Sisters in Sweat Journal (but all are welcome)

[chriscandothis]

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Well we have had a lovely, but cold Christmas. We are in the midst of a big deep freeze with nasty wind chills. I have been hiding inside a bit. Got out to visit family between Christmas and New Year. Went to bed last night around 11. We never stay up to 12. I do not make resolutions as I can never keep them. I will be working on getting fit in 2018 just not sure how. Glad to see everyone is doing well.
YAH glad you got out and were able to visit family.
Mo we have no interest is the technology that is out there either. Good luck on your resolutions. Neat idea to do a theme.
Becky I hope you had a nice holiday season. Congrats on the reviews.
Wow Bama you cleaned up quick. Enjoy your Google mini.
Sue I hope all is well.
Have a great day all!!

[gym-fanatic-2025]

It's cold here too Chris. -15 at the moment not sure what the wind chill is. Glad you had a nice christmas!

Thanks for the kind comment on the book Mo. I read the comment to mom and she enjoyed the compliment! We will be starting illustrating probably this week. So it will be interesting to see what she comes up with for the book. This is kind of an american background we have for the character and the illustrator is Italian. But hopefully it works out. We can send her some pictures to give her some ideas.

I would have a hard time with your resolution. I don't like to throw things away.. Because i HATE when i throw something away and then i want it later on down the road and it's gone..... I never follow through with resolutions either so i don't know for sure. I can think of a million i could work on though. I think one i want to work on is just being more social and stepping outside comfort zone.

Instant pot ? I'm just teasing. probably not something i should joke about though... i actually don't know what an instant pot is. i will have to look it up.

We don't h ave a lot of snow on the ground in the cities but it's covered. I would think further north they would?? But maybe not. The superbowl is here this year... we have a new stadium outdoors. interesting to see how cold it gets!

Sue the golden is so sweet. i stopped by their house last night. sister questioned who i came to see her and family or the dog. It's made me realize how much i miss having an animal around. The newfie is with step niece who hasn't been around lately so i have seen much of him.

Hope everyone has a nice new years day!

[whenlifewassimpler]

Happy New Year ladies,

I just wanted to wish you all the best for the coming year and I will return later to catch up and all as off to do on line checks, breakfast, make up a list, do some cooking and then day will be free to do as I wish....so see ya all later.

Sue

[whenlifewassimpler]

Afternoon ladies,

Time for me to catch up.....

Molasses, I hope the eye surgery goes well for you. Hoping you get the clearance from your doctor. Hoping the facility is in the network...such a pain with all this medical stuff. Which is why I like that all mine are affiliated with UMC.

Well I wouldn't wish cataracts on anyone as until you get surgery it's so hard to see. Plus for me...after I got second eye done (yes they only do one at a time....so something to think about) Chuck was in the hospital for the open heart surgery and I am not "good with eyes and eye drops...Chuck was doing it" so it was quite a chore for me to get it done....

Unfortunately as I said eventually those lenses go back to not being so good, hence me with glasses again.

A very Happy New Year to you too, Molasses. How sad today you have to do "sexual harassment training"....

YAH sorry on the weather, I so much preferred Spring and Fall back east to winter.... Sorry about your sister's weather. I don't miss it.

Glad you got to see your grandkids, sorry though on no pics. Too bad you couldn't go into the sauna. Glad you had the pool area to yourself. HUGS to Henry.....at least he was a good boy. I see DH and oldest son were there too.

Hoping your hubby goes in for the surgery....it doesn't take too long and it will help a LOT. Glad you got to drive at night and I see got to stay over at your son's house too. Plus went out to eat the next day and you even got some groceries too.

Your gifts sound wonderful and I love the pillow with the pics on it. Oh I see the stopped to see grandpa too and got to see Misa also. Plus I see that your hubby and Misa got presents too. Ahhh on the kids picking out a table top pot with the spruce, cedar and carnations in it too for your 50th anniversary. I see the kids are celebrated NYE's in Marquette. Glad they had the time off and so did your oldest son to get stuff done around his house. Hoping it all works out for your middle son in the new, smaller space.

Yes enjoyed the decorations and now it's time for them to come down....cards came down today as hard to dust with them up and me having to move them. Friday I will take down all the decorations and put back normal "knick knacks".

Smart move on the van. We had to work each day with our Lincoln so it was fine. Plus our Corvette was in "winter mode" so it was fine. Only one time we called in and said car wouldn't start as it was wind chills of -50 and the bridge we drove on was a sheet of ice....so our patooties stayed planted at home. Mr. Bo was thrilled.....however, even he wanted to come in quick after going outside to do his business.

Boo hiss on missing Bama's pic on FB.

MMMM on that pea soup with the ham bone and all; both mom and grand mom did that a lot and added ham to it too afterwards. MMM I see lots of other good cooking too with the meatloaf....I don't eat venison as don't like the taste, but just me. We were always required to taste it before we could say we didn't like it. Since I like almost everything growing up mom and grandma never said a word when I went YUCK. Now sister and brother were another story as they didn't like so many things. I drink coffee in the a.m., but hot chocolate after dinner. In the summer it's ice coffee in the a.m., and hot coffee after dinner.

Glad you had a nice Christmas at your house Bama. Hope you had a nice New Year's eve too and are having a Happy New Year's day. I am glad the kids and grandkids were all there. I see you are ahead of me...with the tree down and everything put away. That's chore on Friday.

What the heck is a Google home mini? Oh wait I got it forgot the question....it's one of those you talk to it things.

Thank you Bekah I am with you and your mom and so is Chuck. Smart move on the antenna. That's what Margaret across the way just got was an antennae.

We buy a lot of stuff from Amazon but haven't gotten gifts from there...other than gift cards which were no problem.

Kudos to your mom's book and the 5 star reviews. I see a second book is in the works too. Good luck and I am sure it will be as wonderful as the first one.

No resolutions for me....other than getting back on track with workouts starting next week.

Molasses, I see you, me and Bekah are all "old school". Plus the fact someone will eventually, if they haven't done so already hack it!

Chuck and I are going to be in organization mode this year and tossing what we don't need (garbage for some and things that can be donated will be).

Well all caught up and now off to go work on the yearly "clean out the files" LOL

Chris, I see you had a lovely but cold Christmas. I saw that the area there was in a deep freeze and those wind chills gave me the shivers for sure. I don't miss it....and yeah I'd be hiding inside too. Glad you got to visit with family. I see you were in bed before the ball dropped.

Me too Chris, getting back to workouts next week and hoping to gain some weight.

Try some Pilates and weight workouts and walking Chris....that's how I got down from the higher weight I was at.

Yes all is well Chris, thanks just tummy acting up a lot lately. Think it might be asiago cheese but we shall see.

Brrrr Bekah I don't miss those minus temps. New book sounds interesting and I hope too it all works out.

Oh we are tossing only stuff we don't need or haven't used in ages, Bekah. I am like you, too many times I have given something away or tossed it only to find I could have used it 6 months to a year later.

The golden looks so sweet too, Bekah, just want to hug and kiss and play with him. So did you say "the dog" LOL Yeah I know you were polite....I am so bad....LOL Yeah I know the feeling we miss having a furbaby too. Sorry you haven't seen the newfie for a while. He will be happy to see you too I am sure.

Well all caught up and wishing everyone all the best for the New Year.

Sue

[Fitafter50]

Happy New Year, everyone!

Thanks for the good wishes, Sue. I don't have any problems doing eye drops--I've been wearing contacts for more than 40 years, so popping things in eyes is a piece of cake. I know what you mean though; I had to put drops in aunt's eyes for glaucoma, and it was something of an ordeal until I learned the trick of having her lie down and close her eyes and then open them after I'd already put the drops in the inside corner. The drops would then roll right in. Good luck with your workouts and weight gain plan. I know you will figure out a way to put a few pounds on--you are a smart cookie!

I don't like to throw things away either, Bekah. I don't mind giving them away, but I hate waste, so tossing is hard! I have on several occasions in the past year realized I could use something I'd already donated, but I usually manage to do without it anyway. I'm getting better at getting rid of stuff, which is good because the MN house is about 1/3 the size of this one! Good luck with venturing out of your comfort zone. That's a tough one for me, too, being naturally pretty shy.

No legalized recreational pot in NJ! The Instant Pot is a sort of combination cooker--I think you can pressure cook with it, as well as brown foods and then slow cook them. I don't know anyone who has one, but have seen many bloggers raving about them.

Glad to hear you had a nice holiday and are staying cozy, Chris! I'm sure you'll figure out what works for you as far as fitness.

Although I am still planning to clear stuff out, I've chosen a slightly different theme for new year. Instead of putting more expectations on myself, plan is to be kinder to myself, to pamper myself a bit and have more fun.

[whenlifewassimpler]

Hi again ladies,

Well here goes for January.......

As I said in December journal, I didn't do a November Report since no formal workouts were done just Real Life ones.

As for Weigh Ins for November and December:

November:

11/5/17 Sunday weigh in 112
11/12/17 Sunday weigh in 113
11/19/17 Sunday weigh in 113.5

December:

12/3/17 Sunday weigh in 113
12/10/17 Sunday weigh in 113
12/17/17 Sunday weigh in 113
12/24/17 Sunday weigh in 113
12/31/17 Sunday weigh in 113

As for January we are back on track with workouts on January 8th as the first week there's house stuff to do, shopping, cooking and decorations to come down on Friday.

As for workouts starting on January 8th, 2018....The first two weeks on MWF will be Whittle while you work, it used a band for the workout and a chair; 3 sets of 10 reps for Swivel Sculptor, Shoulder Shaper, Upper-body buffer, rear raiser, back attack and Rockin arm reach. It's a workout I have done before and it's a good one. For the last two weeks of the month of January, on MWF I will do another familiar workout that I have started many a new year with: 6 Resistance Band Moves for a Full Body Burn from WHM. It uses a handled band and the following moves: Air-Sit Alternating Row, Oblique Mixers, Lunging Chest Press, Sideways Walks with Bonus Biceps, Single Leg Balance with Overhead Press, and Single Side Leg Press.

I will also do a 15 to 20 minute walks on Tuesday and Thursday during the day. No more evening workouts.

Food goals: Food goals have not changed but remain the same...continue to take vitamin D. Plus doctor has now added Vitamin E also, and keep up the increase in the fruits and veggies in diet, and try some different type of veggies, which we have been doing well with. Also continue to try out some different recipes, which had we are bound and determined this year to do better with. I will also continue with the getting in chocolate several times a week. PB is no longer an eating option for me. As for desserts we have made a switch and am keeping portion controls as I need to. Our soups mixed with egg noodles are working out great giving up lots of veggies and the sauce is already included; in addition to getting 2 dinners out of a can. Plus tummy likes it too LOL We will continue to have them over other types of noodles, like little farfalle and ditalini pasta too.

We have made up a number of the following ideas for dinners and just adding to our menu. In addition we have a number of ideas for different bases to go over pasta, making casseroles, etc. Plus making calzones, and pastry filled with vegetables and other filling to add to our diet for even more variety. We did a test one and it worked out great.

Trying to continue a variety of foods in our diet. Doing very well getting fish into diet having it on most Friday's and have also been getting it in during the week also. In addition adding diced peppers, potatoes, corn, spinach and other veggies to go with the fish has worked out well too. Still have had to be careful on portions as stomach still rebels on occasion, hence no weight gain in 2017 and slowly increase portion sizes to maybe put some weight on. Some weeks it goes up but then comes right back down again. Wish me luck.

[whenlifewassimpler]

Hi again ladies,

Molasses, yeah when Chuck did mine he had me sit and tilt head and put it in the inside corner too. Yeah I am going to do best to get back up in the pounds. Unfortunately as I said to Chuck with losing inches I don't want to gain too much and unfortunately tummy isn't wanting that much anymore.

Thanks for the good wishes.

Oh Molasses, we donate most of the stuff. Some things though are too worn, or other stuff no longer working or used by anyone anymore..so out it goes.

Oh Molasses, I was shy when I was younger as I got older and gained more confidence I became more friendly. Witness when parents said I could have a party and I told close friends, but word got around and kids I just knew in HS showed up so we had over 200 kids in our backyard in the parking lot across the street (thankfully it was there....it was supposed to be a "temporary parking lot" yeah right as father and I said). However, no problems and parents asked me later. I said I know them all but many just by face and a hello Sue when I would walk by.

I only had 3 very close friends and a total of 12 good friends. Others I just knew!

Yup they are starting to open "pot dispensaries here" we shall see. Not like it isn't around anyway.

I like your new theme for the year and your plans to yourself, Molasses.

Well off I go to do meds, breathing and lay down.

Have a nice evening ladies,

Sue

[chriscandothis]

Hi All! I am taking one last day off of work. So far the new year is treating me well. For New Year's Eve we usually have some special food out. I chose to have a veggie plate and a fruit tray with some cheeses and crackers. So no huge weight gain over the holiday for me. Sue I would love to have those weight numbers!!! I am not far off but those last ten pounds...
Yesterday DH and I got outside for a walk. We went to the woods to avoid the wind chill (-17 to -22 F). It was nice in there and we got in an hour walk. We were running down the hills and that was fun. I worked up a sweat at least.
So for me I am starting to look at eating and planning to try to keep it healthy. I am working on 2/3 healthy and 1/3 whatever. I plan to get in more fitness related stuff but I am keep ing it open to how I feel at the time. Just something every day. After this past week of next to no activity that will be a huge improvement. I will keep you in the loop to how it is going as usual.
Sue great goals and workouts planned!
Mo that is a great theme for yourself. Enjoy! I have heard a lot about instant pots but I think I am fine without one. I need to use what I have more.
Oh Becky that is cold! Being social is a hard one to work on good luck. I too started out shy and fall back into a lot. You can do it though.
Have a great day all! Time to do nails and practice music. TTFN!

[young at heart]

Just a howdy to all and I see some of you are really cold temps too! Still cold here maybe I hope for only a week more:(( I don't mind snow but not this deadly cold:( sis up north has both though, lots and lots of snow and the cold. Doing best to keep warm although not too hard for me cause I'm hot anyway:) Need more insulation I guess in this old cabin. Heat costs money.
Wow Chris, sounds like fun:) Do you have lots of snow or are the trails just groomed so you can Run on them too?:) wish I had a snowy trail right out the door but hate trying to park van somewhere and probably getting stuck anyway. If I fall, snow to cushion the fall?:) Sounds like some good tips or plans too.
Mo, I think you would use a instant pot pretty much from what I read about them:) Since you like vegetables in all ways and rice etc. and the pressure part of it too:) Not me. old slow cooker is ok and I try not to cook too much:) I do have a nuwave hot plate? which I still really need to use since its suppose to be better on electricity and does things pretty quick and hot. an electric stove top is so slow. I'd rather have gas. But all electric here so bill is over a hundred bucks a month. Not the heat though, that oil which is enough too:( Love your theme for the year too! No resolutions for me either. I would not be good at putting drops in eyes though:( Dh can see ok in day but its the night stuff.
Bekah, sounds like a great book your mom and you have out?:)) I know a lady from work that got picked to illustrate for a book by a woman who had cerebal palsy and wanted to make a book for kids and had a mentor Dr. or? helping with it all but needed someone to draw the pics and she was chosen. I was surprised at how good she was also as she was pretty quiet at work so never knew to much although we would talk more and I talk online just to her now from work: ) I'm sure the 2nd one will be really just as great! I was and in certain situations now, very shy, and middle son is more so also. He interacts at work etc. but anxiety and depression kind of get to him down in GB. I wish he was closer as has more friends here:( But, I just wish he'd find someone who loves to do what he does just for the fun of biking or skiing etc. so he wouldn't have to go alone down there:( Hoping he gets to a closer hospital to work yet.
Sue, really good plans you always have and I wouldn't mind being way over what you weigh and I'd be happy as I'm too much over now:( Hard to put on weight if you dont' want to eat. I do hope you get some good sleep also but I'm sure all your cleaning uses up your calories also:) Hopefully you get to relax a bit these days? take care!
Bama, I see its colder there also but not as cold as here:) I know detroit was cold when we lived there but not this cold but felt worse as so damp air or? ) I see you got the tree down already:) IF I had one up, I'd probably leave it up longer but I leave cozy lights up all winter and who knows, probably all year:) Good night lights.
Son and wife did pick up the treadmill on their way back to Mn. anyway. I told them get Henry to use it for more exercise to tire the big dog out as he don't get too much, a walk later in day as son can only walk him I think. He's strong. So everyone is finally back to work today anyway. I wish I was too. Well, take care everyone and just do the best you can in the New Year ahead:) Thats all we can do. Watch the ice!

[gym-fanatic-2025]

YAH i am really excited about the second book. I WISH i could illustrate like your friend. i have taken the character and put her in an a christmas image i made with graphics. I was proud of myself doing that. ha ha but illustrating would be awesome. i quite like our illustrator. She is Italian and very sweet. We all get along really well. The second book will be a little bit more about the character and i think it will be sweet and pretty amusing. and with a good message still. Our illustrator said it sounds quite funny. ha ha

Maybe YAH your son in GB could do some meet up groups of things that interest him like a bike or ski group. They have meetup groups for pretty much everything in most cities.

[young at heart]

Hi, just checked up and yes, this lady who was picked for doing that in this book sure surprised me as she is so quiet and all and I think it has done a lot for her also to talk with the one doing the book and the Dr. or? who helps with getting it out and all too:) She does some painting etc. like older son also:) Yes, son in GB Would join any going biking etc. but his shifts are from 1 pm to 9 pm and they usually go about 5 pm or so:( On certain days. He used to go with a small group sometimes if he had the day off when he lived in town close to here. Most seem to come in pairs though too and then would end up at a bar/restaurant and he would go and listen to stories about their travels etc. and eat something but thankfully he doesn't drink anyway;) Not sure about GB though. He does live by a nice trail and all but I just hate when he's alone out there. Just praying he gets to move eventually anyway;) Thanks for the thoughts:) I don't know the title of your book but if Sue knows it, maybe she can give it to me or give email to you:) Would be nice to see it a bit:) take care out there!

[Boss Man]

Christmas trees should be left up until the 5th, a.k.a twelfth night and anyone who takes them down before then could be liable to get stoned to death with baubles

[chriscandothis]

Hi All and Happy Thursday!!!
Wednesday I got in three walks (two 20 minutes and one 30 minute). So I am getting back to a better routine. I have been working on water intake. I am terrible at remembering to drink. So I have been trying to get in 2 L a day. I drink one litre between breakfast and lunch and one litre between lunch and supper. I can't wait until bladder gets used to this.

Hi Bossman. No worries of me getting stoned to death. tree will be up until the 6th when I have time to take it down.
Hi YAH most of the trails we were on were packed down by peoples snowshoes. There are some cleaned trails around here ( lunchtime walks).
Hi Becky the book sounds like a great positive experience for you.

[chriscandothis]

Happy Friday all! It is 6 AM here and I have been up for a bit already. We had quite the winter storm yesterday and it is still blowing out there this morning. I have been out twice cleaning snow off the driveway. Work is delayed until 11:30. Just taking time with clean up out there. Yesterday I got walk to work and home again and will get the same today. I am still getting 2 litres of water in and it is getting easier. So far not a bad start to the year.

[Alabama 1]

Hi everyone, Just got caught up with a few of the posts.

Mo, I Haven't used air fryer yet but I got both kids one and they both say they love it . I want an instant pot also. Maybe later . I remember mother cooking on her pressure cooker but was always afraid of it . I think the instant pot is better then that . I also have the Alexa on Kindle but haven't use it yet . I love google home mini . I mean "hey google , recipe for beef stew please" or Hey Google lplay me some country music . I am not interested in having it unlock door etc . I don't even know that if it can do that . I love it for music in kitchen since CD player died. son has the google min and also the echo and likes the mini better .

It is really cold here and we have been staying in. No YMCA just working out at home . We are going out tonight with friends . Friend called and said she had cabin fever to meet her at this sports bar so we well be doing that tonight .

Chris Check out some of the Leslie Sansone walking videos on You tube . They are really great if you can't get outside because of weather . I did 4 miles today . they aren't just walking programs you do a lot of other moves also . OH I see the time I need to get moving . BBL