Hot and Healthy – Thriving Through Menopause One Pound at a Time. Day 14 (2/24/24)

I almost got a good night’s sleep, but hubby stole all the covers sometime around 5am and woke me up. He has had a cold for the last week or so and at 5am, the sore throat that he had, made its presence known to me. That did not stop me from working out today though. 

After slowly waking up a second time around 8, I piddled through the first couple of hours. Tidying up and stuff. Had breakfast, which was dairy free yogurt and a protein shake. Then I had a cooking class with my friend W which was fun and always a learning experience. W and I started online cooking classes back during the beginning of Covid and have continued them. We don’t get to watch them often but when we can, we do. We passed over 2 classes that were boring and ended up with a Clam Chowder episode. To many calories, but neat cooking techniques. The guy uses way too much salt. 

I ate 1/6 of my dark chocolate during our cooking class. 

After the class, I did my first weight loss routine of the day, adding my Bala Bangles for an extra workout. Today I picked GrowwithJo.

Link here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1DBJhxKmiU 

She is funny, upbeat, and she moves! Personally, I cannot keep up with the number of reps she does but at least I can do most of the movements! 

According to my Fitbit, I had 29 zone minutes and burned 123 calories. I did a warmup before and one after as this workout was only 20 minutes. But you need the warmup and cool downs.

It’s now 2:41 pm. I have been working on posting this blog most of the day and drinking water. At 3pm, I think I will do some aerobic steps because I never, ever get enough steps in. Afterwards I will indulge in anther protein shake. The internet says it is better to drink the protein shake after a workout to help your body recover. Tonight hubby works late so I think I will go vegetarian for dinner. Green, seedless grapes were my afternoon snack. 

Turn off your phone, when possible, during your workout. You don’t need the interruptions. 

OK, you got me. I procrastinated and did my workout at 3:30 not 3. 

My second workout today, steps only, was from It’s a Step Thang. BUT, they were not the first one I tried this afternoon. The first one, by Jenny McClendon was too hard for me. You can watch it here if you want: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uY1cEN4oHCo 

I think that is what I am working towards because although it says fun for everyone, after 11 minutes, I needed a break and some water. This was not a beginners video, for me. 

Back to It’s a Step Thang, see video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUi5rMbM6Dc 

This video is for beginners. I did like these ladies, and they too kicked my ass, but in a gentler way with a water break. I still needed a few additional “rests” because for the second half, they really work you, but at least it is easy to keep up with the steps. If you need a break, just keep moving by doing the basic step or side to sides. I did add my Bala Bangles for added calorie burn. I am sure I will come back to this workout at some point. 

I did a total of 29 minutes between both afternoon videos and burned about 148 calories. The Fitbit does not take into account the Bala Bangles so I’m hoping the calories burned number is actually higher. 

It’s difficult to make sure that you are exercising correctly, for you. Like, I want to follow along with everything, but as soon as I swing my arms, just the right way, it is debilitating...and painful. I will never be able to drop my knee to the floor in a lunge. So I use the modifications or make up my own. At this age, it is not just about losing weight, it’s also about not hurting my body more than it already is.  

NOTE: You need to make sure you are getting enough protein. Check with your doctor. You need protein to build muscle which burns fat. 

There will be one more workout today as I am only at 60 minutes so far. Yes, I am trying to do between 60 and 90 minutes per day but it is a mix of yoga, steps, weights, cardio and stretching, each day is different, so I do not think I am pushing myself too hard. I do know that if I do the same thing every day, I will get nowhere and be bored to death, so part of the fun of this is finding new videos to exercise to. 

The last workout came from Emi Wong and you can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bleOTMDa3_4

It was a quick 15 minute fat burn, and I liked it, but I find it tough to keep up with these young kids. The number of my reps compared to hers...well, like I said, I cannot keep up. I still get the workout in though and try not to feel to discouraged. 

As an older person, it is hard not to feel demoralized when doing many of these workouts given by young people. I mean we were one of them a few years ago, right? I still feel 25 mentally but my body...well, she is coping with 56. 

Now, all my video recommendations should be for beginners as that is where I am at. If one is too hard, find one that isn’t. 

Dinner was the last of the pork, I had half a piece, some smoked paprika long grain rice and sauteed broccoli rabe. Leftovers. Love them! 

Oh...to lessen my booze calories, I am going to switch out 1 ounce of booze for 1 ounce of Whole Milk at bedtime to help me sleep. I am going to try losing one ounce of booze a week until I break this habit. 

See you tomorrow.

You can find all the videos I workout to on my YouTube Channel.