Welcome to Feel Better Friday - Week three already.
If you pop in to my blog on days other than Friday you will know we have had the wonderful news that my chemo is coming to an end early! So I only have two more rounds to go. Good news always makes me feel better - which is good as I'm staring down another week of bleh at the moment.
This week rather than any diet changes or exercises to add I have a couple of things for you to think about as I for sure don't want this to just be a long list of "extra" stuff to try and fit into a busy life. It takes time to make changes and really this is all about trying to find a way to feel better - we all want that right ?
Check ups
In the news lately has been lots about the changes to health insurance - and obviously we are following those very closely as it will affect us so I have been reading a variety of different commentaries.
Interestingly ( and I'm cross I didn't keep the links ) women tend to be the users of "extras" much more than men - but men tend to be better at getting the "once" a year check from their Dr than women do.
I thought about that - It's true in our house for sure - Richard knows what his cholesterol level is, his weight, his blood type, he has a regular colonoscopy because of family history - but prior to my diagnosis I didn't know any of those things - nor did I ever have them checked. I went to the Dr for illness. If I thought I might need an antibiotic or I something I might need a prescription drug for. I hadn't had blood work done - No clue what my cholesterol was - high or not - boarding on diabetic? No idea.
Mind you apparently men tend to just do the yearly check so I'm pretty sure that's not the best way to go either - needs to be balance.
Here is a good list of things to get checked - and it goes much beyond the Pap and Mammogram check that we all know to do. So while I'm all good right now - I'm all Dr checked out are you ?? Is it time to make an appointment?
Gyms
I had a giggle when I saw this on pinterest :). SO let's chat about gyms. If you haven't set foot inside one for many years they are vastly different to what they used to be.
You could never accuse me on being a gym junkie( nothing wrong with it wish I was! ) - though through my life I have had spits and spurts of attending regularly. I've belonged to 4 gyms over time and I think I have finally found a good match for me. Whether you love them or think they are a waste of money I know that I exercise far more when I am a member than when I am not.
Gyms these days can be anything from alot of dollars with a myriad of services down to something that is very minimalistic.
I've chosen the cheap option. There is a much more expensive one almost as close which has fabulous spin classes and yoga etc and I was really tempted but I have gone with the budget option. My gym is just down the road - within walking distance and is $10.50 a week - I started when they had a special so the joining fee was waivered. You have to pay 4 weeks in advance and then fortnightly but there is no contract ( not like the old days when you were signed up for years ). So if you decide to stop going then you just stop paying and you have four weeks of membership left. It's open 24/7 so I can go anytime - though I only go when it's staffed - safer for me at the moment in case I conk out LOL.
At sign up there was the offer of a series of training sessions - three - where they take all your measurements assess your goals and write you up a plan. You decide whether you want to go 3 days a week etc and what will work for you. The next two sessions were training sessions -where you learn the machines in your program and get started. This was optional but if you haven't been to gym before or haven't been in a long time then it's a nice way to get started and feel like you have a plan.
I've learnt that going to the gym is great from about 9 - 12pm - it's filled with Mums and women. From 4 - 5.30pm its filled with teenagers and from 6.00pm the men come in which I don't enjoy as much !
There is a real mix of people lots of different shapes and sizes all with the same aim of trying to keep a good level of fitness in their life and there is anice vibe about the place - even in the afternoons.
Gym doesn't suit everyones budget or lifestyle and there are so many free / cheaper options - pull your runners on and just walk - but for some of you who are thinking about how incorporate a structured exercise routine into your week the next time your local gym has an open day pop down and have a little look you may be surprised by the service provided and the price. Over the next few weeks I'll chat about how it's going for me :)
Bras
If you have stood in the queue at Target lately you won't have been able to miss the ads for their new range of bras.
I was drawn to it because I needed new bras and they were having 20% off. I used to always hate bra shopping and now I dislike it even more - BUT the stats are that 85% of women are wearing the wrong size. I have heard that for years it hasn't changed.
Target have however created a VERY useful chart and Bra book online - go here to check it out - they have bra tape that you can get instore - but I just used my own tape and worked it out with their chart and pictures it's really simple. For the record my size was wrong.
I then went to the store grabbed two bras that were the size I measured and bought them home. I didn't try them on because I hate doing that and I knew I'd be able to take them back if they were wrong. They were PERFECT. The best fit I've had in a long time - and they cost me $12 with the 20% off. So I went back and got another one as well. There are more expensive ones but the every day kind of sweater ones - that go under anything are $15 and there is a huge range of sizes.
You can of course try on at the store - that would be the sensible thing - and even have someone fit you if you prefer.
So a little recap over the last few weeks
How's your water intake ?? Have you tried a new tea? Any yummy breakkie plans? There were heaps in my comments I am planning a revisit of that topic a little later on.
Are you still planking? or are you going to start this week? I'm doing good up to 32 secs now. Did you try some stretching ?
This week consider
- booking a long Drs appointment for a full check up
- finding out more about your local gym options
- grabbing a tape measure and seeing how your bra measures up to the target chart :) Is it time for a new one??
I hope you feel better :) I'd love to hear how you are doing.
Next week
Eating out, Grey is the new black and some interesting food facts.
