It was another vibrant, active, and fulfilling weekend here, but not by accident. I have spent much time and energy creating a framework in our retired lives that provides a plethora of options. Assuming we have the energy to do them all that is, sometimes a dubious assumption depending on how early our body clocks go off.
This weekend as an example. I woke up at 3:30 AM on Friday, 4:30 AM on Saturday, and then finally ‘slept in’ until 5:30 AM on Sunday. At this point in my aging life, I accept that it simply is what it is. I do try to catch catnaps in the afternoon as I can/need, but otherwise just try to keep on keeping on.
In a nutshell, our weekend was comprised of a lovely and romantic evening at a coastal steak house enjoying Happy Hour and time along the beach afterward, a social gathering at a drop-dead coastal home in Laguna Beach, a beach festival, a harbor picnic, and miles and miles of coastal walking.
Which is a large reason why I'm choosing to blog again. Blogging places me in the position of wanting to be more intentional on how I move through my days. I want to post about things that make my days better, more vibrant, more fulfilling, more positive, not about the things that drag me down or don't move me along. So, I'm increasingly more deliberate about the choices I make in my day, and I appreciate that tremendously!
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From our social event in breathtaking Laguna Beach. I don't think I'd ever want to leave home if this was my view. To be fair, the homeowner has had to accept some definite tradeoffs. Tradeoffs like limited spacing between homes, significant traffic noise from nearby Pacific Coast Highway, and extremely limited parking. However, I'd still take the tradeoffs in a heartbeat in order to get those views! |
It's much the same reason why I blogged here about my weight loss journey - it helped me to be more intentional in the choices I made along the way. So thank you for allowing me to do that.
Even in spite of some non-supportive comments I received. But even those helped to move the needle along. We humans seem to be good at providing support to those we deem as 'like us', but not necessarily as good at supporting the final success. Perhaps because we perceive it as some sort of critique on ourselves, even though of course it is not that at all.
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What I wore to the event in Laguna Beach over the weekend. Posting the occasional after-weight loss photo here helps incentivize me to keep on keeping on with maintenance. Because while maintenance is now a greatly diminished effort, is not wholly without some effort. |
I hope you all make it a great and intentional day wherever you are!
I do try and create good and intentional things. I think though without my hysband when most othersxare coupled, it's quite challenging to do. My daughter who's single and most of her close friends do not live nearby, or even relatively nearby feels this too. That being said, you deservevto crjebrate your own life and achieving goals for health and wellness. .
ReplyDeleteI should not comment from my phone when post is in web mode.I can't see the typos my arthritic fingers make. Apologies:)
DeleteLOL, no worries Sam, I get it! I often delay replying or responding to posts until I'm at my laptop computer because it's so much easier than when I'm on one of my smaller devices.
DeleteI'm trying to live my life as intentionally as possible. I am not always successful, of course! I have my bad days just like anyone else, but I'm not inclined to focus on them because I want them to recede ASAP.
I do think ahead sometimes,, at what life on my own might be like if/when that time comes. I recognize some things I do now will not be appealing if on my own. However, there are also things I'm not doing because they don't work for my spouse. So, my hope is that that parts of my life will expand even as other parts of my life recede.
Living with intentional decisions - a great goal! It is easy to just float along in retirement and I applaud your efforts to not do so.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right that it is easy to fall into a habit of not exerting/trying. And of course, what is exertion to me may be entirely different for someone else. And viva la differencia!
DeleteI love your most recent post, which is right in line with this train of intentional thought. I just need to be at my laptop to respond vs. my Kindle, so stand by now for my comment there.🙂
This makes me so happy to read, and as I'm so close to giving notice & choosing more intentional ways to spend my time, it's inspiring me. And, you look amazing in that dress! Well done on the arm muscle tone, which is super hard to achieve after 40! - Hawaii Planner
ReplyDeleteI cannot recommend enough the book 'The Joy Of Not Working' by Ernie Zelinski. He has several excellent, excellent exercises to assist in beginning to format a vibrant post-working life. And he's funny to boot!
DeleteI was inspired to work on my arms by one of my granddaughters, who decided to 'play' with flapping them one day, to my chagrin!
My library didn't have this, but I used some Kindle credits & just ordered it! - HP
DeleteOne saying from his book that I continue to think about and follow as best I can, is "When you do that which is difficult, life becomes easy. When you do only that which is easy, life then becomes difficult."
DeleteSo many other gems in that book - I hope you find as much value in it as I did and continue to do.
The maintenance of weight loss is the hardest part. I was able to lose 50 pounds, 3 times and of course gained it all back and had to re-start once again. This time with the help of those weigh loss drugs, I might be able to keep the weight loss off forever! I'll also be counting calories for the rest of my life too because those weight loss pills are not a fail proof drug. You have to work hard at it all the time. Plus, work out at the gym all the time to tone up. What's your arm work out routine? You look great, Beautiful dress and color on you. I have no idea of your journey with weight loss as I found you after. Kids do have a way to humble us.
ReplyDeleteSo much work you are doing - I applaud you, and wish you the very best in your journey! On my side, I spent most of my life losing and regaining the same 10-15 pounds over and over, because I either didn't understand, or wasn't willing to accept that an entirely different approach to food would be needed for the rest of my life. That was simply an overwhelming thought until this time around, when I finally and fully 'got it' and began to accept the lifestyle changes as permanent.
DeleteOnce I lost the first 15, I realized I was increasingly OK with eating less in general, and decided to try and lose another 10 to get to the lowest BMI percentage for my height and age. Getting to that final number was amazing, and it still feels amazing. I weigh myself every. single. morning. in order to ensure it doesn't 'slip away'.
I think what you are seeing in my arms is more about overall body lean-ness than a particular routine. I do do an arm circuit and lift smaller weights, but primarily they look as they do because I lost overall body fat. So there is now less fat between the existing muscle and my skin.
And if you would - a Name would be helpful, even if you make it up. Something to identify who is commenting is immensely helpful!
I discovered your blog just two month ago and it has been a joy to read it every time. I am 2 years into recovery of a major woman's health issue and I try to live and appreciate each day as it comes. You are a source of motivation and positivity to me. Thanks for writing.
ReplyDeleteThank you for leaving a comment. And I can only imagine how a major life event might change your perspective on life.
DeleteI appreciate you find my blog to one of positivism. My life is good, very good, but certainly not perfect. Far from. However, I do try to avoid negativity here as much as possible, in that I find we return to ourselves the same type of energy we put out.
And to repeat what I wrote above - a Name would be helpful, even if you make it up. Something to identify who is commenting is immensely helpful. Thank you!