hApPY hUmP DaY, gals!
Welcome to Wellness Wednesday, 05.2018. It’s time for another update on my progress on the wellness goals I set back in January. You can read that first Wellness Wednesday post, here. In February, the group shared our cardio tips. For March, our theme was fav exercise gadgets. And last month, we wrote about our favorite natural wellness tips.
You’ll be glad to know I am no longer using my broken foot as a crutch – ha! – for dodging exercise. It’s been over a month since I last wore that dreaded orthopedic shoe. And I haven’t missed it for a sec.
With that in mind, let’s see how I am progressing on my wellness goals for the year.
Wellness Goals Update
Again, rating my progress on a scale of 1-5. A 5 meaning I’ve knocked that goal outta the ball park! Probably not a lot of those. Maybe a double or two, though.
Exercise – A good solid 3.5
So proud of us. We are really getting serious at the gym. Working out for over an hour lately: 20 minutes of aerobic exercise; 20 minutes of ab work, planking and stretching; 20 minutes of weights and a little time on the step machine. Averaging over 4 hours a week. Falling down on my steps but working on improving that. Averaged about 5,500 steps and 3+ floors a day. Pool water is getting warmer everyday. Hope to start swimming laps this weekend.
Diet – 4
Haven’t been very consistent in tracking my Weight Watchers points but preparing only WW-friendly meals. For the most part, anyway. Have cut way back on alcohol…weekends only, one or two cans/mugs/glasses of wine a week.
Staying Well – 3
Improvement in all areas. Especially the daily sun screen. Seeking peace but it eludes me some days. Read a little more, here.
Mental Wellness – 3.5
Up this month. My daughter Brennyn and granddaughter Cadence are no longer living in an Extended Stay hotel! They have moved into their shiny new house. Hallelujah. And Brennyn and Mustafa were married last week in Las Vegas.
My daughter Lauren has been diagnosed with microscopic polyangiitis (MPA). Only 5 in a million people are diagnosed with this disease, making it pretty rare. The Cleveland Clinic defines it as:
…a disease that results from blood vessel inflammation that can result in damage to organ systems. Areas most commonly affected by MPA include the kidneys, lung, nerves, skin, and joints.
While this diagnosis is very serious and scary, we are relieved to have a name for the symptoms she has suffered for years. Now to treat Lauren’s MPA and hopefully hold off damage to her organs.
Because MPA does have a genetic component, I was tested for this same disease last week. I am thankful that all my tests came back negative. But now there is concern that I may be pre-diabetic. More tests coming.
Have begun refreshing my Spanish with Memrise. Playing games and working jigsaw puzzles for seniors (not 12th graders), here.
Spiritual Wellness – 4
Have been very faithful to my devotional time and Miracle Morning.
Relationship Wellness – 4
Sure is nice to have my Prince back home at the castle. We are unplugging better, enjoying gym time, weekend activities and baseball games.
Overall, I think I am moving in the right direction. As my sweet, amazingly active friend Tamara would say, “forward progress.” If you haven’t met Tamara yet in the blogging world, please stop by her blog, at My Retirement Project 101, but pack an energy drink to have while you are reading of her many adventures.
Now, onto the (my letter E is sticking this week so please pardon any missing ‘e’s) second part of this post. The part where I share my skin and beauty tips. I give you…
Skin & Beauty Tips
Actually, I don’t have any ground-breaking beauty tips to impart. Will leave that to the other gals in the link-up. My only real piece of advice is to smile mor. Yeah, missing an e back there. Did that make you smil?
Smile and the world smiles with you, cry and you cry alone. ~ Stanley Gordon West, Growing an Inch
Smile!
I find it’s true. If you intentionally smile at people, most of the time they smile back (or wonder what you are up to). And if they don’t, that’s on them. There ar (again) so many sayings about the power of a smile. Here are just a few that I found on Proverbicals:
A smile is worth a thousand words. ~ American Proverb
Smiles that you broadcast will always come back to you. ~ Indian Proverb
The man who gives little with a smile gives more than the man who gives much with a frown. ~ Jewish Proverb
Every smile makes you a day younger. ~ Chinese Proverb
Especially like that last one. Going to put it to the test. For next month’s Wellness Wednesday, I just might be 10 years younger!
Protect Your Smile
I am a baby boomer. Many of us grew up when braces were a very extravagant expense for most families. Of the three of us Roberts kids, my sister was the only one who wore braces (correction, my brother wore them for a year). And she didn’t stop there, poor thing. Valerie wore the head gear, the rubber bands, the retainers, the night guards (and still wears them). I probably could have benefited from a ‘grill’ for a year or two, myself. For my pretty significant overbite. Although, my teeth are not perfect, I don’t let that keep me from showing my pearly…(off-)whites.
One of my wellness goals under Staying Well is flossing. Which I still don’t do every single day. But I am working toward that. I found this article on Healthline about improving your smile in 10 easy steps. Some helpful tips for keeping your smile its best. Check them out.
Love the Skin You’re In
It has taken me 50 years to begin to love the skin I’m in. Yes, I am 60, but for the first 10 years of my life, I didn’t really worry terribly much about how I looked, if I was skinny enough, tall enough, pretty enough. When my daughters visit, we often look through old photo albums where I see photos of a 28 year-old me. Mommy of 2, unhappily married, verbally and physically abused, living out of the country with seemingly no way out. I was so badly brain-washed that I thought I didn’t deserve any better. Had been an anorexic senior in high school and freshman in college, so weight and eating issues were a problem for much of my young adult life. Could truly fill pages and pages with stuff about this. But won’t. Just want to say, give yourself some grace. Love yourself, love the skin you’re in. Maybe it could use a little work to become healthier, stronger, but love and accept you the way you are now. Then make baby steps toward a healthier you.
I almost wear my cellulite, lipomas, scars, sunspots, stretch marks and wrinkles as badges of the life I have lived and the person I am. Some days with more success than others. But today I am wearing this tank top as I head out to my second Pure Barre class.
And that’s where I am today. Oh, and slathering on the sunscreen.
Your Turn
If you were expecting a lot of wisdom from me on beauty and skin, I am sorry to have disappointed. Just not that girl. In fact, this post kind of took over and wrote itself. I had planned to at least talk about skin care – ha! But my fingers had another agenda. So, can YOU share a beauty tip with ME? Or maybe we can both pick up some on the blogs of the other girls linking up for Wellness Wednesday, 05.2018. I’m heading there now, come along!
One last thought.
A smile is a light in the window of the soul indicating that the heart is at home.
Thank you, dear ones for putting up with my silliness. My ‘e’ seems to be cooperating again, now that this post is finished. Going to do my devotional and get this dayunderway. Nowthespacebaris out. Bye.
Hugsandkisses,
Rebecca Jo
So sorry to hear about your daughter – but glad that she at least is now aware & hopefully she can help combat further issues with it for as long as possible.
[praying for your tests as well with pre-diabetes.
Keep up that UMP in your workouts – that’s awesome.
You are just killing it!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, Rebecca Jo for the thoughts and prayers. I know you guys have had a time with health issues, too. Sure makes us appreciate how important good health is.
I am feeling rather proud of myself to get back to the gym with some gusto. Hope I can keep it up!
Enjoy your Mother’s Day, dear one!!
Whitney @ Whitney a la mode
I’m so glad your daughter has a diagnosis. That must at least bring some peace of mind moving forward. And you are doing an awesome job at achieving your goals! Plus I appreciate how well-rounded your goals are! You really are hitting all areas of wellness and I bet your overall quality of life is greatbecause of it!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, Whitney. Do you remember Lauren from the style challenges? I think she is close to your age…maybe a few years older. She has an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic now so we hope to get a treatment plan just for her.
Thanks for cheering me on with my goals. My quality of life is so much better when I am active and working out.
Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit
Love that you divide your wellness into categories. I have (had) a spreadsheet I would use to track my physical, mental, spirit and “diet” wellness daily. I just ran out of time to continue updating it, But it was a great tool to make me think about these things daily. Love your lists!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Hey Leanne!! Thank you for commenting and coming by, in reverse order. I have been pretty bummed until this past month about my lack of progress on my wellness goals. It appears I may have turned a corner! Hallelujah. Now to stay there. I love lists. Lists for everything. I have a to-do list everyday. Keeps me on the straight and narrow!! Hope you will visit again.
Daenel T.
That picture of Brennen and Mustafa — so lovely. Congratulations to them.
I’m sorry to read about Lauren but I know she’s happy to have a name. That always makes things a tad bit easier. I’ll keep her in my prayers that a cure will be found and that she’ll live life to its fullest.
Yay for hitting your goals and still working on them. I have fallen off the horse. Wagon. Whatever. I’m not doing anything right now. Life has been beyond stressful and I just don’t have my mojo right now. Hopefully, things will simmer down soon.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
You always make me giggle and I thank you for that. Your exercise mojo will return and you will be back at it soon. Hope life eases up some and becomes less stressful with the approach of summer. Get in that RV and leave it all behind as soon as you can.
Thank you for the kind words about my bride and groom. And your prayers for Lauren. I appreciate them so much.
Natalie
Bravos, Leslie, for your ‘forward progress’. You’re moving in the right wellness direction. Keep smiling 🙂
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, Natalie. If you hadn’t created Wellness Wednesday, I am afraid I would still be a couch potato. Thank YOU!!
Sue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond
What a great post Leslie and you have inspired me with your workouts – you go girl! I’m so sorry to hear of your daughter’s illness but as you say you now know what you are fighting. I love that you include all types of health and wellness and yes a SMILE is such a natural way to be healthy and beautiful. Love the message on your t-shirt so true! Have a great week and keep up the good workouts!
Sue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, Sue, for your encouragement. I think all the time how blessed I am to have met you, Tamara, Natalie and all about the same time. You inspire me to move more! To THRIVE!!
Em
Brennyn and Mustafa…wow! Striking couple!!!
I’m sorry about Lauren’s illness; but finally knowing what you’re dealing with–and that there are treatment options–must feel like she has been given back some level of control over her health. “The devil you know…”
No wisdom? Your post was rife with it!!! From your own empowerment and escape from unhappiness and abuse, to your proverbs, your outlook, and your goal setting, this post was filled with inspiration (as I find pretty much all of your posts to be)! Your Wellness Wednesday is going to give me a Though-provoking Thursday.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Oh, Em, thank you! For the sweet compliment on my little bride and groom, for the encouragement about Lauren’s illness, and for your support on my blog post. Sometimes, I sit down to write a blog post thinking I have what I want to say all figured out and the next thing I know, my fingers have typed something all together different. Crazy, huh?
Will you be receiving a new wheelbarrow for Mother’s Day? If so, we will need a photo and a post to go with it. Whatever you do on Sunday, hope you are surrounded by those you love most. Happy Mother’s Day, sweet potato!
Dara
You are doing great! I’m sorry to hear about your daughter’s diagnosis. I hope she will be ok!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, Dara. Lauren has an appointment with the Cleveland Clinic – they squeezed her in – so we hope to get more information on this disease and her prognosis and a treatment plan.