Exercise: Back Exercises to Reduce Pain

In my life, so far, I have mostly had active jobs.  I've worked in food and usually was standing for eight hour shifts.  It never bothered me.  My feet may be sore by the end of the day, but that was about it.  Now I'm doing a data entry job where I sit for nearly eight hours.  It's killing my back.  So I found some exercises I'm going to start doing daily starting tomorrow.

I found these through Pinterest where it linked to The 8 Minute Better Back Workout.

Bridge Pose

Butterfly Pose

Cat-Cow Variation

Cobra Leg Lift

Extended Leg Pose

I hope these improve my back pain dramatically.  I'll do these along with a regular workout: yoga, PiYo, kickboxing, etc. 

It's important to take care of yourself.  Listen to your body.  Do what is necessary to keep it healthy.

What can you do for yourself this week?

"Keep Moving Forward"

Grateful Posts

Nov 16 - I am grateful for getting a wonderful haircut from Monica at Twisted Scissors. Now I have a new salon but the same stylist from my old salon.

Nov 20 - I am grateful for time with my guy. Tonight's the last night of November we're able to hang out until December. Holiday season is here!!

Nov 22 - I am grateful that I get to see my grandma and Aunt Bessie this morning and Carol this afternoon. And most importantly why I'm here....to see Jordanna James on Broadway!!!!!!!!!!

 — feeling excited.

"Keep Moving Forward"

Exercise: Resting When Feeling Sick

This week I was feeling like I was catching a cold.  I decided to take CVS Flu Relief, which is a generic version of Boiron Oscillococcinum.  You take one of the small containers of pellets (they taste like sugar) two to four times a day when you first start feeling symptoms.  It'll either go away or you'll have a very mild cold.

No colds for me!!

I took the flu relief and then rested.  I did a lot of art and watched movies.  I ate soup and drank tea.  I got a lot of sleep.  I feel loads better!

Normally I would attempt to work out in some way.  Do yoga, a mix of exercises (push-ups, crunches, jumping jacks, squats) or go for a walk.   However, this weekend I'm going on a two day trip to see my best friend, Jordanna, in her Broadway debut in a show called Side Show.  I will also be seeing my grandma, Jordanna's mom (who's like my second mother), and my new baby cousin Zoey!  I don't want to be sick and not enjoy it.  So I rested and took care of myself.

"Keep Moving Forward"

Food: Peppermint Hot Chocolate with Marshmallows

I went shopping at Whole Foods the other day.  I only had about four things on my list.  I walked out with a couple more!  They were advertising WestSoy Chocolate Peppermint Stick soy milk and Dandies marshmallows.  Both are vegan.

You're able to drink the soy milk cold, but it's DELICIOUS as hot chocolate!  Especially if you had Dandies marshmallows.

I've never tried the marshmallows before.  They are fantastic!  I like them even better than dairy marshmallows!!  I think summer will bring vegan s'mores!!

This drink is wonderful.  Especially on a cold night.  It's already below 25 degrees in Chicago (the other day, below 15!).  So I've been thinking about warm drinks and soup.  

I recommend everyone to give this a try!

"Keep Moving Forward"

Motivational Pictures: Words of Wisdom

I came across some motivational words of wisdom on Pinterest.  I knew I had to share these instead of a video this week.  These inspired me.  I hope they do the same for you.

This one I think is extremely important.  People tend to focus on the negative including negative people.  If a person in your life or something in your life makes you unhappy and is toxic for you...let it go.  Focus on the positive in your life and making those grow.

I've done that in my life.  I've let go of friends who I thought were unhealthy for me and quit a job that I felt like I was drowning in.  I focused on improving the relationships that I wanted to keep in my life and to keep moving towards what makes me happy.

I hope you all can do the same.  Be happy.

"Keep Moving Forward"

Fun: Painting with My Guy

During the summer, I finally convinced my guy to paint with me as an at home date.  I've been telling him that we should go to the pottery place nearby where you can paint pottery.  I've been there before and it's a lot of fun.  He doesn't seem interested though.  I did convince him to put paint to paper though!  I gave him options.  I have paint, colored pencils, oil pastels, and some other options that he was able to choose from.

I bought this keys hook from Michael's Craft Store.  I finally got around to painting it.  I'm excited to hang it by my door.

This is the start to my guy's painting.

I painted this background.  I put it to the side and still haven't figured out what I want to do with it.

My guy mixing paint.

Paints!

My guy so serious.

He enjoyed painting this ship.  He didn't add a background, but for free-handing it, that's really good.

I painted an alligator my mom sent me one year.  She got one for my guy to paint too, but he hasn't painted it yet.

It was a fun date.  I'm going to try to get him to paint again.

"Keep Moving Forward"

What I'm Grateful For

These were my favorite grateful posts on Facebook during this week.

Nov 9 - I am grateful that I'm able to workout anywhere for free. I started using the stairs in my building as part of my workout. My thighs are burning! But..."I'm the stair master. I've mastered the stairs. I wish I had a step right here, I could step right here and here and here and step all over it."

Nov 14 - I am grateful I am almost done with Christmas gifts! Just need to get my parents something and I'm done! I love being done before Thanksgiving! Now I can just enjoy the holidays.

Nov 15 - I am grateful for a wonderful day spent with a friend, Heidi. I'm super excited about starting my wreck it journal which she introduced me!

People get extremely creative with Wreck This Journals.  I'm really excited to see what I can do with one.

What are you grateful for?

"Keep Moving Forward"