As anyone who regularly reads TVFL knows, this girl has been blogging about taking care of her health and well being for the past several years. It was precipitated 8 years ago when I was diagnosed with colon cancer: Check out my blog post: A Place of Desert…(almost) 4years cancer free So it should come as no surprise to anyone that my most shared blog post, My clean living life… is up to Part Six. Namely because health and wellness is something that I (and apparently others in or not in my age group) struggle with. And I’m not ashamed to write about it. However, don’t get me wrong, if I could wave a magic wand and become the healthiest girl alive overnight, I would’ve been there done that soooo many years ago (smile).
As is stands, working out at the Edge Fitness Center 5 mornings a week, eating clean and healthy, getting the proper ZZZs at night and imbibing only on the weekends can get old (smile).
Especially when you work on 100 percent commission in a pressure-cooker environment each and every weekday…
But I’m not one to throw a pity party for too long…I like to look on the bright side of life. For instance, my quest for good health and wellness affords me the following rewards: a brighter, sunnier disposition, faster metabolism, increased energy and overall improved health.
Suddenly it’s the middle of Winter in Connecticut and even though we are not getting much snow this year I still find myself feeling just a little out of sorts…let’s see: it’s cold, it’s dark and it seems like there’s not a heck of a lot to do for fun…
The older I get, the colder I get…
Here’s the good news: Spring and Summer are just around the corner and all of the outdoor activities we are missing are too (smile).
So since we have a little ways to go ’till then, allow me, the eternal optimist, to focus on some of the things you, your family and your friends can enjoy in the meantime in between time:
Skiing
There is plenty of downhill skiing in Connecticut to enjoy and the resorts are merely a car ride away. Mohawk Mountain in Cornwall, Mount Southington in the Plantsville section of Southington, Ski Sundown in New Hartford, Woodbury Ski Area in Woodbury and Powder Ridge Park in Middlefield.
I love sking at Mount Southington Ski
Ice Skating
I went ice skating a couple of years ago on my birthday and like riding a bike, it really does come back to you. Growing up Hollis we kids spent a lot of time on the ice as Winters seemed to be longer, colder and snowier back in the day (smile). The difference between ice skating then and ice skating now is now it takes me a few days to recover…
No recovery time needed when I was ice skating as a young girl (smile)
Reading in front of a warm fireplace
This one’s easy because it doesn’t take much effort and it offers plenty of warmth and relaxation. Not to mention down time…
Fireplaces were made for cold New England winters
Cooking and Eating Comfort foods
Anyone who really knows me knows if I had my way I would have my own personal chef cooking me healthy gourmet meals each and every day.
I’m nobody’s chef but I do enjoy cooking when the temps drop
Watching old movies
I love watching old B & W movies and binge-watching new series, especially when it’s too frigid cold to venture outdoors…
There’s not much better on a frigid cold winter day than a good movie or book, a good snack and a comfy chair
Going to the museum or a live theater
It’s wonderful to lose yourself in the experience of a museum exhibit or live theater performance – lucky for us the New Haven area is known for both…
Spa Day
Pampering yourself works for any season but it feels oh so lovely in the dead of Winter (smile).
My good, good work friend and fellow Connecticut blogger, Jamie Taylor (jamieeverafter dot com) inspired me to write this blog today when she recently posted about the things she was not willing to give up in the year 2019. I “liked” her Instagram post because this kind of thinking is the polar opposite of what you expect to hear from anyone in the early days of a New Year.
At any rate, it got me thinking about my own will not give up list for 2019 so here is that list (in no particular order):
Coffee
I cannot leave the house without my coffee – nothing fancy, just a dark roast, completely black with natural sugar does the trick – I tried leaving the house without coffee once and it wasn’t pretty – I seriously thought I was coming down with something (smile).
Edge Strong workouts
I cannot imagine doing what I do for a living without the benefits of a good workout each weekday morning. It is not only a stress reliever but it also keeps me physically fit: Check out my blog post: LJ: Stronger than before…
Social Media
Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, Twitter, Yelp, you name it – I’m on it and loving every minute of it. Check out my blog post: R U Social?
Pampering (hair/feet/nails)
It’s no secret that I have a weekly standing hair appointment at the salon every Saturday morning so getting my nails and/or feet done on a monthly basis is par for the course: Check out my blog post: Put your slippers on…
Wine
I make my living as a TV/Digital/Social Media Account Executive in a highly competitive, pressure-cooker work environment. I do this all on 100 percent commission so a nice glass (or two) of red wine is more than welcome on the weekends – Check out my blog post: 10 things I cannot live without today
Movies
As I’ve posted about before in TVFL, Growing up Hollis my mother Jean would take her 7 children to the movies on Saturdays armed with candy and snacks: Check out my blog post: MovieBuff To this day watching movies on TV, Mobile tablets or even at the theater is a regular pastime.
Salad (with protein)
I absolutely loooooove salad any time of the year – not just the Summertime and I pile my salad with some or all of the following ingredients: romaine lettuce, spinach, kale, fresh veggies, mixed nuts, cheddar cheese, hard boiled eggs, sesame seeds, chick peas, grilled chicken, homemade croutons and low fat dressing. The low fat dressing is a semi-joke considering what goes into building my salads. Check out my blog post: New Haven, CT Fall(ish) eats!
Golf
I finally learned how to play Golf last Summer at Lyman Orchards Golf Center in Golf Fore Women 101 and I must say I’m truly looking forward to the Summer again so I can hit the links with my newfound lady golf friends! Check out my blog post: Ready Fore Golf
Beauty Sleep
Over the years I have alternatively read or heard that a good night’s sleep is overrated and you really don’t need that much rest for your body to function at its best. I disagree. When I get at least 7 hours of sleep at night I tend to be more mentally alert and better able to handle multiple tasks at hand the following day. Check out my blog post: What it means to be a woman of a certain age…
So that’s my list for 2019, how does your list compare?
Good or bad it is officially the holiday season. Thanksgiving is a not so distant memory, Christmas Day is looming and the New Year is right around the corner.
So today I thought to myself why not start early on my top 3 goals in the New Year before I get too caught up in the frenziness of the holidays…
Goal 1:
Make Clean Eating a regular part of my lifestyle
I’ve fallen off from clean eating more often than not this past year so in 2019, I resolve to do the following:
To not give in so much to temptation (mainly unhealthy eating)
To try harder to eat unprocessed, locally sourced foods that I (preferably) cook myself
To snack less and instead eat several small meals during the day
To drink more water in between meals
To eat more whole grains, veggies and fresh produce
Goal 2:
Work out smarter
It is a fact that I currently work out 5 weekday mornings a week but to tell you the truth I could be working out smarter as opposed to harder. Here’s what I plan on doing in the New Year: hydrating during my workouts, using heavier more challenging hand weights while working out and doing cardio after my team training, not before.
Goal 3:
Step up my retirement savings plan
I am 56 years old and not too far away from the legal retirement age so I resolve in 2019 to start putting away more money towards my retirement as it’s looming and will be here before you know it.
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