A Boomer's Footprint

Category: Common Journey Blog

  • Results Fall 2016 – 90 day challenge

    As many of you know, I lost my mother October 1st, 2016. If you have lost a loved one, you know how the grieving process works. Up, down, in, out, sometimes just getting through the day.

    I had just started a new 90 day challenge on Sept. 21st and while I worked on my plan I didn’t have the fortitude to write about my process.

    Now the 90 days have concluded and I am happy to report my results.

    I realize you may have to squint to read all of my accomplishments, but the details are not that important to you. I am sharing this pic to show how I use a journal to track my activities.

    A few of the bigger tasks completed are – (1) I move on 7 boxes or bags of “stuff”, (2) I finally used the NEAT scanner purchased a few years ago and scanned dozens of clients file, enough to fill 2 cartons of papers for shredding, (3) I purchased a new Refrigerator and new Dishwasher, and (4) I continued to sort, organize and move things around to better fit them in my home.

    My for my next 90 Challenge, I am repeating last year’s health and fitness goals. In 2016, I had very modest results. The best I can say is while I used my fitbit regularly, I didn’t see much progress. This is shocking to me since my count is 1,850,768 over 50 weeks –  Dec 30, 2015 through Jan 02, 2017. I have to admit I was not putting enough effort into my “steps”.  So I’ll work on stepping it up this time around. I will keep you posted.

     

  • DK 90 Day Challenge Part 2

    img_4791My next 90 Day Challenge has been haunting me for years! I Procrastinate.

    Case in point, these are the remaining assets of an estate I was charged with distributing more than 10 YEARS ago.  My friend was an avid photographer and left 144 photo albums. Most of them went to a museum who was happy to have them as part of  her estate but there were about 20 albums of specific organizations I wanted to get directly to them.  I had already passed onto photos to SF Ballet, SF Symphony, SF Stern Grove and a few others. But procrastination set in and the process stalled.

    What the heck was my problem, that they are still around. Also I have so much other stuff I am holding onto. For instance, I have over 12 comforters, throws, and blankets for one bed and a sofa bed. It is all too much. The garage is another story all together.

    I think about why I procrastinated about sharing the albums and now realize what the reason was.  I FEARED that the organization would not want them –  Fear of rejection. This is interesting because the work is not even mine.

    I have already begun. Last week I took an album to the “San Francisco Exploratorium Museum”.  After meeting a third person in the company, she started flipping through the album and with delight pointed to the employee who trained her on the job many years ago. The lesson here is  “these albums are treasures” and will hold memories for many.

    Today I mail one to the Sacramento Railroad Museum!

    So my challenge over these next 90 days is to PURGE.  You can follow along on my personal blog and twitter account. This may be the right time for you to PURGE as well.

    I am eager to succeed because my reward is to hire a monthly cleaning person! Gotta run. I am joining a three month sailing club at the Berkeley Marina – starts to day.

  • Shocking realization of a favorite snack

     

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    Yikes. This is one Label I forgot to read!

    I do have a chocolate addiction. It started as a child.  Pop always had candy bars available to us when we visited his barber shop. And we ate them up.

    As an adult, the addiction continued when I began eating Mexican food.  My local taqueria, had a candy dispenser – for a quarter, I got a handful of treats. Of course over time the volume decreased and eventually the machines disappeared but it didn’t matter by then I was hooked.  I associated rice and beans with chocolate. Duh, the Mexican cuisine does have mole.

    Then, I began running in Walgreen’s or any local corner store for a candy bar. I started with Herseys with almonds but soon moved over to M&M’s with peanuts.

    Now to the photo. I recently studied the M&M’s peanuts label and was shocked. Now we know I wasn’t really SHOCKED I just didn’t want to pay attention.

    Imagine the percentage are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.  I probably eat 1,200 cals. a day. So my stats are even worse.

              13 g fat 20% of DV

                5 g Saturated fats!

              Sugar – they don’t even compute the number

              Dyes

              And finally an admission of genetic engineering involvement.

    What was I thinking. Of course, this snack is over. Another food (?) eliminated from my diet.

    Realistically, I know I’m not giving up chocolate. Now, when possible I buy the dark chocolate with almonds bars from Trader Joe’s.  A step up but I could probably still do better. They are even a dangerous snack to keep around.  It’s so hard NOT to think about that bar in the freezer.

    Lesson reminder to me and you is: continue reading labels and make the right choices.

     

  • DK Update – Day 30

    IMG_4447WOW my weight was down to 117.4.  Yep, back in early May I reached this milestone.  But alas, it didn’t last!

    I had just returned from a week on Florida, sick as a dog.  Caught the flu / summer cold that circulated among the family. It took weeks to recover and by the end, I had lost 8.4 lbs. down from my all time high of 125.8.

    But then…… (sorry I can’t find the photo) I was shocked just two weeks ago to see that I reached my “New” all time high – the scale read 127.4. What the H…., up 10 lbs. Yikes. I’m sure it’s muscle build up from my fitness regime. If only.

    I couldn’t be surprised. It was my birthday week and I had an unusually high number of outings lasting over 3 weeks.  I was out 16 of 21 days. Lunches, dinners, drinks.

    So what else could I do but get to work on my diet.  I pulled out my copy of the “10 Day Detox” by Dr. Mark Hyman and got to work. Being realistic, I knew I wasn’t ready to commit to full program but instead adjusted my food consumption to his suggestions.  You know the usual – no sugar, dairy, alcohol, corn, beans, bread, pasta or ……..

    So what is left is protein, veggies, nuts and seeds! So one week later, I am down three pounds, while still enjoying two “days off” when I was out with friends.

    I recently heard that weight loss and maintenance is 80% diet and 20% exercise.  Not exactly sure about the ration.  But I do believe “We are What we Eat.” So in addition to my fitbit counting, this month’s focus will be what I eat and drink.

    I’ll see how it goes.

     

     

     

     

     

  • DK’s Affirmation and Simple Goal

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    So simple, yet it says it all.

    Gradually over time my strength and stamina faded away. I realized it was happening but in my mind, I was still the energetic, active person of my younger days.  I get it now, my current physical state is weak and it’s having an impact my quality of life. I attributed my aches, pains and stiffness to my age but it’s more related to immobility. I’ve  got to get moving.

    I can still walk long distances and dance for hours but some movements are gone. Forget sports, serious hiking, and other athletic abilities….FOR NOW.

    I believe! I can regain physical prowess. So this is my “90 day Challenge.” Become more fit, increase my strength and stamina. Of course, I am realistic. One day after typing my affirmation and goal, I knew 100 each of the calisthenics was never going to happen. A 100 of any combo a day is doable.

    I have been using my fitbit for 7 months now and am committed to taking my steps. I recently increased the number from 5,000 to 7,000. And I can definitely  improve on the intensity of my steps.

    Luckily, I am motivated. I can’t tell you how many nights 8 or 9:00, I look at my count and say “Dorothy, get moving” and I do.  While I am proud that get up and move, I could be more active during the day.

    I know I have one bike ride in my future. A short trip the full length of Golden Gate Park – out and back – just about 7 miles.

    There you have it, my first confessional. More to come…….but for now I’m going for a walk.

     

     

  • 3 months later – DK loses two inches around waist

    This is such great news! I am happy with this small accomplishment – only 3 more inches to go.

    We know that making physical changes is a life long commitment to being healthy and fit. Results are not only measured by the scale reading but how we feel and how our clothes fit. This is what I have noticed first. My pants are falling down to my hips.

    The fitbit has been key to my success. I have consistently “stepped” over 5,000 times 5 times a week, whatever it takes to get them done.

    For example, last night I came home from an art gallery reception at 9:35 at night. It could’ve been so easy to miss my daily goal. Maybe the old me would have but the not the new me. I had only walked 3,100 steps for the day and so I started moving and ended with 6,023 steps for the day.

    The key to my 2″ loss is “persistence pays off”. I do what it takes to keep moving.

    Check out these before and after photos.

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    Before

     

     

    After

     

     

     

    As to my two February goals, I was only half succeeded.

    -1- no chocolate – I resisted this craving for the month.  Though there wasn’t a day that went by without dreaming of that gooey goodness.  Must say already in March, I am making up for lost chocolate but since I don’t keep any in the house it takes an effort to indulge.

    -2- drink water – a total failure. I finally measured the glass bottle I use in the house and discovered that it only holds 5 cups so drinking one bottle a day doesn’t even meet the suggested quota. Unfortunately, I did’t even drink this one bottle each day.  This is a dilemma because I often feel thirsty which should inspire me to drink a water.

    So for March I will continue with my steps and again work on drinking water.

    How did you do with your health and fitness goals?  Let me know.

  • Feb 2016 fitness plan

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    Love these California sunsets from my kitchen window overlooking the neighborhood.

     

     

     

    If you have started a weight lose program in the past, did you discovered that change does not happen overnight? I sure learned it this past month.

    I lost one whole pound during January. I see why the statement the last five pounds to lose are the hardest to lose is true. I have  some consolation since I only want to lose 5 pounds in total.

    Fitness and improved health requires a lifetime commitment to exercise and proper eating.

    Even though my scale may not show good results, I feel successful meeting my January goals.

    First, I stopped drinking alcohol for the entire month. Frankly, it wasn’t hard to do and I will continue in February.

    Second, during the days that I wore my fitbit – 26 of them – I took  124,505 steps. Sounds like a lot to me.  I noticed that I took around 2,500 steps just walking during the day and added on at least another 2,500 steps with a focused activity – dancing, walking in place, etc. So I am definitely continuing using this device.

    My new February goals are:

    (1) Drink Water! at least recommended the 8 cups a day. Should be easy.

    (2) No Chocolate.  This will be a challenge.  On day one alone, I miss my treats.

    Can’t wait to see what happens by month’s end.

    How did you do?

     

  • My 2016 Bucket List

    2016 is not now when

     

    I did it. Completed my 2016 bucket list. (see details below)

    In 5 years, I will retire from my accounting and tax business, if ready then.

    Over my lifetime, I will continue to develop my knowledge as a boomer expert and work on my life story.

     

    For 2016, I am focused on several UN……’s. I have many home organizing projects which I have been procrastinating about.  Some for years. I am sick of looking at and thinking about them!  So I gave myself a deadline by my birthday this coming June.  Wish me luck.  But of course, I need to take action. I have already completed three tasks.

    Second, I am making it a point to include more fun activities into my life.  I chose some items I always said “some day I will…..”

    Third, I continue to work on my fitness goals. I am having success using my fitbit, averaging 5,000 steps a day.  Soon I will increase my daily number of steps. But for now, I am focusing on consistency.  Some nights at 9PM, I get myself going to get in my count. I won’t bore you with my weekly progress which I posted earlier this month, except to report my highest count of 7,467 steps on Friday, Jan 15th.  So with a just a little extra effort, I can step “More”.

    Lastly, my big goal is on the business side: (1) write one book, (2) generate income from my website, (3) organize three boomer events, (4) develop an I-book series on coaching tips, (5) improve my computer proficiency. Whoa!

    Journal cover

     

     

    Here is the cover to my journal. I have set lofty ambitions for 2016.  I better get cracking and set some clear goals. Coming soon.

  • 30 (50 day) Day Weight lose check in

    This is definitely a post I have been procrastinating about – my 30 day check-in. It is now 50 days later. I know I didn’t do everything I could have to meet my goal. So I will add it back to my 2016 resolution list.

    To catch you up.  Back on November 12th, I committed to a 30 day weight lose goal which ended on December 12, 2105. I challenged myself to weigh 121 lbs (down from 124.8) a lose of 3.8 pounds. Here is my result.

    30 day wght lose check in

    The scale reads 122.2, so I missed my mark by 1.2 pounds. While this may not sound like much when the goal is only 3.8 lbs. a 30% miss is significant.

    As I analyze my “misstep” (don’t want to say failure).  I realize two things about my process:

    (1) I didn’t have a real plan.

    (2) I didn’t commit to any regular action.

    After this result, I made two changes:

    (1) I bought a fit bit which I began using right after Thanksgiving. I love this device.  I have already found I am moving more by watching my count.

    So far – between 11/23-11/29 – 5.98 miles and 14,914 steps

                  between 11/30-12/06 – 8.98 miles and 22,628 steps

                  between 12/07-12/13 – 2.67 miles and  6,633 steps (I didn’t wear the piece and got these results)

                  between 12/14-12/20 – 7.81 miles and 19,676 steps (back on track)

                  between 12/21-12/29 – 4.84 miles and 12,242 steps

    So in 5 weeks I stepped – 30.28 miles  and  76,093 steps. Not bad for hardly trying.

    (2) I eat a big salad every day.

    New Goal: Lose those extra 1.2 pounds by January 31, 2016 and keep them off. Can’t wait to see what happens to my waistline!

    PS. Neither P nor I won the bet so we begin again!

  • My 30 day fitness commitment

    I made a $40 bet with my friend, P., to each reach a 30 day fitness goal. Closest to her goal wins the prize. We are supporting each other through the process.  An accountability buddy helps. Our deadline is 12/12/15.

    My goal is to lose 3.8 pounds in 30 days (almost a pound a week). At our weigh in I was 124.8 lbs so my goal weight is 121 lbs. I know this sounds like a small amount but if you keep reading, I will actually show the NOW photo.

    While there are so many changes I could make to reach my goal, I am choosing to complete one action every day. I want to create a new habit in my life.

    So I choose to “Move my body for just 10 minutes a day”.

    Now is the time to drag out the “10 minute trainer program” I bought one year ago. Of course, I first have to find it! Some of you may be like me – purchasing books, programs, CD’s, equipment and props which sit unused collecting dusk and adding to general clutter. Luckily most of the tools do not have an expiration date.

    Besides using the 10 minute program, I can also dance, lift weights and use my mini-trampoline.

    My goal and challenge is engage in a 10 minute activity EVERY DAY.  To keep moving. To build up my stamina, my strength, my energy level and my spirit.

    I know I can do it. I am already into day 4. I seriously am sick of this figure looking back at me in the mirror whenever I have the nerve to really look at the full length of me.

    Check back every few days as I update my progress. Or follow me on twitter @dkellycoach for daily posts.

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    This is one pic I am NOT blowing up to full size.  Look for the after shot coming 12/12/15.