June 9, 2023

#FIT Readers Weekly Check-in April 11- Debbie

I haven’t checked in for a while because I’ve been at what feels like a complete standstill as I can’t do a whole lot of exercise. I haven’t wanted to post as I don’t want to sound whiny but since I’m now at the stage where I’m moving forward, here’s what is going on:

I’ve had to be careful about my knee since I was 21 (pedestrian meets car, knee one of the unhappy victims of that collision). In the last year or two, however, it had started to swell and then ache just a bit- more frequently than I would like. I would treat it my usual way and even got some meds from the doctor when that stopped working. Unfortunately, now it just won’t stop hurting- and yep, you guessed it! Arthritis has officially kicked in! So… I’m researching natural alternatives (arnica cream is THE best!) and taking a glucosamine supplement. The doctor’s orders? Don’t bend, squat, lift, twist, turn, or expose it to cold or wet weather. Um….

I’ve rested and rested but now it’s gardening season and you know what? I’m readyto move just a bit no matter what. So in the meantime, I’ve tried to watch my caloric intake quite a bit and last week I tried walking and then gardening.  My knee didn’t seem any worse than it has been so today I will do round two of my gardening that requires squatting, bending, etc and I’m just going to start taking it slowly from here. Wish me luck!

I’ll continue to check in periodically with how I’m doing. Keep up with Kelley and I here at CK2S Kwips and Kritiques all year long as we both work towards a happier healthier lifestyle!

#FIT Readers Weekly Check-in February 7- Debbie

The last couple weeks have been challenging as I’ve had some slight physical ailments that have me on a reduced exercise regime. However, today I should be back into the full swing of things again. Regardless, the key thing is that I have persevered so far this year in the year long challenge to better health hosted by The Geeky Blogger and That’s What I’m Talking About. ! I despise exercise and no, it’s not a matter of finding the “right” exercise for me to enjoy. I’d seriously rather be sitting on my butt reading my Kindle than exercising so just for me to keep going at it is a great accomplishment!

I have found one thing to help ease the mental pain of exercising a bit. I’m continuing to use my wonderful new bluetooth speaker my husband got me for Christmas along with my Kindle Fire to listen to my audio books. I’m not as thrilled about my current read- it’s a zombie book, of course (I listen to lots of zombie books!) but it does help encourage me to actually move my rear end to even start the exercise. I’m using a combo of workout videos, mainly boxing, pilates, and yoga.

And seriously… check your calories! ARGH! I checked on my favorite sandwich at Panera and I’d be better off eating a little burger at 5 Guys! Yes, more things I’ll have to keep an eye on as my job often has me on the road and packing a lunch just isn’t an option many times.

I’ll continue to check in periodically with how I’m doing. Keep up with Kelley and I here at CK2S Kwips and Kritiques all year long as we both work towards a happier healthier lifestyle!

#FitReaders Weekly Check In Week 4 – January 25 – Kelley

I missed last week obviously, but I didn’t want to miss another week without a check-in. I have completed the first four weeks in the year long challenge to better health hosted by The Geeky Blogger and That’s What I’m Talking About.

Goal refresher:

1. Be ready to run my first half marathon in April. I did change the plan I am using to one that is 4 days of running and one of cross training, with two rest days.

2. Lose at least 45 lbs over the year.

I had my first 10K in several years on January 17. I finished the race in about 4 minute UNDER my goal which was great! I also only walked maybe about 5 minutes total of the entire race. That officially ended my Couch to 10K program.

The final week of my 10K program and the first week of my half marathon training were the same week but it all worked out. I’ve still only been managing 3 running days with my schedule, but I did get my cross training day in and hit the total number of miles expected for week 1. Week 2 was off to a great start until a few days ago when I injured myself. I strained the tendon in my left knee, which brought by training to a screeching halt for at least a week. I have another 10K on February 1 which I may end up walking. After I finish the race, I’ll decide if I need another full week off like the doctor suggested or if I feel like I can start training again without risk of further injury.

There likely won’t be an update next week since I can’t exercise, but I’ll plan to post after my upcoming race!

Keep up with Debbie and I here at CK2S Kwips and Kritiques all year long as we both work towards a happier healthier lifestyle.

#FitReaders Weekly Check In Week 2 – January 11 – Kelley

I can’t guarantee I’ll remember to post every week but we’ll see if I manage it even every couple weeks at least. When I do remember to post, it will be on Sundays most likely, since my workout week runs Sunday to Saturday. I have completed my first week in the year long challenge to better health hosted by The Geeky Blogger and That’s What I’m Talking About. I kept my goals pretty generic to make them more doable for me.

My biggest goal is to be ready to run my first half marathon in April. That involves building endurance and cardio 6 days/week. Running 3 days and 3 days cross training. So it’ll keep me busy through April for sure. By then I will have hopefully relearned good habits to carry me through the year. I’d also like to lose a good 45 lbs to be back at my ideal weight.

This first week I didn’t manage my 6 days, but I did get in 3. Ran 4.5 miles Sunday and Wednesday and did a 5K Saturday with some friends. Next week I have my first 10K in about 4-5 years and I’m hoping to run the entire thing. That will be the official end of my Couch to 10K program and the start of my Half Marathon training.

Keep up with Debbie and I here at CK2S Kwips and Kritiques all year long as we both work towards a happier healthier lifestyle.

#FitReaders: Weekly Check-in Jan 8 2015- Debbie

I’m not sure how good I’ll be at doing weekly check ins but giving this a try! For this past week ending Jan 8, I’ve managed to exercise at least once every other day.  I absolutely hate exercising and have realized that it is just something I’ll never enjoy but it was far easier to do it with a good audio book going! I’ve never read DUNE before and the audible version is so good that a couple days it was my sole motivation to get myself up and exercising!

Food-wise, I managed to pack my meal for work 3 out of the 5 days so that definitely meant healthier eating choices.  I’m gradually working on detoxing my  body and getting myself back onto a good health program so I’ve also been drinking at least some of my suero viv daily.

I can tell a difference in how I’m feeling and that’s the most positive thing of all!

#FitReaders Commitment to Health 2015 – Debbie

Okay, last year I really let things slide and starting eating unhealthy again and I can feel it with my health. It’s a new year and time to get back into eating healthy and exercising. I’ve already gotten started back with my Pilates and yoga so hopefully having a regular check in will keep me at least somewhat accountable. This challenge is hosted by Felicia, AKA The Geeky Blogger with a co-host at That’s What I’m Talking About and the program is expanding to include any and all kinds of fitness, instead of focusing on walking like last year (which I did NOT do, unfortunately).  I am not good at regular updates but will try to check in and at least seeing this will hopefully make me more accountable this year!  So… here I go, exercising, eating healthy, and of course reading this new year!

#FitReaders Commitment to Health 2015 – Kelley

I am absolutely horrible about being consistent with regular posts and I always fail miserably at updates. But, I’m trying again. My good friend Felicia, AKA The Geeky Blogger is again hosting a year-long fitness challenge at her website. This year she added a co-host at That’s What I’m Talking About and the program is expanding to include any and all kinds of fitness, instead of focusing on walking like last year. Since I am training to do my first ever half marathon in April, this year-long challenge will hopefully keep me accountable. Follow along with me right here at CK2S Kwips and Kritiques and see how I do.

Book Blog Walkers Week 1 Summary

30 Day Slimmer by Thanksgiving Challenge with Leslie Sansone’s Walk at Home

Week 1:

Well I finished my first week of the book blog walker fitness challenge my good friend Felicia over at the Geeky Blogger Book Blog is hosting for us blogging babes.  I didn’t do as well as I would have liked, but anything is better than the nothing I have been doing! This week’s fitness schedule was 6 days with three being cardio only and three being cardio and strength training. I’ve had an insanely busy (but fun!) weekend so I didn’t find any time to squeeze in my workouts. But I did get in 4 days out of six, so that’s still pretty good. Hopefully this week I’ll get in the full seven days.

There is still time if you want to join us! Just start with us now and you’ll still be doing pretty well on track for healthier living!

Book Blog Walkers

A friend of mine, Felicia, AKA The Geeky Blogger, mentioned a couple weeks ago, about a new fitness challenge she was participating in, the Walk It Off in 30 Days Challenge, that starts October 1. I’ve been bemoaning my health for a while now. It got progressively worse as I dealt with untold difficulties in my work life for the past couple years. As a result, I got depressed, lazy, and stopped caring about what I ate, exercising, etc, which I had been a bit obsessive about for a long time, and gained way too much weight. I’ve been saying for a while I needed to do something about it, but what can I say, I’m inherently lazy and much prefer sitting on my butt reading, watching TV, and/or crocheting. When she told me about this 30 day challenge I started thinking… maybe this would be the kick in the butt I needed to get myself going again and rebuild those healthy habits I used to be so careful about.

Then, Felicia mentioned making it a book blogger “event” and challenging other bloggers to participate. So I decided, “what the heck?” I like challenges but the whole inherently lazy thing means that’s always my first thought. So this challenge gives me incentive, accountability, and friends to participate with for the month.

I’m not going to repeat everything posted on her blog, but I will link you to her page here, where she details her plans. And I will just copy one sement of her page here:

“For the month of October I will be following the hashtag #bookblogwalkers on both Facebook and Twitter!  If you decide to play along then just use that hashtag! If you want to include Leslie Sansone’s hashtag, it is #whyiwalkathome”

I’m not going to make promises I can’t keep and say that I’ll post daily, but I WILL make a point to post at least once a week, with an update on how I am doing with my challenge.

Even better… why don’t you join us and have some fun getting healthy?