Happy Mother's Day! I hope you all have a lovely and relaxing day!

This was a maintenance week for me ... I made it over one of a series of challenges at work and through that time I was about to maintain my weight, maintain a good attitude and maintain a workable stress level. I am good with that.

This coming week, my goal is to continue to manage the stress (and my reaction to it) and to make some progress with my weight loss. I am very close to a new decade and hope to get there and beyond this week!

Both @Feathers and SO shared information with me that says mindfulness and attitude contribute to and have great impact on the ability of the brain to make new neural connections and adapt. Conversely, stress and negativity increase cortisol levels -- which inhibit the neurogenesis that is key to neuroplasticity. It is a pretty simple formula: increase mindfulness and positivity-- decrease stress and negativity. LOL not a new concept but I definitely havent been maintaining a good balance for the last few months! After only a week of focus, I have already seen that breathing exercises and stretching in the morning and journaling at night are helping. I am not much of a journaler -- and am not writing coherent paragraphs or anything in a format to read later. I am just getting notes and thoughts on paper. Still, I am finding that just that is helping to get things that are spinning in my head out of my head. Bonus: I am also sleeping better.

How are you doing? What are you doing that is getting good results?

I think I have now lost 4 lbs in the last few weeks. Tracking is definitely working.

Goal for the week is to keep at it, and gradually get into a good exercise routine. I walked two miles on Fri, then upper body weights for about 15 minutes. Not the craziest workout, but I am trying to be gradual and so far my hip still feels pretty good. This morning I will do a similar routine before heading to a bbq with the fam and frankly, eating whatever I want, and tomorrow I will get back to business.

In general, I need to do less sitting. Working on it!

That's good news Funky. I'm fascinated with the brain and the impact our thoughts can have on everything else.

Way to go Sue on the tracking and I'm glad your hip is feeling better.

I did pretty well with my fasting last week. It helped me cut back on my mindless snacking and I did drink more water. We had dinner plans where we ate later than I wanted which makes it harder for me, plus sometimes I need to break the fast too early to eat before I play pickleball. But it was improvement. The scale did move some, so even if it's not fat loss, it is encouraging.

Forgot to add - we have a pilates reformer class in the town over and they're expanding to be closer to me this summer! I'm so excited. I have to do 4 introductory classes before I can start and those times don't work for me the next two weeks, but hopefully I can get started soon.

Last week was not good. I caught norovirus, so it was just survive the week. Still not feeling great but my focus this week is working on getting back to my routine.

Oh, Jill, I'm glad you're feeling better. That must have been miserable.

Good for you, Funky! Journaling is difficult, although I do it off and on for periods of time. It is an effective way of getting past rumination. Bonus that your sleep is improving!

I was maintaining last week, and indulged yesterday with the kids. Planning a leg workout today, and an upper body workout tomorrow at the gym. I'll keep tracking this week and see where it goes.

I am still struggling with diverticulis. I had a relapse and had to start over with 10 days of antibiotics and liquid diet. It hasn't been fun. The upside is I've lost over 7 pounds in the last month, but it's not a diet I'd recommend or wish on anyone.

I'm still going to my water aerobics class, but I had to miss a bunch of strength classes. Don't have much strength when you are on a liquid diet.

Czarinalex and Jill, sorry you have been struggling -- glad you are feeling better, Jill and hope you are soon back to normal too, czarinalex!

@czarinalex, I have a friend who suffers from that. Hope it resolves soon.

I've been pretty good about my strength training the past year, but my cardio has been light. Strength training is getting all the PR, but I also know I need to add more cardio. A recnt NYT article also highlighted this.

So I decided to try spin classes at my same gym. It's the only cardio I've ever liked, but I am really picky about the bikes, the music, whatever. We shall see!

You are making me smile, mtnrd, thinking about my MIL who was quite possesive of ’her’ bike in spin classes. I wouldn’t be surprised if she had claimed it out from under someone. These classes kept her moving well for a long time.

And of course I donated my padded seat and my spin shoes a lonnnng time ago because I was being "realistic."

That is good news, Sue!

I noticed in my Sunday morning bikram class that I feel almost normal after a good 6 mo of possible nerve pinch or piriformis or yogabutt pain. I credit improvement to nerve flossing, bird dogs, and going slow.

20 years ago I could’ve over this in 2 weeks.

Oh well, still very grateful for a body that will do work for me.

Hi, Everyone, I have been finishing final grading, we had graduation, and now I have to do all sorts of year end reports. We are heading out of town for our festival this weekend, only going two days, so I've got to get everything done. It's great because there is minimal cell phone service there. Then summer school classes start next week, so it never ends. Well, it will end in about a year or two at most so I can look forward to that.

Weight kinda bouncing around up and down one lb but I'm not super concerned.

Yes, you do need some cardio for heart health and you need resistance training for bone and muscle health. Then balance/neuromotor/mobility for all the rest. So yeah! Especially as we get older, it's more and more important. I did one Pilates class yesterday then I have the private session tomorrow. I did virtual Zumba today at home due to limited time.

I loved to do Spin class and did it for over 20 years, from mid-90's and it was literally the last thing I did before everything shut for the pandemic. After C-time the Y was severely affected in membership and now they have very few spin classes when they used to have them pretty much every hour. They are still building back their membership base. Many people did home gyms and didn't look back, and there are also more options. My most favorite instructor retired, and I would go to whatever Y location she was teaching. Also things just get cyclical in fitness trends. More competition in fitness as well, but the Y is great for summer camp and kids programs.

Off to have lunch. My chicken is ready!

Talk to me about the Pelaton ... it seems like you like yours, Sue. Any downside?

What are your thoughts on purchasing a used Pelaton ... there are many available in my area. I am assuming folks who purchase and then don't use. I know I'd need a subscription but the used prices are much more in my budget than new.

The real question is if I would use it ... which no one can answer but me LOL. However, I had another major issue come up today. It doesnt appear like this year is going to go smoothly for me so I see it as not only a bonus for my physical health ... but also my mental health!

I used it very consistently until this hip BS started. The fact that I kept at it for 5 years says something, because I get bored easily. Even just on the bike, there are so many options for classes of different levels and themes, or the ”just ride” option. I have a couple of instructors that I like. Cody often makes me laugh, so I like him. There are others I like depending on my mood. Within the app, there’s also stretching, weights, yoga, meditation, etc etc…again at different levels and times. So you can do a 15 min yoga class or a 45 min one; upper body weights, lower body weights, or full body. And so on. The best thing for me personally is that it is in my house. I can ”go to the gym” in my pj’s if I want! And I can swear at the instructor if I want, too.

Knock on wood, it has worked perfectly for 5+ years, no issues.

PS they have lots of beginner level options.

For me, the accountability and socialization of an IRL class work much better. But in your case, and with your hours etc. I think you should definitely get one. Especially if you can get a good deal on a used one (does Peloton sell refurbished maybe, so you get some warranty? IDK).

You won't know until your try, and what better to invest in then your well being?

Agreed, a home Peloton removes the annoying issue of ubering to a gym for you, Funky. Are there any interactive virtual classes to hold you accountable? And I’m hoping that pedaling the bike minimizes balance difficulties.

Lots of great info ... thanks!

I think I should be fine on a stationary bike ... I am not fine on a road bike. I am not fine when I am moving and scenery is changing. I will try/confirm before actually buying to be sure.

I love the idea of working out at home over going to a gym. I am not a social gal ... especially when it comes to exercise/working out. Also, the best time for me to workout is either 5am or noon--both of which work best with a home workout. I love the idea of a noon routine. I used to run at noon each day (back in my 40s) and it really energized me.

Uber to a gym will cost $35/day .. not a ton but too good of an excuse if I am feeling sluggish or lazy. Also, these days it can take 15-20 min to arrive... an extra 30-40 min out of my day.

I do think accountability is valuable but once I get into a routine, I don't think it will be an issue?? That said, maybe I am fooling myself -- I often dont go to the bathroom as often as I should -- and relief is certainly a motivator!

I didnt think to check refurbishes-- and they do have them but they arent significantly less than new. They also have an option to rent a bike that I didnt notice previously.

Lots to consider ... but I really need to find one to give a try. I have also considered a rowing machine but for some reason, the peloton is sparking more.

More variety with Peloton

And maybe just more fun with peloton. A rowing machine just feels like really hard work to me (ours is an olde Concept 2 erg), maybe they have a video complete with herons and gators now.

Chiming in to say I love my Pelotons. I have the bike and the tread. I haven't really used the bike since I got the tread, but I did love the spin classes. Spin was the only thing I ever stuck with. Used to go to a gym for a 6am class. Then home to shower and get into NYC for work (a 2 hour commute). I was in my 40s, so much younger, but I still have no idea how I did that.

You probably already know this @Funkyart but they offer 0% financing. That's what I did for both the bike and tread. Doesn't make it cost less but it does make it easier to swallow. And why give them the $$ before you have to!?

On the bike, I liked Cody Rigsby. He's hysterical. On the tread, I mostly take Jon Hosking's classes.

Yeah, I am still considering -- first, if I will use it consistently ... and then, if so, I will need to rework one or more of my rooms in my living space (unless I put it in the basement--which I am trying to avoid).

I also need to give one a try-- I feel like I should be able to use one safely with my vision issues but I need to confirm.

Rowing is a great exercise, but I too find it boring, and HARD. It's hard to do it easy enough for any length of time and it's hard to do physically. It is a great full body low impact workout though. I've only successfully used it as part of a circuit where I don't have to stay on it too long.

I wanted to add with the balance thing - my Dad has been doing PT for balance issues and the PT told him one thing he could easily work on every day was toe lifts - going up and down on your toes to build ankle and calf strength. She said when you lose your balance and stumble, the first thing to stop you is your calves and ankles. They can restabilize you. I've never heard that before but it seems valid to me. When I balance on one leg, it's my ankles that start wobbling. You can always hang onto a counter when you're getting started to make you more secure. We put a sticky note above the coffee maching hoping he'd do some while he waiting for the coffee to brew.

Also, he is 93, so a lot of his work was mixing physical and mental to help his brain - probably unrelated to your brain/ eye issue, but I found it interesting just for general brain health as we age. A lot of it isn't easily transferable outside of their equipment, but for example - if he was doing repititions of any exercise, he would count backwards by threes instead of just 1 to 12. If he was walking on the treadmill, he would have to walk and name foods in alphabetical order. Also on the treadmill he would have to use a laser pointer on his head to find letters in alphabetical order from a random assortment on screen. I guess it's just a version of using your brain and body at the same time. I guess the same reason they often list racquet sports and choreographed dancing as the best exercises for longevity, since you have to think and move at the same time.

great info, Legomom-- thank you!

Yeah, I get that rowing isnt for everyone-- though 2 friends have recommended it to me. Of course, they think of me from back when I was an athlete ... when I was stronger and more driven!

My issues with being stable and correctly oriented are related to my vision-- more specifically, my brain processing the visual cues from each eye. They are much worse since the cataract surgery. I hope/expect it to keep improving as my brain adapts!

As I was writing it out, I thought this doesn't really pertain to eye sight processing :) but it was interesting so I thought I'd share. He is obviously much older than any of us here, but it says a lot to me that the concept of challenging our brain and our body at the same time is always helpful.

I have bad depth perception and am very near sighted, so I can SLIGHTLY understand some of your feelings. I have a really hard time with steps - I can't differentiate the next one a lot of times so I am always super careful, but on my trip in Belgium I fell down HARD -right on my face on a step that went down to the side of me instead of to the front that I completely missed. I learned a lesson - stay off your phone when you're walking:) No amount of balance training could have helped - I was down before I knew what happened. It's scary to fall. I truly hope you do continue to improve as your brain adapts! It's exciting that your vision improved and is leading the way!

Prior to surgery, I was also very nearsighted ... obviously I had other issues but I can absolutely relate to your issues. I learned to ever so slightly kick my heal on the next step ... it slows me down but helps a lot to know where the step is and how deep.

I still really miss being nearsighted lol.. I still needed glasses for the astigmatism but it made reading my phone, ingredient lists/directions, books on my ipad and working on my laptop sooo much easier. :)