Bienvenidos to My Wellness Journey 06.2021. Had planned to provide a monthly update to the goals I set in January. Except my March update disappeared with my blog post facelift. I did manage to get a post together for April. You can read it here. But then got off track again in May. So what I had planned to be a monthly series has taken on a mind of its own and morphed into a bi-monthly post.
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MY WELLNESS JOURNEY 06.2021
For 3 years, I have journaled about my wellness goals which has helped keep me more accountable. I share them here with you not to say ‘hey, look at what I am doing‘ or ‘not doing’. But to just keep track for myself. And to maybe give you some ideas of activities you might like to try.
As a reminder, I began the year giving myself a 2.5 as a starting score in each category. Anything different indicates a change. Hoping to have all ‘5s’ in every category by the end of 2021.
PHYSICAL HEALTH – 4.0 (UP .5)
- Lose Covid lockdown weight: about 8 pounds depending on how much I have indulged before weigh-in on Saturday mornings. For the record, yesterday I was 143.8 (first part of January). At 136 pounds, my clothes fit so much better. My lowest weight lately as been 139.1 but this morning, after wine and pretzels last night, I weighed in at 142.9. Which is where I was when I last checked in here.
- Workout 4 times a week: we have our video workouts, and our mini-gym in the garage, and warmer weather on the way. I have put together a playlist of video workouts that I have discovered for seniors and fitness beginners. We are doing well at this. Weight training, stretching, sit ups. Have been adding exercises for target areas. Looking at you, inner thighs and lower abs. Pinning those on Pinterest, here, too.
- Walk everyday: video walks in the house for bad weather days, walks in nature when the weather is pleasant. Just successfully completed my fourth StepBet walking challenge. Have walked close to 30 miles every week for 6 weeks. Love getting paid to walk!! You can get paid to walk, too. Check out the pot in the challenge I have just completed. Then go here to learn more.
NUTRITIONAL HEALTH – 3.0 (holding steady)
- Cook meals at home 4x a week: want to do this and track my Weight Watcher points until I get this extra weight off. Continue subscribing to HelloFresh and enjoying their low calorie meals. Yuppers, doing well in this department…at least until this weekend. We have enjoyed Mexican and sub sammies out and plan to try a new neighborhood sushi place tonight. But cooking at least 4x a week. Need to get back to tracking my WW points, though.
- Smoothies: in the mornings. Need some new ingredient ideas to spice things up. We are not drinking these every morning like we were as I explained last update. It’s the sugar from the fruit that influenced my decision to cut back a little. Having 3 smoothies a week lately.
- Alcohol and sweets on weekends: going to be more careful about this again. Behaving pretty well. I look forward to a beer or glass of wine on the weekends. Made these decadent peanut butter cup stuffed brookies a few weeks ago. Oh, and there’s my monthly Dairy Queen blizzard fix. Can we call it a smoothie?
SPIRITUAL HEALTH – 3.0 (holding steady)
- Quiet time: at least M-F, getting up early to do it first thing. Well, out of 43 weekdays in the last 2 months, I did quiet time 25 times. Always room for improvement.
- Bible journaling: a couple of times a month. Learning to enjoy doing this more. That didn’t come out right. I have always enjoyed Bible journaling but not worried about trying to create a masterpiece. Just relishing in another creative outlet.
- Gratitude journaling: every night. Again, pretty consistent with this.
MENTAL HEALTH – 3.5 (Up .5 points)
- Duolingo: food for my brain. Was doing great on this, too…UNTIL I wasn’t. Will get back at it this month.
- Weekly artistic activity – #100DayProject: we choose a creative project, do it every day for 100 days, and share your process online – so going to work on my ever-lovin’ mosaic. And continue scrapbooking, painting, collages. Finished by the #100DayProject by the 05.10.2021 deadline. Recently completed this bicycle collage with Jennifer Chamberlin at Maker Beehive. Just today, registered for the “Altered Food Box Challenge.” If you are looking for a fun, inexpensive crafting experience, check out Jennifer’s online courses. So much fun!!
- Goodreads goal: Meet or exceed my reading goal for 2021. Finally a goal I seem to be excelling at. One book ahead of my 2021 goal!! Yay ME!! Guess what else? My online book club surpassed 100 members this past week with the addition of 5 new readers. Isn’t that fabulous!! Love that I am reading with 102 of my closest friends. We just voted on our July read Our Woman in Moscow by Beatriz Williams. Just finished reading People We Meet On Vacation by Emily Henry (light, fun read). Winding up The Rose Code by Kate Quinn. Have just started The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of September 11, 2001 by Garrett M. Graff, an emotional read as you can imagine. Need to finish up How to Be Yourself: Quiet Your Inner Critic and Rise Above Social Anxiety by Ellen Hendriksen in the next few weeks. Reading Pawcasso by Remi Lai with my granddaughter Cady on Facetime. Also borrowed a few children’s picture books on Juneteenth from the public library including All different now : Juneteenth, the first day of freedom by Angela Johnson.
RELATIONSHIP HEALTH – 3.5 (UP .5)
- Visit family: want to visit Brennyn, Cady and Mustafa desperately; go see my mom and PC’s mom. Loved my Disney trip in March. Visited Mom and my May, my mother-in-law, in April. Returned to visit Mom with Lauren and her family in May. Wonderful visit!! Looking forward to seeing Brennyn, Mustafa and Cady for our beach vacation the end of this month.
- Planned activities with PC: plan purposeful activities and not let weekends come and go without having fun. Here’s one place my bucket lists come in handy. Just shared my summer bucket list a few weeks ago. If you missed that post, please check it out here. Since things have opened back up in our world, we have been patronizing small, local restaurants. Especially those in our part of town. Tried Tsunami Sushi last night…PC’s first sushi experience and he liked it.
- Strengthen relationships with grandbabies: especially need to show love and spend time with Cady on Facetime or phone calls. As I type, we are waiting for the El Paso grands to come for Independence Day BBQ and swim. And have been reading with Cady and visiting with her on Facetime. Can’t wait to have all of them in one place at the beach.
PREVENTATIVE HEALTH MAINTENANCE – 3.0 (up .5 points)
- Monday manis: give myself a manicure every Monday. Did have a mani and pedi before going to see Mom in May. Have fallen off with given myself manis at home. Need to start again. Tomorrow is Monday!!
- Skin care: sunscreen, bedtime complexion routine, occasional facials. Have enjoyed several facials. Doing a little better about using make up removal wipes and my Retinol. Just started using 2 products I learned about through my friend Gail (whose complexion is peaches and cream) at Is This Mutton? Skin food and Cellulite body oil from the Weleda line of skin products. I know that an oil won’t rid me of my cellulite but it does suggest it will minimize the appearance. And my skin is so dry…thinking it can’t hurt, right?
- Routine health care: make appointments for routine checks – dentist, dermatology, mammogram, vision. Tooth and gum issues seem to be resolved. Knock on wood. Had an appointment with a dermatologist for a full body skin scan and the removal of some skin tags. Biopsied several but no problems, thank goodness. Need to check into when I am due for a mammogram and vision check.
FINANCIAL HEALTH – 3.0 (holding steady)
- Continue saving each month: saving a little each month. Yes.
- Save for Christmas, Disney and birthdays: investigate Christmas Club and Vacation Club accounts as well as ways to save for Disney. Opened a Christmas Club account and have been setting a little bit aside in it each month. Might have to dip into it, though, for the birthday beach celebration in July.
- Watch spending: don’t pull the trigger on impulsive purchases. One of my spring bucket list activities was to update my active wear. Done!! I will be sharing a few pieces in July’s ageless style post. Planning to do the same this season with my lingerie and pajamas. Have seen so many of my darling blogger friends wearing adorable, affordable dresses this summer. Was sorely tempted to allow myself to be influenced into buying some, too. But I am trying very hard to be true to myself. And my true self doesn’t have much occasion to wear a dress. So I have resisted. At least to this point!!
Moving in the right direction but still plenty of work to be done. I say as I finish my pretzels and a small glass of wine tonight before bed. But we are starting a new month, and a new week. Back on track tomorrow. Back on track.
YOUR TURN
How are you progressing on any wellness goals you set for 2021? Hope you will continue to cheer me on my wellness journey. Stay well, my friends.
Don’t forget 10 on the 10th coming up on…you guessed it, the 10th!! We will be sharing 10 favorite summer foods. Grab the graphic and start putting together your list.
Sentence a Day link up is Tuesday, Currently on Wednesday and Where Bloggers Live on Friday. Going to be a busy blog week. Hope you will stop back by!!
Fist bumps and elbow taps,
Jodie
I really like how you look at more than just food and exercise Leslie. I read a wonderful book (you’ll hear more about it on Friday’s post, wink, wink) about how our purpose in life makes such a difference.
OXXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Yay!! Thank you!!
leannelc
Hi Leslie – you seem to be ticking most of your wellness boxes. I’m quite happy with how I’m going (although I wouldn’t mind losing my last 3 or so kg!) I finished the book you recommended and appreciated her insights into the comparison trap of social media. It inspired a blog post that I’ll probably publish next month. x
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Anxious to read your blog post related to Yeah, No Not Happening!!
Deb
You’re doing so well! I like the idea of a Monday Mani, I may have to copy that.
I find I have to do my Duolingo lesson first thing in the morning so I don’t have to worry about remembering to do it. Literally first thing, cup of tea in bed, watch the morning news programme on TV, do Duolingo. All before I go down for breakfast.
Interesting that you follow Gail for her beauty product recommendations (and so much more!) so do I. In fact I think she lives about 40 mins drive from me! She does have amazing skin doesn’t she? Makes me realise that I don’t take good enough care over mine!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
I say I am going to do a Monday mani and then it doesn’t happen. Right now my nails are short but not terribly abused. Give me a weekend of yardwork, though, and they are just terrible. I use them like little shovels.
Gail does have the best complexion. I am liking this cellulite stuff and the skin food and think I do see a slight improvement in the texture of my otherwise lumpy, bumpy legs!!
Natalie
Well done with your wellness goals, Leslie! I’ve been keeping up with mine, too and added paddling for the summer (canoeing, kayaking and SUP). Thank you for linking up with #weekendcoffeeshare. Have a great week!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
So proud of you and all the physical activity you make time for.
Marilyn
These are all such great and inspiring ways for well rounded wellness. Thanks for sharing this.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you so much!!
Juhli
You are always so ambitious! Well done and I just requested the online book club book from the library as it sounds very interesting. Will be curious how you find ways to connect more with your oldest granddaughter as I have the same challenge.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Hope you have enjoyed Our Woman in Moscow. It was not my choice but I have yet to skip a book club read…so I plowed through the first chapters very reluctantly. And then the book began to make more sense and I began to really enjoy the story. I am actually listening to it. Like a play for the ears!!
Joanne Long
I’m trying to think of myself as supportively as I would a student. Although I have been a very healthy person, I am not by nature a very physical person. I have kept my weekly appointments with the trainer and I have increased the frequency to 2x a week because I’m not very good with the homework. I have tracked my food for 7 weeks and I have reduced my wine consumption by 25%. I am just starting to feel a bit lighter. My blood pressure reflects the dietary changes. I’ve tried to write more blogs but I’m having a hard time restoring readership stats. I don’t want to write the blogs of 7 years ago but I find it difficult to get new readers. I’m going to read The Rose Code next. I just finished And After the Fire for book club. There are always so many books to read!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Oh, let me know what you think of The Rose Code. I have enjoyed it but it has been a long read for me. There are so many good books to read!! Come do a link up with us. Maybe a fall bucket list? You might restore your readership that way!! Or entice new readers.
Jennifer
You do such a good job at staying on track! It’s impressive!! Hope you enjoyed a great weekend…celebrating the Fourth! Here’s to a full week ahead!!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you!!
natashajk
You’re doing a good job. You’re up in almost every category. I’m working on finishing a walking challenge and then I will probably start another one. And I’m drinking a can of Coke as I blog right now so I’m right there with you on the “health food”!!! Hahaha!!!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
LOL!! You make me smile. Have you heard of StepBet? You might like the walking challenges there.
Daenel Vaughn-Tucker
You’re doing such a great job. My problem is that I’m inconsistent. I’ll lose weight then there’ll be a change in my schedule or something and it all comes undone. *sigh*
Leslie Roberts Clingan
I am inconsistent, too. But generally, when everything is averaged, I come out okay.
Veronica Lee
I am impressed!
You do such a good job at staying on track!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you!! Hoping for all 5s by the year’s end.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you so much!! Have to laugh at myself sometimes…I thought I was following your blog on Feedly but double-checked just now and instead of following you at Of Mice and Ramen, I was following something like Of Mice and MENtal. I am mental!!
rawsonjl
You are doing great with your wellness goals! I was so happy to weigh in this weekend and see I had dropped a few more quarantine pounds but figured with our busy week ahead that weight might not stay off. It is definitely much harder to just drop these last few pounds and keep tracking those points but I am determined!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
I need to get back at it more with the WW tracking before we go on vacay in 2 weeks!!
Rebecca Jo
You’re doing so well!!! I dont even think of all the aspects of wellness like this – such good ideas!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, my friend!!
thisblondesshoppingbag
I always admire how through you are in each area of your life! You leave no stone unturned. I am excited for you and your family beach vacation!
xo,
Kellyann
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, darling friend. I am beginning to gather my clothes for our trip. Ordered a new sundress after admiring all the great dresses you have been sharing. Hope it will be beach-perfect.
laurabambrick
There is something about those DQ Blizzards! They are so darn tasty! Sometimes we treat ourselves after the kids are in bed! Haha! I have seen stepbet and wondered if it was worth it. I will have to get it now!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
I think there is something addictive slipped into the DQ blizzards!! Try out StepBet. I think you will love it!!
Denyse Whelan Blogs
You are in control of what you are doing. Well-done. I have listened to the audio of The Only Plane In the Sky. Wow. What an amazing, horrific and interesting listen it was. That’s a lovely photo of you with your husband. I hope you got to see your grandchildren. Our son was ready to bring his 4 kids up to see us for lunch two weeks ago…and boom, covid lockdown happened and continues.
Thank you for linking up for LifeThisWeek. It’s always good to see you link up a post. Next week, the optional prompt is 29/51 Please. 19 July. I will be sharing a post about Head and Neck Cancer in the lead up to World Head & Neck Cancer Day 27.7.2021. Gotta keep the awareness happening! Take care, Denyse.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you for the kind words. You are such an ambassador for Head and Neck Cancer. I am sorry you had to experience that horrible disease but I am proud of the work you do to bring awareness and hope to others.
Iris
Oh my goodness – I’m worn out just reading your items. Not saying they’re not great… and I surely admire you for doing all of them. I’m just too old and tired.
Iris
Leslie Roberts Clingan
You are a sweetie!! And not too old and tired!!