Jessica Smith and Friends 2022

[lizh]

Hi everyone,
I am continuing on with the Spring Ahead challenge in random order. On today's schedule was Jessica's "4 mile power walk" which I didn't own, so I purchased the digital version with purple player. I did the warm up, the first 3 miles and cool down. My favorite Jessica's are the ones with Debby and Beth. It is just enough visuals to keep me entertained and engaged. There are a few titles that I don't own and doing this rotation is going to be my excuse to finish out my collection.

I had a nice day off, and didn't do much. Mainly read a book and took a nap. I need more time off. I have jury duty on Wednesday, not sure if that counts!

Donna, thanks for understanding about the annoyance of going in to the office, it is ridiculous. This week the big boss is on vacation and I don't need to go in at all. Such a relief. One of my biggest complaints about going in is that my pre-covid clothes are mostly too tight and uncomfortable. I've bought some new clothes and I'm working on my diet and exercise to get back to shopping in my closet!

Sherry, I hope you find a mouthguard that fits properly soon. Chronic pain is so draining and exhausting. I hope you are hanging in there.

Pam, I think I need to regain some fitness before I attempt Jessica's new releases. I think I'll wait on the sidelines and see how you like them, before I buy.

Have a good one!
Liz

[donnamp]

Hi Everyone,

To increase motivation, I went back to Jessica's Spring Ahead Schedule and picked up at Week #3. I did Week #2 in theory - in that I did workouts that fit the theme, but they were not always the exact workout listed. Sometimes doing rotations that way helps, too. I may do the same with Week # 3, but at least it gives me a structure to follow so I'm not wondering what to do!

Anyway, today was:

Jessica - 30 Min Flat Blaster Walk from the 30 Day Set

Pilates Nest - Pilates for Posture (You Tube) this was in lieu of Jessica's Posture workout or Healthy Back Bonus workout...

It was nice to do something from the Pilates Nest channel. I'm happy to see that she is actively posting there.

Waves, everyone - I will get some Essentrics in later as it has been a few days...

Liz - A day off to nap and read sounds excellent! I need to schedule more days off too. I actually have an interview on Friday for a transfer opportunity it is in a department that is not eager to return to the office. So...fingers crossed. that is a huge thing for me now. I do hear you on the weight gain, though, I has lost weight (from stress) when the pandemic hit so it isn't awful that I gained, but I do need new clothes - I did put a bunch in a bag for donation as I don't think they will ever fit me again unless I have a major stress that causes me to stop eating. I think I gained in part from being lazier about eating healthy - when I worked in the office I packed my lunch most days and planned better for healthy meals and snacks - w/ working from home I just don't take the time to do that and tend to just grab whatever. I also do move less - For the sake of my health I probably should go back to planning meals as if I were going to the office. I don't know what to do about buying new clothes - I guess I can wait and see if I ever have to go in regularly. I mostly wear sweats/workout stuff when I'm working from home so I don't really "need" anything.

Sherry - How are you feeling? I have to get a crown replaced myself. I'm going on 5/9. I had a feeling that was going to happen - it isn't bothering me fortunately, but I know they have been "watching" it for the last few visits. Hopefully it will be uneventful.

Waves, wishiwasinhawaii and Pam!

Hope everyone has a good day!

Donna

[Leonana]

Yesterday evening I did Yoga with Bird's 10 Minute Morning Yoga. Today was a longer walk, around a mile. More yoga later today, probably a shorter one.

My tooth doesn't hurt as much today. Last night, I took an antihistamine that is also prescribed for anxiety, and I didn't grind my teeth as much. It's definitely due to anxiety. I also got my permanent crowns today from the crown dentist. He adjusted all my teeth, and actually adjusted the bottom front teeth. I knew my molars were lower than before, and needed alignment with the rest of my teeth. They were adjusted too many times, and that's why that one tooth was so painful, it was too high. But the TMJ specialist and the dentist who referred me to her wouldn't listen. Although, the grinding and all the work I've had done definitely contributed, but it wasn't the only factor. Crossing my fingers that my mouth guard will be adjusted properly Thursday. If not, I'm going to another TMJ specialist.

I applied for two clerical jobs, part time. One was "will train." The hiring manager actually called me back! I have to have a second phone interview with the manager that needs the assistant. I don't know how far I'll get, and with my hearing loss, I have to ask them to repeat themselves a bit on the cell phone. But the job doesn't require a lot of phone work. We shall see. I never got any responses to ads until I took off the year I graduated from college. I'm sure they think I'm in my 40's and 50's, and not 62, lol. But at least it's an experience, even if I don't get it. The hours are 7:30-2:30 in the office. I don't think it's too far from my house, and I would be going against traffic, so the rush hour wouldn't be too bad. Although, with the dark circles under my eyes from not sleeping, they might think I'm a drug addict, lol. If I don't get this, I'll apply at Fry's grocery. I need to pay off my teeth debt, and I'm getting depressed staying at home lately. I've always thought I was an introvert, but I think I might lean more to extrovert. I really need to be around people. I think I just have some social anxiety.

Liz, good job on doing the challenge. Your day off sounded nice and relaxing.

Donna, good luck on the job interview. I'm sure the crown won't be too painful to replace, since you don't have pain. I had three done today, and not much pain with any of them. It's just that one darn tooth, or lack of tooth, now that it's pulled.

[Pam61]

Hi Ladies,

Today I did an outdoor hike in Seekonk, MA. It was nice and a pretty large group of women to chat with. We got done with our three miles just before it started raining.

Sherry, hope you find some employment that you enjoy. I'm sure you look younger than your years. No one would know you were 62, unless they're looking at your application. :-)

Night all!

[donnamp]

Hi Everyone,

This morning was:

Jessica Valent - 30 Min Full Body Workout w/ Weights - this was the full length version of the video she released on You Tube Monday. It was straightforward weight work. Just what I need, honestly.....

Jessica Valent - 5 Min Back and Hip Stretches

Good luck, Sherry! I took my "years" off my education on my resume a long time ago, LOL! I also took old jobs off - I have been with the same employer for 20+ years now so that is the bulk of my resume. Age bias is out there for sure. I suppose that it one good thing about virtual work environments and virtual interviews - although you are on camera...

Waves, everyone!

Donna

[Leonana]

Today was a half mile walk. Tooth pretty painful today, but I've been biting down trying to see if my bite is correct. I'm going back to the new dentist I saw a couple of weeks ago to get a second opinion on my bite, because I don't think the adjustment was done quite right.

I go tomorrow for adjustment to mouth guard. It has caused me more pain, and it's suppose to relieve the pain. This means a bad fit or wrong type. I didn't have TMJ pain, just grinding, but now I have TMJ pain from the mouth guard. (sigh) I'm thinking I will have to try another TMJ specialist.

I had a check up with the cardiologist nurse and will have an ultrasound in a couple of weeks. Since I have severe white coat syndrome, and it's difficult to get a good bp reading, I do this once a year to check my heart for high blood pressure. No signs of it the past two years, so crossing my fingers for this year. I've been afraid all this tooth pain might have affected it. But I've been walking and doing some yoga, along with eating healthy foods. Not easy when you can only eat soft foods. Thank goodness for smoothies! They weighed me and I've lost 18 pounds. I should promote my soft foods diet, lol. Although, I'm sure some of that is due to muscle loss.

I did have a three way conference call with the hiring manager and the manager that needs the assistant. I'm afraid I was too honest, lol. My skill set and abilities perfectly match the job, and they were interested in me for that reason. However, my current physical state might prevent me from being able to do it. Because of the tooth pain and lack of sleep, I might not have the strength to handle six or seven hours a day. The hiring manager did say we could try it on a trial basis. However, I'm getting the impression I was a bit too honest about my physical limitations. But it has encouraged me and given me hope. I've sent off quite a few resumes over the years, and this was the most positive response I have received, which improved my self-confidence quite a bit.

Pam, thanks! I have been told I look younger. Your hike sounds so nice, I would love to have some social interaction like that.

Donna, I took off my years of experience too, and kept the last job, plus my homeschooling and part time babysitting. And I took off the year I graduated from college. And I got a response, lol. Ageism is definitely a thing.

[wishiwasinhawaii]

Been busy lately, but am still doing WS1. I'm on week 5 now and am starting to think about what I'll do next. I may continue with my trip down memory lane and do WS2 next until whenever Jessica releases the new set.

I took Monday off work to take my niece to look at a college. I'm still having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that she only has one more year of HS left. How did that happen??

Re: clothes...When I found out I'd have to go back to the office once a week, I bought ONE outfit that I haven't even worn yet, LOL. I got rid of a lot of my work clothes during COVID because they didn't fit anymore or were worn out, but then it turned out I've been going in on Fridays which is a casual day and I wear jeans, so I've saved a lot of money on clothes.

Donna, I haven't gone to the office in a couple of weeks because my boss was on vacation one week and then we were banned from going in this week and last due to a meeting coming up that we have to attend in person tomorrow and they wanted us to 'be safe' and not spread COVID before that meeting. I'm happy I've been able to stay home, but their reasoning makes no sense. Good luck on the interview! I wouldn't buy clothes until or unless you know for certain you have to go back to the office on a regular basis.

Liz, It stinks you have to go to the office so much. Even one day a week for me is ridiculous and I'm considering having a chat with my boss about reducing it to once or twice a month. I'm going to wait a bit before I do that since it's only been a little over a month.

Pam, I'm looking forward to Jessica's new set too. I haven't watched the clips yet, but it sounds like it's a cross between Lift & Shift and WS2? Your hike sounds like a lot of fun!

Sherry, If you get that job, maybe you can work something out with them so you start off slow, working fewer hours and then gradually increase?

[donnamp]

wishiwasinhawai - waves!! I agree going into the office, I'm just not productive at all...it is so disruptive to me.

one of my husband's co-workers has COVID. Hopefully he will not get it and bring it home....ugh.

But that is ridiculous reasoning on the part of your employer!!

It is crazy. I'm now contemplating getting the 2nd booster, I guess hearing that my DH's co-worker has it has sort of made me feel more vulnerable to it.

Sherry - I think wishiwasinhawaii has a great idea - maybe see if you could start slow- maybe half days or fewer days per week while you are recovering from your tooth issues - you may surprise yourself and it may end up energizing you.

Donna

[Pam61]

Hi Ladies,

Today I did another in-person, IRL hike in East Greenwich, RI. It was a beautiful area with brooks, waterwheel, pond, bridges, a treehouse, etc. The water in the stream was crystal clear. Very pretty forested area with wide trails.

Tomorrow I'm heading out to another hike in Cumberland, RI just near the border of MA. It's been fun to get to know what the different parks/forests have to offer and great to discover new places to hike.

Friday I'll be able to get back to a Scotland workout on the TM, as I miss that too....but my foot has needed a rest with my PF.

I wouldn't have anything to wear to an office environment. I live in workout clothes or jeans, lol. :-)

[lizh]

Hi all,
Yesterday, I did Barefoot Core Cardio from WS3. Today, I took a rest day but tried to go extra long with the pup-ster tonight.

I had jury duty which was a lot of sitting around, then a break from 11:30 to 1:30 for lunch and then let go at 1:45. I'm not complaining, I'm glad I didn't get picked.

I wore a mask the whole time I was at jury duty since it was pretty crowded and I don't think we're out of the woods with COVID yet. My husband had the 2nd booster, but I haven't had mine yet.

I'll write more tomorrow. Have a good one!
Liz