well with eating. We have actually been eating too little on some days imo -- yesterday we had only hummus and veggies but we've been happy and not hungry. so we're going with it. SO has lost weight this last year and looks great. He wants to maintain and I am happy to have done no damage on this trip. We will be going out for a few meals this week-- which makes it harder to manage calories/ingredients but I am confident I can choose restaurants/dishes wisely and keep it in check.

I have not been following the NYT Brain Health Challenge,.,. i could have but opted to remain on "vac plan" this week. I am thinking I'll pick it up on my return. It is pretty much how I eat when I am on a good path.. not socializing and keeping my house prepped. I think it will help keep me on track when I am busy/lazy or when I am in those destructive headspaces where I feel rebellious or inclined to self sabotage.

I am feeling positive and enthusiastic about making some big changes this year -- I know everyone says that at the beginning of the year but it doesnt feel transient. It is up to me and fully in my power. I am ready!

Between the holidays and a weeklong vacay, I gained 2-3 lbs. My stomach has been icky for the last 2 days so I haven’t been eating much…maybe a pound has dropped off already?!

I am finally scheduled for a cortisone shot on 1/26, and am really hopeful my exercise life can get back to normal (or headed in that direction) after that. I also have a followup with the MOHS dr on 1/22 and she is supposed to dermabrade (?) my post-surgery nose blob so it will be less obvious…fingers crossed. Whole new outlook on life by the end of the month!? Uh, I saged my house today FWIW. Figured it was worth a try.

I will be spending a month in FL late Feb to late March, and the local community center has lot of options for exercise, from yoga to boot camp, as well as personal training sessions that are very reasonable, even at a nonresident rate. I plan to take advantage of the personal training during the time we are there.

Sorry to read of people experiencing losses and illness/caregiving.

This week is the week before classes start next week, so I am busy prepping. I was able to work from home today and go to Upbeat Barre at the Y. I am not looking forward to being back with students next week since our region is super high in flu like so many others.

I will have Pilates twice this week. Weight is holding steady, but I am going down in dosing on Zepbound.

I had some pho over the weekend and then we made salmon in parchment yesterday, so will have that again today.

BTW if anyone saw the new Wegovy oral medication is now available. It is priced at $149 cash pay or else insurance may cover. It must be taken first thing in the morning.

Weather has been up and down cold and warm. Right now it's warmer, so i will take it. I even opened up the bathroom window for the kitties for a bit. I would love to go somewhere warm, but don't really want to travel with so many people sick.

Sue, zi am so happy you are finally getting a cortisone shot. I am sure that will do the trick for your hip. After hobbling around for the longest time, I was cured overnight and thats not an exaggeration. Blessed relief!

Happy New Year everyone!

I've been doing well. Overall I am down about 13 lbs. I am 1.5 lbs from the goal I set for myself before my vacation starting Wednesday. Not sure I'll get to that weight but I'll be close and I'm OK with that. I will need to figure out how to not gain weight (or too much weight) on this vacation. It's on a new to us cruise line where the food is supposed to be spectacular. Uh oh.

I will have to force myself to walk the ship to get steps in every day. Not something that comes naturally to me on vacation. I'm pretty good about not taking the elevator and using stairs when possible, but I will need to force myself to spend 45-60 minutes walking each day.

I also started using my Tonal again (an at home weight machine). I don't really enjoy it but forcing myself to do it.

I am not a person that enjoys exercise. I am a natural coach potato. But seeing the results on the scale and in the mirror does motivate me to keep going.

This weekend I plan to do a tryon session to figure out what clothes to bring for dinnes on the cruise. The dress code is resort casual, so nothing very dressy. But I think I have some things that I can fit into (or fit better than last time) that I'll be excited to wear.

Unfortunately, I got some bad news from my brother. He had colon cancer 3-4 years ago. Went through chemo and had been clean. Until now. It's back. He starts chemo again tomorrow. The prognosis does not sound great. I am hoping for a good outcome. He's really the best big brother anyone could ask for. I'm actually pretty devastated but trying to remain hopeful. The prognosis did not sound good when he told me. He's a retired doctor so he's very straight up about these things and the prognosis.

Oh, Jsk, I’m so sorry about your brother. Hoping for a good outcome this time, too.

Jsk, I echo Feather's sentiments. All my wishes for you and for a better than expected outcome for your brother.

Looks like Mtn’s pyramid post got pulled? So I will just leave this here.

SueB, thanks!

Jsk, I am sorry about your brother.

Yeah, the emphasis on protein and vegetables is good, but some of the recommendations about full-fat dairy, meats especially red meats, etc. are not good if you have high cholesterol/LDL/known heart disease. One error my nutrition colleagues have pointed out is the one to "prioritize oils with essential fatty acids such as olive oil. Other options can include butter or beef tallow." The fact is all of these are low in essential fatty acids.

My colleague who is probably the leading protein and resistance training researcher has a great essay on 2025 was the year protein jumped the shark (link).

Jsk, it is easy to get steps in on a cruise, but also consider using the stairs as part of your routine.

Sending caring thoughts for yur brother.

Thank you for all the good wishes for my brother. Very much appreciated. I am on edge today as he's getting his first chemo infusion today. Fingers crossed.

@eld6161 yes, as I mentioned, we almost always use the stairs instead of elevators. A good way to get steps in but also a good way to avoid enclosed spaces with potentially sick people. Just doing that won't be enough though. I will have to force myself to walk either on treadmill in gym or do laps around the ship. This is a new to us ship and much smaller than our usual cruise ship. I'm hoping there is a promenade type deck that circles the entire ship. That's my preferred way to walk on a cruise. Seeing the ocean while walking makes it go by faster.

I missed an earlier post. Let me add to those hoping for a better than expected outcome for your big brother, @jsk

That pyramid in the cartoon is how I have eaten most of my life, so for me, it has ideas that I feel are good to promote. I'm not young, have been at a low/good weight all my life, have no health issues, take no prescription medicines and only take a daily multi-vitamin.

I spent most of my childhood in a meat/beef centered country and actually ate beef most nights for dinner. My parents ate a variety of proteins, but I was a picky eater and got a steak nearly every night!

My parents eat a similar diet to this pyramid and they are both in their late 80's with no health issues. They have always been at a low/good weight too.

Highly processed foods with dozens of ingredients you can't pronounce, should not be part of human diets, specially for children.

@gsciencechick thank you for the link to that article. Very refreshing to read real science along with common sense. There is no magic bullet and I'm always annoyed by influencers that make it seem like there is.

@gsciencechick, thanks for the article. It was very interesting and educational!