Jewish Musings, Thursday December 29th

[lee058]

What’s on your mind — how to make kugel? This week’s Torah reading? Life goals? Prayer? We are all engaged in weight loss/weight maintenance journeys and we are all Jewish or at least interested in Judaism. We like to eat, we like to discuss. It is our goal here to provide each other support on our journeys, to share experiences, to call on our rich cultural heritage and texts, and to help each other grow spiritually.

Some of us take weekly turns starting the thread:

Angelika
Holly
Lee
Louise
Lynne
Peachy

[lee058]

Good morning everybody. Hope you are all well today. This is especially pertinent because of the death of Debbie Reynolds. I really think she died of a broken heart because of her daughter's passing away. I feel so sorry for the remaining members of the family; this must be a tremendous shock to lose two people one day after the other.

So here is today's topic: What are you going to do to help yourself be healthier this coming year?

For me, I am going to stay on top of my doctor visits, medicine, and awareness of my health. TODAY I am going to call my pulmonary doctor and ask some questions about past and future tests. I am not going to put this off.

I am going to work on my boundaries with my family so that I do not feel as overwhelmed or unhappy when they are being overly intense. I need to take better care of myself.

I am going to cultivate a more positive attitude, and not let my family members bring me down, as much as I can do that.

Those are just a few things; I know we've discussed this before, but I feel that today we need to reinforce that there are some things we can do to help ourselves --- more than we realize.

Have a peaceful day, Lee

[peachymom1]

Good morning! Lee, that sounds like a good set of plans. I'll be rooting for you!

I am going to treat myself more often to feel-good things like manicures and pedicures, and I'm going to spring for a massage once in a while too. I am also going to let go of some things that have been on my mind in regard to my parents and sisters. Shake it off! And then go forward with a lighter load.

I'm going to the dentist this morning -- I need a filling replaced, ugh. Then I'm loafing this afternoon. That means more time curled up in the rocking chair with a book. I've already been to the gym and had breakfast. Oh darn, I just remembered there's laundry to do. Oh well, I can loaf while the machines are going!

I'll be back later. Everyone have a wonderful day!

[savtele]

Boker Tov All! Good topic today. I agree about Debbie Reynolds. I feel so bad for the family.

I was "talking" on FB with a friend yesterday. Other than the diet/exercise commitments that I have already mentioned, I will be bundling up, pulling a chair or bench onto the deck on the south-facing side of the house, and for at least 1/2 hour I will allow sunlight (when available) to shine on my eyelids. Of course, there will be days when that is not possible - and I am looking to buy an indoor "white light" for days when I cannot sit outside.

And I also will be making the necessary appointments - 'tis the season - physical, dental, & I am waiting for the eye clinic to call me (they were 6 months out in July), for my cataract surgery. Meanwhile, I peer over my glasses most of the time (I can't really see well through them anymore, except for reading, & that's a toss-up depending on font)

And while the weather is bad, I want to spend indoor time with the littles. In summer, everyone is all over the property, exploring, picking/eating berries, doing, running, splashing in the river, playing. High energy stuff. My plan is to spend winter weekends, or just days, coloring, reading, talking. Sometimes watching "Princess Bride" or "The Neverending Story." Having tea parties with my mom's good china, wearing my old big, floppy hats. Playing Vivaldi or Boccherini softly in the background for them. I want to create a mood - for them and for myself.

This AM I am doing laundry & later I will be heading to the store for a few hours. All part of the plan to feel better!

I'll bbl - have a good day ladies!

[louise]

I don't take good care of myself in a lot of ways. I realize the insidious effect is that it feeds into and perpetuates the feeling that there is something wrong with me. Will start a list (dentist and papp smear are on it) and figure out how to get these things right.

Went to the synagogue for a seatbelt fitting - they're going to be perfecto. Will sew them up tonight.

[hollygail]

Healthier... I tend to ignore things concerning my health... except when there's something acute, like flu, for instance. I tend to self-medicate (like for a cold or sore throat), but see a doctor for more serious things. But I do put things off. Like glasses: I've been taking off my glasses to read close things for months and months; it's silly, really. I have to go for another eye exam for a new prescription. I'm totally bummed out by the cost of new glasses. (Okay, when I was a young adult, and first had to start paying for my glasses, I paid $20. Now I pay around $200. It feels like it's just not fair!)

And my weight has crept up. I'm now at the top of the range for my height. Yes, I've been higher (and still within the 2 lbs of goal), but I really did feel better 4 pounds ago, not to mention 6 pounds ago... (I'm short with a relatively small build, so believe me when I say 5 pounds really makes a difference!) And I do know how to lose the weight; and I know it's not difficult either. I just don't keep doing it... (I know, I'm in a VERY large club)

I will resume my Tuesday/Thursday exercise class in January (the instructor's been off for winter break, and the room where we had class was being used for various things during December and part of November, so pretty much I've been to class only three or four times since the very beginning of November).

When the weather warms up (this is San Diego, folks; it's been in the 40s and 50s, which is ridiculously cold for San Diego!), I'd like to go to one of the two gyms my Silver Sneakers insurance covers, mostly for the pool. DH has a free membership in one of them (through some other agency, maybe the VA?) and he enjoys swimming too. It's one of the few "active" activities we do together. (Okay, once in a while, he'll walk by the lake with me, but he's lost interest in walking around places to see the sights, while I'm more than willing to walk around sight-seeing places [as well as walking around stores] for the exercise I get.)

[lee058]

Hi again everybody. I called the pulmonary doctor's office this morning and am waiting to be called back with the test results. The nurse I spoke with said that she would have to wait to talk with the doctor, but that she would call me back when she got the information. I hate waiting, especially for medical things, but it can't be helped so I will practice being patient.

I'm doing laundry too. Which reminds me that I need to go check the machines.

Have a peaceful rest of the afternoon, Lee