Health and Fitness October 2025

[Lady Maverick]

Sharing our thoughts and efforts for health and fitness.

Stay curious!

[Lady Maverick]

Choosing a habit to focus on for the month of October took me some time. There were many to choose from and I was tempted to add more than one.

My October focus habit is using Hip Pad and keeping it with me at all times. It helps reduce my stress by making me more aware of my daily priorities. I can't do everything, so I have to pick and choose. Seeing the selected priorities written down reassures me that I've made the right choices for the day based on the circumstances. The hip pad lowers my stress and boosts my confidence by providing quick access to pen and paper, ensuring I can always jot down incoming information to handle later.

Hip pad usage -
1

[Harriet]

I see why you chose it. Ever since Twins' just slightly mentioned the PocketMod I've been on the verge of starting those again - compact security I guess. Reassurance that you're "remembering" things (or your pen already did) allows a more relaxed, stress-free, healthier mind. Yes, "incoming" input has a place to be captured - you're not responsible, the hip pad is. (smile) It's like delegating to an appliance, you don't have to reinvent the wheel every day. You go out so often, LadyM. I'm sure if I was going out more often, leaving home desk behind, I'd be making a hard-copy pocket plan.

Friday I'll be going to have bloodwork done at the lab. I asked about doing it closer to home but can't - they will call dr from there and ask what I may need. Guess I should be happy I don't have to see dr, too. That was a surprise and may cut at least a little time off the day. They seem to be giving me a longer tether away from the dr., a month between visits now, but two weeks between blood work appts.

Some more ordinary appts upcoming. I'll have a consultation for colonoscopy just past mid-month.

I'm not necessarily getting roped into a nap every day now. Seem to have more stamina. My appetite is probably a little too improved.

Having daily creative time has undoubtedly been good for me. HRH notices, mentions hearing the sewing machine and being glad.

bumped to the top-o-the-month!

[Bama]

Hello and Happy October!
May we all be successful in our endeavors this month.
I just got one habit done today. Not the best start but it’s a start.

October habits:
Pelvic exercises ♥
Dremel dog nails
Arm weights

[Kittykatt]

How lovely to see everyone!

I'm going to continue with the same three habits for now:

Pelvic floor exercises, because they really are a long term thing
Light box - I need this every day now until March/April (depending on the weather - a dry, sunny spring means I can stop earlier! )
And drinking my water. Another long term habit. Last month wasn't great with this one, possibly doe to all the cat related stress and numerous appointments? But it's a new month and a new start.

[Kittykatt]

Thursday:
I've done my exercises for today: 2 hearts

I drank 8 glasses of water yesterday: 1 heart

I've done 30 minutes with the lightbox: 2 hearts

[Lady Maverick]

Hip pad usage -
12

FYI... I'm still tracking multiple health and fitness habits on my spreadsheets, even though I'm not posting them here. Sometimes, I just need to switch things up and simplifying appeals to me.

[Bama]

Lady M what is a hip pad? I’m with you on posting whatever works for you to get those habits done.

Kittykatt, are the days getting darker, shorter there already? I think we have an hour or so less of daylight now.

Day 2 success!

October habits:
Pelvic exercises ♥♥
Dremel dog nails ♥
Thumper all 4 paws done, Beau front paws only, may try to get back paws tonight
Arm weights 3 lb 30 reps ♥

[Kittykatt]

Bama, the days are a *lot* shorter now. Back on June it was light by about 4.30 am and wasn't properly dark until about 10.30 pm. Now it doesn't get light until around 7am and is dark by 7 pm. And it's going to get a lot worse. By December it's only light from about 9.30 am to 4 pm and some days if it's very grey or raining, it doesn't get properly light at all. It's because, although I'm in the SW of the UK, we're actually quite along way north as far as latitude - London is as far north as Alaska! We have a mild maritime climate thanks to being an island and also the Gulf Stream (or whatever the new name for it is these days!)

But the lightbox really does seem to help my brain and help me to actually get up in the morning, and gives me more energy throughout the day, so I'm not spending all day looking forward to getting back into bed!

Friday:
I've done my exercises for today: 3 hearts

I drank 8 glasses of water yesterday: 2 hearts

I've done 30 minutes with the lightbox: 3 hearts

[Lady Maverick]

Hip pad usage -
123

Lady M what is a hip pad?

It is a simple 3"x5" spiral note pad. It fits nicely in my pocket so it is easy to take with me everywhere. Coupled with a small pen that fits inside the spiral part of the notepad, I can always have pen/paper with me.

I am a digital loving gal and make use of extensive spreadsheets (Excel) and journaling (OneNote) on the computer to track information long term. However, a simple pen and paper can achieve things that digital tools can't.

Yesterday, I met with my family doctor to discuss various test results. It was simple to jot down notes with pen and paper while the doctor spoke. If I had been using my phone to write or type the same information, it likely wouldn't have been perceived the same way.

I start a new page each day and write down my must-do's. By doing this it forces me to look at events on the calendar and realize how much (or how little) time I will have available to do other things. As I complete each item, I check them off. There's something satisfying about marking things as done.