My Least Favorite Exercises - And Why I Do Them

It's only been within the last few months that I have become compliant with exercising. During the pandemic, exercise has become even more important for my physical and emotional health. I try to do a variety of exercises every day:

1) ten to fifteen minutes of walking outside

2) a mix of sitting and standing balance, leg, and hip exercises

3) bed exercises (some with one pound weights) that work my legs and hips

4) climbing stairs

5) walking in place (indoors and outdoors)

6) arm exercises with one pound weights

7) using a pedal exerciser

I don't do all of this every day.

But occasionally I actually do all seven.

I try to get at least 3,000 steps in daily, with a mixture of walking inside and outside, pedaling, and sometimes stairs.

Plus I do the bed exercises every day, and a set of standing balance, hip, and leg

exercises.

I have become very compliant with the balance and leg exercises, and the walking/pedaling.

But I am struggling with the arm exercises.

I have not been doing them every day, and I think because of that, they are difficult, and it has been too easy for me to say, "Oh, I'll try them tomorrow."

I'm working to change that mentality.

My test results show that exercise IS helping my bones.

I had a Reclast infusion three years ago.

Since then, I have regrown bone in my hips every year.

But I lost a little bone in my arms last year.

I believe that could change if I did my exercises every day.

I need to keep trying.

I did my arm exercises yesterday and today.

Yesterday I did ten reps of each type.

Today I did twenty of each.

I want to do twenty every day.

I want it to get easier.

But even if it doesn't, I need to keep doing it.

When it comes to my other exercises, my least favorite ones are bridges and squats (at least my version of a squat).

They're not easy.

But I firmly believe they are good for me.

So I keep doing them.

Listening to music or an audio book, or watching television is very helpful when I am exercising.

It makes the time go by faster, and keeps me from focusing on any discomfort that I'm experiencing.

Even though I struggle some days, I am very grateful for my ability to do any form of exercise.

librarianintx

Cheat Foods Taste So Good!

I've mentioned before that I'm dealing with high potassium of unknown origin.

My kidneys and adrenal glands seem to be working fine, which is great news.

But I have been unable to eat many foods in my diet for months: potatoes, tomatoes, tomato sauce, bananas, avocado, beans, milk, chocolate, etc. It has been a difficult situation.

But now my doctor is allowing me one cheat food per day.

Hooray!

It has been so nice to add some foods back in.

One would think that chocolate would be the first food I would return to, but I haven't.

I've been adding healthier options - usually 1/3 of a cup of beans, or a medium banana, or a dish with mushrooms in it. Occasionally a few bites of avocado.

I'm eating a snack that has cocoa in it, which has enough of a chocolate taste to satisfy my cravings but doesn't have potassium.

When you haven't been able to eat a certain food - and then you can - missing that taste makes it so wonderful to have it again! There is something called mindful eating - when you just focus on the food you are ingesting, and not doing other activities while you eat, like reading or watching television or scrolling through social media. I have been practicing mindful eating lately, and that has felt really good. The food tastes better when you practice mindful eating, and it is a more enjoyable experience than just shoveling food in while you're focused on another activity.

Last night I ate refried beans with shredded cheese. I used to eat beans with cheese, tomatoes, AND avocados - potassium city! I miss the tomatoes and avocado, but the beans are so creamy and tasty - YUM! Because I can only eat about a 1/3 of a cup, one can lasts for three meals.

Try mindful eating. It is a very pleasant experience, and good for your digestion too.

librarianintx   

ATX TV Festival - Shows featured / mentioned

Here are the shows that were featured / mentioned during the festival.
Because the weekend was virtual, we couldn't see any screenings.

Current shows:
New Amsterdam - NBC / Hulu
Unbelievable - Netflix (limited series)
The Chi - Showtime
Nancy Drew - CW
Stargirl - DC Universe
Vida - Starz (ended)
You - Netflix
Mandelorian - Disney+
Search Party - HBO Max
Sherman's Showcase - AMC
David Makes Man - OWN
Grownish - Freeform
Snowfall - FX
Diary of a Future President - Disney+
Bold Type - Freeform and Hulu
Room 104 - HBO
Psych - USA (ended)
Black Lady Sketch Show - HBO
Dave - Hulu

New / Upcoming shows:
Call Me Kat - Fox - premiere date?
Taste the Nation - Hulu - June 18
Perry Mason - HBO - June 21
The Good Lord Bird - Showtime - August 9 (limited series)
I'll Be Gone in the Dark - HBO- June 28 (limited series)
I May Destroy You - HBO - (available now)
P-Valley - Starz - July 12
Outcry - Showtime - July 5 (limited series)
Legendary - HBO Max (available now)
Little Fires Everywhere - Hulu (available now, limited series)
Barkskins - National Geographic (available now)
Dads - Apple TV+ - June 21 (documentary)

librarianintx

ATX TV Festival

My person is super excited.

"ATX TV...from the Couch!" starts tomorrow!

ATX TV is an annual event, similar to SXSW, but on a much smaller scale, and all about tv. There are screenings, premieres, and panels with writers, producers, stars, and others in the TV industry. Last year Lou Diamond Phillips, Phylicia Rashad, Eric Dane, Zendaya, and Kevin Bacon were some of the stars in attendance.

My person attended for the first time last year, and she loved it! She was thrilled to be part of a conference, to be downtown wearing a badge, meeting new people, seeing new shows before their tv premieres. She reveled in the fact that she was able to walk a few blocks and eat yummy grilled cheese sandwiches and fries at the Alamo Drafthouse theatre. She had the rare opportunity (for her) of being downtown at night.

She had been nervous beforehand, wondering if she could handle it.

She not only survived.

She thrived.

So this year the festival is all virtual.

She will miss the electricity of the in-person events.

She has learned how fulfilling it can be to feel the anxiety and walk through it.

But she is still looking forward to it.

And best of all - this year it is free!

She'll be busy, so I'll be in my usual spot in her room all weekend. 

It's okay. 

Me and the other stuffies will have our own party.

She still hasn't noticed when some of her snacks are gone.

Little Bow

New Shirt

My person wore a new shirt today. Land's End. Baby blue. Nice color, but pink would have been better. Soft, comfy shirt. 

No one saw her except her roommate and me. But she wore it anyway. Because she wasn't wearing it for anyone. She was wearing it for herself. Wearing new clothes feels good. It made her happy. It's a summer shirt, and today was a warm, summery day. Now is the time to wear a shirt like this.

She even wore a dress yesterday! Simply because she wanted to.

She could have saved the shirt until the pandemic is over and she is back in the community - going to work and being social with friends and family. But who knows when that will be? Probably not this season. 

So she decided not to let the shirt sit in the closet. 

She chose to wear it, to enjoy it, to feel good in it.

I just want her to be happy.

Little Bow

Great Book!

My person highly recommends this book. She read it as an audiobook, but it's available in print and as an e-book. It's not new; it's been out for a few years. It's a novel but based on real life events - historical fiction, she called it.

"Don't spoil the plot," she admonished me.

"I won't," I replied indignantly. 

There are books you can read about the real events that inspired the novel.

Little Bow

It Finally Came!

My person is SO excited!!

Her London to Vegas Def Leppard DVD / CD box set just arrived - a few days early after being delayed due to COVID-19.

She is thrilled.

I reminded her that she still needs to exercise, but she's ignoring me.

I can understand - These guys are rockin'!

Little Bow

Survivor: Winners at War finale: My Thoughts

Okay, so I'm only two and a half weeks late in commenting about the Survivor finale. That's not too bad, right?

I really enjoyed the season. There were so many good players, obviously, because they were all previous winners of the show.

Tony was not my favorite player, but he is definitely a worthy winner. I am very happy for him and his family. I think he is a very entertaining player to watch. I enjoyed his mad searches for hidden immunity idols, and his spying on his fellow contestants.

I thought Natalie had an amazing journey this season, and I was happy to see her make her way back into the game. I would not have been unhappy to see her win, but I agree with many fans that her decision not to make fire against Tony likely cost her $2,000,000.

So who did I want to win? I had several people that I was rooting for, including Jeremy, Nick, Ethan, Yul, and Denise. It's hard for me to narrow it down from those five, but if I had to choose one, I think I would say Jeremy. But I really love them all. Actually, there is only one person that I didn't like this season. I understand why Sandra was chosen to be on this season. She is a two-time winner. But her attitude drives me crazy. And it was disheartening to see her quit when she was voted out, although it did not surprise me. She considers herself the Queen of the show, but Denise earned the title of Queen Slayer with one of the greatest blindsides the series has ever seen.

Of course one of my favorite parts of the season was seeing the families reunited, especially the players on the Edge of Extinction getting to spend time with their families. That was one of the best segments ever in the history of the show.

Thanks for a great season, Survivor, and congratulations to all the contestants who appeared on the show.

"Little Bow Chronicles" - Friday afternoon work - 5/29

Little Bow says, "I spent the afternoon with my person while she worked. She spoke to a client, updated a fact sheet, and found some online resources that made her very happy. 

Here's one of them:

One Day University

https://www.onedayu.com/

Learning is fun!

Having access to so many enrichment opportunities remotely is fantastic!

That's what she said to me, anyway.

This one isn't free, but it's reasonably priced.

Now her work day is done, and it's the weekend!"

"Little Bow Chronicles" - Intro - 5/29/20

Probably a short-lived series, because there may be a limitation of places in the apartment that I can photograph her, since we're both at home, living under the threat.

But here goes.

This is Little Bow.

I call her my emotional support animal.

Today she came out of my room and hung out with me while I worked.

Little Bow is looking for "CTRL" in her life. 😀

But she's still happy.

librarianintx

"Living Under the Threat" - life in a bubble - 5/14/20

If you are around my age, you might remember David Vetter. Likely you don't remember him by name; you knew him as "the boy in the plastic bubble." Not the cheesy 1976 movie with John Travolta. David Vetter was the real boy in the plastic bubble. You can read more about him here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Vetter

Basically, David was born with an inherited condition that made him extremely vulnerable to germs. His older brother died of the condition. So when David was born, doctors decided that the best chance he had at life was to live in a bubble, without any human touch.

He lived in a hospital for the first few years of his life. Everything he came into contact with - clothes, diapers, toys, food, had to be sanitized first. Medical personnel and his family touched him wearing big, thick gloves that were attached to the bubble. As he grew older, a series of bubbles were constructed so he could move around. He did everything in these bubbles: slept, ate, played. Eventually he attended school remotely. NASA designed a space suit that allowed him to go outside and explore. But the suit was uncomfortable, and there were so many protocols to follow that he only wore it a few times.

When he was 12, David agreed to an experimental bone marrow treatment. He did not want to live in a bubble forever. Unfortunately he became ill a few months after the transplant, and was removed from his series of bubbles. He died a few weeks later. Much was learned from his life, and death. Children with his condition can now live normal lives.

I mention David Vetter because I cannot imagine living without human touch for twelve years. I have now lived without human touch for a little more than two months, and it is so difficult. I am physically distancing from the two people I come into contact with: my roommate and my caregiver. I am doing this as an added precaution, because I am high risk for the virus. The last time I remember touching anyone was March 10 - my birthday. And I don't know when it will be safe for me to stop the physical distancing. 

Most of us need physical touch in some form - a hug, a pat on the back or arm, hand holding, etc. Physical touch keeps us grounded, connected, it positively impacts our mental and emotional well-being. I think not only of David Vetter, but also people in psychiatric hospitals or solitary confinement in prisons. They are severely isolated as well, sometimes for years or even decades. I cannot imagine what that feels like. I don't want to experience it any longer than I have to. And that's part of the problem. I don't know how long I need to.

I am a person who likes touch.
I like to hug.
I like to be close to people.
Not uncomfortably close.
I don't invade personal space.

I like to hang out with people. I'm in an introvert; I need my alone time. But I enjoy spending time with others. My activities with friends and family are invaluable to me: eating out, going to book clubs, movies, concerts, etc. I miss all of that tremendously. Video chat is great, but it doesn't replace in person contact.

I am so grateful that I get to spend some time with my roommate: watching tv shows, movies, and talking, but even he and I are usually at least half a room apart.
No sitting on the couch together.
No hugs in times of celebration or sorrow or anxiety.
No silly times in our small kitchen together.

Together, but separate.   

librarianintx

"Living Under the Threat" - daily grades - 5/14/20

As I'm climbing into bed at night, I've started reviewing the day and assigning it a grade. I go over what was bad about the day, and then I outline what was good about the day. And then I think about how to make the next day better.

Here is the review from yesterday:

Grade: B-

The bad:
My presentation was marred by technical issues.
I was really tired.
My legs were hurting. I was in pain.
We didn't get some of the groceries we ordered.
I had to do my exercises late.

But here was the good:
I survived the presentation, and I was glad for the opportunity.
I was in pain, but I still took a walk, and I exceeded my step goal.
We got most of the groceries we ordered.
I did my exercises, and took all my medicine.
My roommate and I watched the season finale of Survivor, and we were satisfied with the outcome.
I read thirty pages of a new book. 

And my goals for today:
Drink more water
Do my exercises earlier
Eat more fruit
Find time to read

I start with the bad, and finish with the good, because that is important. We focus on the negative. We have a negativity bias. And focusing on the bad is terrible for us. It weakens our immune system. It affects our mental and emotional health. It can make us feel worse about ourselves and our existence. We need to focus more on the good. So I start with the negative and finish with the positive. And I try to have more good than bad points, even on a day that doesn't get a good grade. I think of the bad events, but then when I list the good events of the day, I'm turning some of the negative aspects into positive ones, such as "My presentation didn't go as planned, but I still did it."

Find a way to see the negative in a more positive light.
Doing this will reduce stress and anxiety -
And will build resilience. 

librarianintx

"Living Under the Threat" - Good Saturday - 5/3/20

Yesterday was quite a good day.

I did ALL my exercises AND pedaled for ten minutes BEFORE noon!

I made a cheese omelette for breakfast, and ate fresh blueberries with lunch.

I finished reading one book and started another.

I spent some time on the patio.

I started watching "The Roosevelts" on PBS.

I finished organizing a stack of grocery receipts.

So I was productive, focused, and I did not procrastinate. 

I made good use of my time.

I had a "me" day, and it was enjoyable.

Except when I thought about the fact that I'm having this nice day at home because I don't feel it's safe for me to go anywhere.

Except when I went on Facebook and saw people getting together with friends, going out to eat, having parties.

Except when the reality hit me that life will go back to at least some sense of normalcy for some people, but not for me.

Except when I thought about the unknowns of how long I will have to stay home and how will I know when it's safe for me to be out in public again.

Except when I think about the fact that rejoining society for me will mean taking public transportation, which will put me more at risk.

So it was a great day, except when all of these "excepts" pushed their way into my consciousness.

Each time, I tried to take a breath, push them away, and focus on something else.

The "unknowns" will become "knowns" in time.

I have to be patient.

And continue to find my happiness, my fulfillment at home.

#mindfulness

librarianintx

"Living Under the Threat" - storms - 4/29

I didn't sleep well.
I was anticipating the storm.
It's what I always do.
Then I was awake during the storm.

So I slept in.
I'm starting work late today.
There aren't any perks to living during a pandemic.
But there are perks to telecommuting.
As long as I get my work done, I can basically start whenever I want to.
It is quite a luxury for me.
When I go to the office, because of riding para-transit, I have to be ready at a set time.
No way to change it.
I either ride, or I stay home, or I pay for a ride share.
I don't have any other options.

It was very helpful to have the option to sleep in a bit this morning.

Today will be beautiful.

librarianintx

"Living Under the Threat" - patio - 4/26

My patio is small and unassuming. Maybe 100 square feet, probably less. Orange walls (I did NOT choose the color.) It is sparsely furnished with three green plastic chairs and a short, white, plastic table. The view is the apartment parking lot - parked cars, a row of garages, pavement. But there are trees that are currently lush and green due to the abundant spring rain. Today the sky is a brilliant, cloudless blue. The temperature is in the 80's. A picture-perfect day in the ATX.

My patio isn't much to look at or admire, but it is my haven these days. I am out here as much as possible, especially on the weekends.

I read.

I look at social media.

I talk on the phone and video chat.

I watch shows.

I do my exercises.

This morning I had breakfast on the patio.

I blog out here too. ☺️

My patio is my happy place these days.

I could wish for a bigger patio, with better furnishings and a fancier view.

But I choose to be content and fulfilled with what I have and where I am right now.

#livinginthemoment

librarianintx

"Living Under the Threat" - virtual events - 4/25

It is truly astounding how many virtual events there are now.

Everything from concerts to plays to zoo and museum tours to celebrities reading books to kids.
You can take free online classes - art, singing, sign language, history, meditation, yoga, and so much more
There are wonderful opportunities out there.
There really is no reason to be bored.

I have been compiling these resources, but I haven't taken the time to do anything virtually except for work meetings and webinars.

On Thursday I took 30 minutes out of my work day and viewed the virtual tour of the American Writer's Museum.
Oh my goodness!!
I didn't even know there was an American Writer's Museum!
It is SO cool!!
I want to go there in person.
There are so many interactive elements.
I could be there all day.
The virtual tour was super neat.

I want to make more time for stuff like this.
No time like the present.
At some point I hope I can go back to a more regular life.
So this is my opportunity to take advantage of all these free resources.

A few events I'm currently interested in:
A virtual tour of Frank Lloyd Wright houses
sign language classes
exercise videos - especially chair yoga
meditation exercises
museum tours
PBS 7 part series on the Roosevelt family - This aired a few years ago. Normally you would have to pay to watch online, but it's currently free and available until May 25th. Each episode is 2 hours long, so I need to get watching! 

Thursday afternoon was also great because I did a video chat with my two book club friends. I didn't know if Facebook would let me chat with both of them at the same time, but it worked because we had created a group for the three of us. It wasn't the same as being with them in person, but it was wonderful to see their faces and spend some time with them. It was social interaction, human connection.

What we need so desperately these days.

Physical distance is what we must do for our health and safety.
But communication is something most of us need to still feel connected.
Bonding
Sharing
Commiserating over the negative
Celebrating the positive

Getting through it - #alonetogether

librarianintx












#alonetogether

"Living Under the Threat" - mask update - 4/25

I finally ventured outside wearing a mask yesterday -
I actually went on TWO walks in the apartment complex!
The first was a short excursion BEFORE work - shocking!
The second was a full circle around half the complex, which I haven't done in several days.

I did okay wearing the mask.
It will take more getting used to.
It feels so weird.
Did we ever think we all would have to wear a mask when we go outside?
We don't have to wear a mask when exercising, but I think it's a good idea for me to wear one.
I just have to get accustomed to it.
Learn how to breathe in it.
Not feel claustrophobic.

It felt good to get out and walk.
It was a beautiful, sunny spring day in the ATX.

librarianintx

"Living Under the Threat" - goals part 3 - 4/25

There was one day this week when I actually achieved all of my goals before 10 pm!
I was so happy that day!
I do NOT like procrastinating!
I'm pleased that I'm still doing most of my exercises every day, and taking most of my medicine, but I often wait until late in the day to get everything done, and there is no need to do that.
I have all day - why do I wait until the last minute sometimes?
Doesn't make me happy, but I still try to give myself credit for doing the activities that hopefully will keep me healthy.

librarianintx

"Living Under the Threat" - goals follow up - 4/21/20

So how did I do on my goals list from yesterday?

Good.
But not perfect.
Story of my life.

I had six goals.
Really, I had seven.
I forgot to include taking all my medicine as a goal.
I did that.

I did everything except one - learning a new exercise.
I didn't get to that one.
And I had to stay up late to get everything else accomplished.
But I did it.

I did most of my exercises outside on the patio for the first time ever.
Does that count as a new exercise?
No.
Don't cheat.

Still, six out of seven goals met is pretty darn good.
Today I need to do it all earlier, so I'm not trying to finish everything when it's late and I need to go to bed.

Always room for improvement.

librarianintx

"Living Under the Threat" - goals - 4/20/20

I've been procrastinating, and I hate that.
So here are my goals for the day.
Often my goals list is too long and unattainable, and then I feel bad about myself.
I have endeavored to make this list realistic.

1) eat fruit
2) drink at least 32 ounces of liquid
3) do all my exercises
4) try one new exercise
5) get my steps in (by walking outside or pedaling)
6) finish the book I'm reading

I can do it!

Happy Monday!

I'll post my results tomorrow.

Wish me luck!

librarianintx