Freedom to Switch Things Up

Routines are Meant to be Broken

A few days ago, I mixed things up. First, my walking buddy and I walked in the morning because Summer showed up unannounced,  and I had evening plans which precluded walking closer to dark. Then I decided to run some extra errands; picking up orthotics for my walking shoes, getting gas, washing my car, and as an added treat, an iced Oat milk Espresso to help me stay awake for the evening’s dancing. The only downside, given how the rest of the week got switched up was I totally lost what day it was!

Even so, I got my laundry done on Wednesday, and my food foraging on Tuesday (after picking Maggie up from ERF) as usual, even if training was on Monday instead of Thursday. I’ve been getting the scooping done earlier in the day again, and have been running the robovac almost daily, much to my cats’ annoyance. It’s often enough, they’re even starting to get used to it, and growling at some unknown suspect in my backyard instead.

I am managing to get over 15,000 steps in on the days I walk and dance. I consider anything over 15,000 to be awesome, as it’s my goal and a half. Saturday’s walk, while the same distance, was a bit slower as a lot of the neighbors were outside, feeling chatty despite the heat we weren’t able to avoid completely. After more than a year, they’re used to seeing us nearly every day, and are incredibly encouraging, as well as friendly. Though the political and social viewpoints are often clear by various signs and flags on the houses, a lot of the less tolerant ones tend to stay out of conversations when it comes to friendly neighborliness, giving me hope for a better, kinder future for our country than currently seems probable.

Having Fun Reducing Weight

My biggest success story from the out-of-order errand running was finally getting the right kind of inserts for my walking shoes that allowed my toes plenty of room while supporting my hips so they were better aligned. I was pleased to discover Dr. Scholl’s has come a long way since the last time I bought their 3/4 length orthotics. The machine did more in-depth testing to fit me within a much wider size-range. I’ll be doing my daily 3 miles a lot more comfortably for years to come, despite continuing intermittent crankiness from various body parts. I just need to make sure to check the bottoms of my walking shoes before I’ve worn through several layers! Who knew just walking 3 miles a day could be so hard on shoe soles!

I’ve also started adding dance nights to my regular schedule which means I’ll often be dancing 2 or 3 nights a week now. There have been weeks I could have done 4, but know my body well enough to avoid pushing my luck! I’m getting more exercise on Sundays than I used to what with getting down on the floor a lot with newer, shyer cats and kittens. I may not get back up gracefully, but being able to get up off the floor with my excess weight, arthritic knees, and years that keep marching on is an accomplishment I’ll never minimize.

The excess weight part is something I can, and will get a handle on in the coming months. More 15,000+ step days and paying more attention to what I put into my mouth will contribute to future success in bringing my weight down some more. My trainer has changed things up as well which should contribute to building more lean muscle mass to further burn the calories I do consume.

Challenges Accepted

It brings to mind the optometrist I used to see. On our last visit, she told me my blood pressure was too high after measuring it once. She went on to say I should ask my PCP for blood pressure medicine because there was no way I’d drop the 20 pounds that would help bring it down naturally. Not only did I drop more than the 20 pounds, I found myself another optometrist!

Even last year, my blood pressure was fluctuating, running high under the stress of doctor visits, and an eventual cancer diagnosis. The OB/GYN I was seeing at the time again “suggested” going on blood pressure meds. She also told me I should be getting 10,000 steps a day as it would help with weight and blood pressure. If she could see me now! Even when I’ve only walked and done errands, or chores around the house, I’m getting 12,000-14,000 in a day. Not bad, if I do say so myself. Of course, it also helps to wear my watch most of the day instead of forgetting it on the charger. Nowadays, most of my steps get counted.

Now that I’ve added 2 Physical Therapy appointments to my weekly schedule, those numbers should climb even more, which is good news for the osteopenia that was diagnosed in my neck. Apparently, walking, dancing, and building muscle mass are among the things which can help reverse bone loss, or at least keep it from getting worse. Being able to enjoy the activities which help is an added bonus, if you ask me!

Needless to say, my schedule changes from week to week. Other than appointments, nothing is engraved in stone. Even dance nights have options every week. Better still is sharing those nights with a lovely group of ladies who, like me, don’t need to be part of anyone’s crowd.

Expressing Gratitude Throughout My Day

My gratitudes today are:

1. I’m grateful for having only localized bone loss at this stage in my game.
2. I’m grateful for already doing a lot of things right. There’s always room for improvement, but at least I don’t have to start at ground zero and change all my ways!
3. I’m grateful for the freedom to navigate my weeks any way I want to.
4. I’m grateful for continuing to find things to write about, even if some might only interest me.
5. I’m grateful for a mind that thinks critically, researches regularly, and constantly seeks truth, or at least provable facts in a world that discourages such things.

About the Author

Sheri Conaway is a Holistic Ghostwriter, and an advocate for cats and mental health. Sheri believes in the Laws of Attraction, but only if you are a participant rather than just an observer. Her mission is to Make Vulnerable Beautiful. In her spare time, she’s also an accountant with extensive experience in Government Contracting.