Health and Fitness, August 2014

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

My sister is a raging socialist and she was so convinced that our conservative Prime Minister was going to take away the right for gays to marry that she got married before he could do that. Of course, nothing has been done to take away that right so ironically, it took a right winger to get my left wing sister to form a family.

But given that her impetus to marry was the thought she was going to lose the right to do so, not because she felt the need to become a family with my dsil, I think the marriage was off to a shaky start. I'm pretty sure she still makes her 'wife' pay rent. She was certainly doing so a few years ago. She justifies it by pointing out that dsil has a problem with money. Which she does. But literally all expenses are divided up and when she tells me about things that she's doing (like a vacation) and she goes on and on about how she is paying for her spouse to come as if it is a big favour, my stomach turns. Dh has never used his money to control me. He doesn't even think of it as 'his' money, it is all our money even though the share I earn is minuscule compared to what he makes.

I figure all that is keeping her together with her wife is that we have joint property laws and half of everything they have would go to my dsil. Since my dsil has nothing but debt, that means half of the money my father left to my sister would go to dsil. That was his legacy to take care of my sister in her old age (since she was unmarried and didn't have anyone to take care of her) and I figure my sister can't bear to lose that money because she knows how disappointed my dad would be. She needs that money to support her decision to take early retirement and would have to give up her lifestyle if the marriage broke down.

Not the best of situations to be in and I'm not likely to be any help to her since 1) she inherited way more than me because dad didn't think I needed the money, 2) we don't have a pension plan at all so do need all our investments to live off - there isn't another source of funds unlike her who has a good government pension, and 3) my kids got nothing from his estate so I feel it is my duty to pass along a good portion of what he left me to my kids and not further support my sister.

Things might improve if my dsil would just take drugs to stabilize her moods but, like Twin's sister, it is hard to get them to take drugs when they don't want to.

I feel sorry for my sister but she has brought so much of this on herself that I don't feel the responsibility to 'rescue' beyond giving her rides out of an abusive situation and at this point any abuse is emotional and dealt pretty evenly between the two of them.

I am thankful I live so far away. It helps keep me out of the drama. But I am aware that I am her closest living relative so I may not always be able to avoid the drama. Dd and dh will have nothing to do with her because of her behaviour towards them when mom died. Ds is quite good with her and my dnephew sees her from time to time so I'll have some backup if I need it but I figure she'll have a lonely old age. Our mother was a charming, sweet, gracious woman even in the depths of dementia. I have several senior friends who are like that too and others who are so much fun to be around that it is a joy to be with them and I hope to be like these inspirations when I grow old, infirm, or suffer dementia. My sister will never be like that, she'll be critical and superior and left alone in a corner to feel sorry for herself.

In the fitness end of things, I climbed another 5 flights of stairs tonight and still just got credit for 4. I feel cheated. At least I know what I've done even if my fitbit doesn't.

[Twins' Mom]

((Kathryn))

For the third day in a row I have gotten in 10k steps. I did 20 min on treadmill at the Y in addition to the lower body workout.

[FelineFriend]

(((Kathryn)))...

You did good, Twins' Mom.

I was active for 1 hour and then up and down between rest and activity.

I was on track with my eating today; I ate a SKINNY Cow for dessert because it wasn't high in calories and the fat calories are fewer than regular ice cream.

AND I've not eaten a red velvet cupcake or cookies today either!

I know I might not have a loss tomorrow, on the scales, but I'm feeling back on track, which is a feeling where I want to be.

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

Good job avoiding the cupcakes, FF! Red velvet doesn't appeal to me but I note several people have mentioned taking off the icing. That's the only part I'd eat!

I'm up and at it earlier this morning. Had a really lousy sleep from Wed-Thurs but I feel a lot perkier this morning. Still am dragging about getting in the shower. I had hoped for the kind of shower that I'd love to go into and am really disappointed that I got a shower I dread instead. Still haven't come up with a solution. Neighbours have mentioned that it is the one thing they hate about the building and if I think the temperature swings are bad now, wait until winter!

Dh has a cardiogram now so he's off at that and ds went with him so they could go out to breakfast after. And they have a movie set up for later today. So I have the house to myself today and can do whatever I want. I hope that means I'll be energetic.

[Nancy]

I took a half block stroll to see the smoke and sun rise in the area it was nice start to my day several days this week. It is cooler here today! The berry patch might be calling!

Walked a med. Walk briskly this morning. It is cooler today here yea!

Ordered a new glocuse test meter today free. Happy about that.

[Lady Maverick]

Yesterday I ate 3 pieces of birthday cake (icing scraped off) and today the scales are down 2 lbs. It makes me smile with the illogical act of eating more and weighing less.

I have added listening to music to my healthy habits. Music energizes and smooths me. Awhile ago I found a playlist of songs that I enjoy listening to that also have positive words. When I am struggling with emotional issues, having constant positive input is helpful. The fact that the music also energizes me is a win-win.

[Ramblinrose]

LM... I listen to music all the time. In fact I have some playing right now. I use Tunein that is an internet program. Its free and you can find the type of music you like...I listen to all 70's, all 80's and easy listening....and also have their app on my phone. I always listen to it while cleaning the house or walking.

Harriet...When I play Diet Bet I can choose between two types of games. With the monthly game, which I play, I have to lose 4% of my starting weight. There is also a 6 month game in which the player must lose 10% of his/her weight to win. There are monthly games within that game to keep players motivated.

At the beginning of any game, the player must sumit two photos to the site. The first one is of me standing on the scale dressed in what the officials call "airport" clothes...what that really means is no inappropriate photos showing alot of skin. I wear workout shorts and a t-shirt. The site also emails you a word of the day. I copy that word on an index card, place it on the floor in front of the scale and then take a picture of my toes, the weight on the scale and the index card.

All of this is submitted to the site and once the officials approve it, you are considered in on the game. During the game you can submit your weight daily, every other day, once a week or not at all. Its up to you. The officials only look at your beginning and ending weight. I have to do the same process at the end of the game and then wait until it has been confirmed by the officials to see if I have won.

If a person loses more than 10% of their weight during the monthly game, they are disqualified and lose their bet money. A person can play 3 games at one time. The bets for the games, either the monthly or 6 month ones are anywhere from $25 to $100. You choose the ones you want to play in.

I am only doing one this time...its for $100 and in order to win I must loose 5.5 lbs from my submitted starting weight for this month. I think the "pot" for the game this time is around $5000 which means there are 50 players. Last game only 50% of the players won...so the pot is split by those players. The "diet officials" take 25% of the pot for the cost of running the site. First game I bet $25 and won $52.93. Twenty five of that was my bet and the rest was my win.

I love playing because when I'm tempted to cheat, I think to myself...is it worth..in this months case...$100. After I win this game, I will take my winnings and turn it around to play my next games. The Dietbet has become so popular that it is always working to improve the games. Right now they are working on games in which you can "bet" that you will maintain your weight for a month and also a game inwhich you can "bet" on how much you will exercise each day.

Also a person can creat their own "game" and it is becoming popular with companies or just groups of friends. One person starts the game and then "invites" people to join in and play. After learning about what I was doing and seeing the success I was having several of my friends at school decided to creat their own game. The pot is smaller of course, but they love playing it.

My game starts today. I had to submit my information two days ago and the officials confirmed I could play. My starting weight is up by 1.8 lbs from before my vacation. Also I had a migraine yesterday and am trying to get another one today. The meds always shoot my weight up, so I probably won't weigh again till Monday because I don't want to get discouraged by it.

Here is the site incase any of ya'll are curious. Dietbet.com

[Lady Maverick]

I'm getting interested in this. Just a tad. Enough to investigate it anyway (do you hear the fear of commitment in my typing?)

However when I got to dietbet.com I'm sent to www.dietbetter.com/

Is that the same website you are using?

[FelineFriend]

Been keeping on track with my eating and moving today, so far.

Will report later tonight, how I did *ALL* day, so will BBL.

It's nice to read everyone's encouraging and motivating news and posts on their healthier walks with diet and exercise, too! It makes me feel less solitary, and like I "belong" to a group, with the same set of ideas, which is to get and be healthier.

[Ramblinrose]

Yes LM... That's the one.