It’s Friday, time to look back over the blessings of the week with Susanne at Living to Tell the Story and other friends.
What better way to end the first week of a new month than by counting blessings? Here are a few from the last week:
1. Progress. When I first started going to the gym near the end of February, I had to push myself to make it eight minutes on the bike. This week I got up to 20! And I finally reached my goal of 5 minutes on the rowing machine after that. I walk a few laps before, between, and after those.
2. A very productive Saturday. I got most of the weekly housekeeping done in a day.
3. Meals out – or rather, brought in. Not to sound whiny, but the main cook in a household doesn’t get weekends, holidays, or vacations off, unless we travel somewhere, so I regard buying restaurant meals once a week or so as a much-appreciated break. We had Mexican food Saturday night, then Jim brought home a Little Caesar’s pizza after church Sunday night.
4. A good doctor’s visit. This week I was scheduled for a follow-up appointment 6 months after my last physical, where they were concerned about my blood sugar and cholesterol levels. They were elevated, and though not in a danger zone, needed to be addressed before they did get dangerous. That’s one reason I started exercising regularly. We didn’t do the blood work today (no one had told me to come fasting…so I’ll do that one morning in the next few days), but by their records I’ve lost some weight since last time. Not enough to break any records, but enough that they were pleased. It’s good to hear, “Good work! Keep it up!” as opposed to warnings.
5. Timed naps. I can’t seem to get through the day without a nap, even though I do feel more energized from exercising. For a while I tried going to bed a little earlier – but then I just ended up waking up earlier. So now when I get drowsy during the day, usually at my desk, I set the timer on my phone for 20-30 minutes, then set some music to play, and then recline in my desk chair. That has worked out well – I get just enough of a nap to pick up and go again, but not so much that I lose a good chunk of the afternoon.
Happy Friday!
Stray Thoughts 
Yay — lots of positives this week! Exercise bike is what I do 6 days per week, and what makes it “do-able” is the reading stand on it. I know you can’t do that at the exercise center, so kudos to you for 20 minutes. I am sure that’s not easy. We eat out once each week, after church. I know what you mean about really appreciating that after cooking all week. Yay too on your good medical report! May that continue 🙂
So great that you are being so committed to the gym. I couldn’t do 20 minutes on the bike. I’m glad you are watching your lab values. I wish I’d been a bit more diligent when I was younger. Have a great day.
I enjoyed reading your encouraging faves this week. Congratulations on consistency at the gym. It’s good that you are already feeling the positive results.
Good to hear the positivity and that the exercise regime is working. Keep up the good work. I find if I sit down during the afternoon I’m likely to nod off too!
Good job at the gym and losing some weight. It’s great to take baby steps.
Love the idea of timed naps – wonder how that would go over at the church office? 😉
Well, maybe I could nap during lunch hour!
That was great about the doctors visit.
Have a great weekend. 🙂 I love timed naps too!
I have been more tired during the dayy too and my doc says it is very common during menopause or post menopause. something that is working for me is less coffee ( even thpigh i LOVE it) and flaxseed oil with omega 3-6-9 capsules. those also brought my “bad” cholesterol down!! yay for working out! that is awesome! keep it up! loved your list today. have a happy weekend.
Great idea for the naps! I love a good nap in the afternoon, too. I’m encouraged by your gym time and good doctor’s reports. I’m in the same boat and had a doctor’s visit last week. I got a fairly good report, but the lack of exercise since last time definitely showed.
We do take out once a week, too. You’re so right, the cook deserves a break, too!
Good news about the weight loss. Here’s hoping for lower cholesterol, too.
I’m impressed with the progress at the gym. That’s my goal–get into a regular exercise program more than just our 3 mile walks.
Yay for the cooking relief too.
Way to go on sticking to the exercise! Developing new habits always takes work. And a great reward of hearing good stuff at the doctors. I only go 3 times a week to the gym but what a difference it’s made. My hubby is sweet in making sure we either have take out or go out to eat once a week so that I can have a break. It’s a nice blessing for sure.
I’ve tried napping while Tirzah Mae naps during the day and have found it very difficult to do so, despite feeling exhausted and crabby by the time late afternoon rolls around. I’ve found that something similar to your timed naps is helpful for me to get over that hump. I really don’t often fall asleep, but the twenty minutes of rest time off my feet makes a huge difference.
I’m impressed that you can take short naps — I usually wake from one wondering which time zone I’ve flown into. Good results and encouragement from your doctor are terrific! I hope your blood results show your efforts as well. So glad there were a few meals you weren’t responsible for.