Congrats Jen. I'm so happy to hear all this good stuff. I'm feeling the "stay strong in the middle" - It's been a fitness journey the last few months, especially as I left my job back in May. I've discovered I enjoy the 1 hour I put into myself at the gym in the morning because it gives back in the way of energy dividends all morning and into the early afternoon. Granted I always need a 4 pm rest but I'm overall less irritable and lackluster about my motivation. There's nothing like balancing strength, mobility, stretch and cardio to really witness self-love in action. It's a beautiful thing. Keep on rocking it.
I commend you for making it to the gym! My neighbor/friend and I have been trying to convince each other to do a yoga class together, but neither of us likes leaving the house. 😂
I’ve found friends are a great motivator to keep active. The other tip is to be compassionate to myself about what I consider exercise. A few months ago I would have scoffed at a walk being enough, especially at the rate I walk. If my heart rate wasn’t steady around 160 for avg beats I was slacking. However, I don’t do that anymore. Movement and feeling good is a win. Ok, so I’m still a work in progress in teaching myself this Habits and routines are so important too. This morning it’s raining and I’m not at the gym but I know I’ll regret it so I’m trying to figure out how I get in a workout!
When I was reading I thought you said "its my cute but exotic Eeyore trait". I had to go back and re-read not because it seemed wrong but because somehow it seemed right to name our Eeyore traits as exotic and just embrace them and go with it. Seems like something you would say and I wanted to bask in it. But you didn't. However, from now on all Eeyore traits will be exotic in my mind and I will give you credit.
More relevant. Love all this. I am obsessed with the concept that we spend most of our life in the middle yet somehow we only give credit or attention to the highs and lows. This is great advice, stay strong in the middle. Because there is just no rushing through it.
Bummer on the knee arthritis. Glad you are doing all the things for it. I have decided we are now at the age where we must do all the things always, forever, amen or we will be in pain all the days, always, forever, amen. And I have decided that some days it is worth the pain but most of the time I probably need to do all the things. I have someone who waves her hands over me and fixes things. John calls his guy who does the same the Witch Doctor. But with affection because his magic works. I see you have pain in your elbow. Well allow me to adjust your ankle. Boom, fixed. Weird.
Keep up the good work! You are strong in the middle and all around it.
Yes, very witch-doctory! A different woo-woo doctor I saw would feel around on my scalp, then go, “Are you experiencing tension in your arm?” And I’d say, “As a matter of fact I am!” And he would fix my arm by adjusting my ankle after checking my scalp.” As John Mayor once said, the body is a wonderland. 😂
Really enjoyed this post, and the idea of being in the middle. It's important to remember when we are in a rough patch, right? Congrats on the self care!!! 💜
I’m a member of Cloud Sangha, an online community for people looking for meditation groups and discussion groups. Each month had a new theme. For August it is “the middle way.” Clearly you knew this even if you didn’t know.
Thanks for sharing, Jen! Loved this essay about the middle...I've paddleboarded exactly once, stood up exactly once, and went flat over backwards exactly once, losing my favorite pair of glasses to the Puget Sound :0).
I've been doing yoga more regularly this year, and I feel a lot better about my flexibility and core strength. I'm thinking about getting more into weightlifting this year as the weather shifts...we'll see. It definitely helps to be motivated by the joy of moving, enjoying activities, and being with people instead of the "I shoulds".
Fabulous to see your progress through your health journey Jen. I love your determination and it sounds like that’s what’s got you through. You may have inspired me to finally try paddle boarding. I don’t usually like water sports, but the gentleness appeals to me. Here in the UK, if you blinked, you missed summer, it has mostly rained, more than usual! Such contrasts in the weather. I love figs, a shame I’m not closer to help you out there.
As someone that also has a knee no longer operating as designed, I am very happy to hear you're doing better!
As for the heat; growing up in Portland, I can honestly only remember 2-3x it ever reached 100, and when it did, it was a /big/ deal. Were there more than that? Maybe, but it certainly was a regular occurrence like it is now.
Meanwhile, the last few days in WI have been like living in a foundry. Heat indexes of 117 aren't supposed to happen in America's Dairyland. We're fortunate to have A/C at the house, but my car's is anemic at best, and the entire employee lot at work is "full sun," so that's a treat.
Congrats Jen. I'm so happy to hear all this good stuff. I'm feeling the "stay strong in the middle" - It's been a fitness journey the last few months, especially as I left my job back in May. I've discovered I enjoy the 1 hour I put into myself at the gym in the morning because it gives back in the way of energy dividends all morning and into the early afternoon. Granted I always need a 4 pm rest but I'm overall less irritable and lackluster about my motivation. There's nothing like balancing strength, mobility, stretch and cardio to really witness self-love in action. It's a beautiful thing. Keep on rocking it.
I commend you for making it to the gym! My neighbor/friend and I have been trying to convince each other to do a yoga class together, but neither of us likes leaving the house. 😂
I’ve found friends are a great motivator to keep active. The other tip is to be compassionate to myself about what I consider exercise. A few months ago I would have scoffed at a walk being enough, especially at the rate I walk. If my heart rate wasn’t steady around 160 for avg beats I was slacking. However, I don’t do that anymore. Movement and feeling good is a win. Ok, so I’m still a work in progress in teaching myself this Habits and routines are so important too. This morning it’s raining and I’m not at the gym but I know I’ll regret it so I’m trying to figure out how I get in a workout!
The middle! The struggle of Gen X!!
Love this all, and glad you are feeling better. Can the lake lady just show up at my door every so often, and shout a friendly reminder?
That would be lovely!
Yes please!
When I was reading I thought you said "its my cute but exotic Eeyore trait". I had to go back and re-read not because it seemed wrong but because somehow it seemed right to name our Eeyore traits as exotic and just embrace them and go with it. Seems like something you would say and I wanted to bask in it. But you didn't. However, from now on all Eeyore traits will be exotic in my mind and I will give you credit.
More relevant. Love all this. I am obsessed with the concept that we spend most of our life in the middle yet somehow we only give credit or attention to the highs and lows. This is great advice, stay strong in the middle. Because there is just no rushing through it.
Bummer on the knee arthritis. Glad you are doing all the things for it. I have decided we are now at the age where we must do all the things always, forever, amen or we will be in pain all the days, always, forever, amen. And I have decided that some days it is worth the pain but most of the time I probably need to do all the things. I have someone who waves her hands over me and fixes things. John calls his guy who does the same the Witch Doctor. But with affection because his magic works. I see you have pain in your elbow. Well allow me to adjust your ankle. Boom, fixed. Weird.
Keep up the good work! You are strong in the middle and all around it.
Yes, very witch-doctory! A different woo-woo doctor I saw would feel around on my scalp, then go, “Are you experiencing tension in your arm?” And I’d say, “As a matter of fact I am!” And he would fix my arm by adjusting my ankle after checking my scalp.” As John Mayor once said, the body is a wonderland. 😂
Love this one! Congrats on standing up on your board. Woohoo 🎉
Thank you!
Really enjoyed this post, and the idea of being in the middle. It's important to remember when we are in a rough patch, right? Congrats on the self care!!! 💜
Thank you!
I’m a member of Cloud Sangha, an online community for people looking for meditation groups and discussion groups. Each month had a new theme. For August it is “the middle way.” Clearly you knew this even if you didn’t know.
Awww... I love that!
Thanks for sharing, Jen! Loved this essay about the middle...I've paddleboarded exactly once, stood up exactly once, and went flat over backwards exactly once, losing my favorite pair of glasses to the Puget Sound :0).
I've been doing yoga more regularly this year, and I feel a lot better about my flexibility and core strength. I'm thinking about getting more into weightlifting this year as the weather shifts...we'll see. It definitely helps to be motivated by the joy of moving, enjoying activities, and being with people instead of the "I shoulds".
Keep going!
Oh no! That sucks about your glasses. Bryan thinks of everything, including straps to hold our glasses on!
Fabulous to see your progress through your health journey Jen. I love your determination and it sounds like that’s what’s got you through. You may have inspired me to finally try paddle boarding. I don’t usually like water sports, but the gentleness appeals to me. Here in the UK, if you blinked, you missed summer, it has mostly rained, more than usual! Such contrasts in the weather. I love figs, a shame I’m not closer to help you out there.
As someone that also has a knee no longer operating as designed, I am very happy to hear you're doing better!
As for the heat; growing up in Portland, I can honestly only remember 2-3x it ever reached 100, and when it did, it was a /big/ deal. Were there more than that? Maybe, but it certainly was a regular occurrence like it is now.
Meanwhile, the last few days in WI have been like living in a foundry. Heat indexes of 117 aren't supposed to happen in America's Dairyland. We're fortunate to have A/C at the house, but my car's is anemic at best, and the entire employee lot at work is "full sun," so that's a treat.