February is National Heart Health Month

As a cardiac patient, I like advocating for this cause. I also want to remind you that tomorrow (2/3/17) is National Wear Red Day! I hope you will wear red and donate a little something to the American Heart Association. (PS: I would love to see your "red" - feel free to email your picture to me at jenmcgee34@yahoo.com)


My cardiac journey started 4 years ago when my doctor heard an irregular heartbeat at my annual physical. That hearing led to tests and the discovery of an ASD (atrial septum defect-aka: a hole in my heart). That hole was closed in May, 2013. Things are still good.

And now a PSA

Just a reminder with February around the corner - it is National Heart Health Month. Please mark your calendars for Friday, February 3 for National Wear Red for Women Day.

PLEASE check this out!

My friend, Jodi (please click her name for the link) - is raising money for MS. 

 

She has teamed up with Letters from Rita, who has created some beautiful word art for sale.  Please, please, please click on my link above to get to Jodi's post with further information on how to support this fundraiser and order your wordart!!!!

 

If you have any further questions, please email me and I can put you in contact with Jodi.

 

Thank you for your support!!!!

Just a reminder....

This week is National MS Awareness Week.

Get your orange on!!!!!

Reminder

This coming Wednesday, March 4, 2015 - - -

My blogging friend, Jodi (please check out her blog) has declared it #OutstandingInOrangeForMS day in honor of MS Awareness Week (March 2-8)! All you have to do is:
Wear orange
Take a photo (a selfie is fine)
Tag it with the above hashtag. 

Come on, wear your orange!

This Friday - Feb. 6

 

February is National Heart Health Month.

 

So this Friday (Feb. 6) - wear you red - ask your friends and co-workers to wear red - spread the word!

 

I would love to see pictures of your red - you can email them to me:

jenmcgee34@yahoo.com

 

 

Accountability

I could make a WHOLE list of excuses, but that is just a cop out. So - here is my confession.

I will be the first to admit - I have REALLY let myself go since Thanksgiving.  I have been eating terribly; not exercising (other than walking around work); and not drinking as much water as I should be.

That being said (and the fact that my pants don't fit quite right now) - I am going to turn things around. (Or at least...that's my plan)  I would like to lose about 5 pounds and get myself back in shape.

I started drinking water this week. I drank 80 ounces on Monday and 144 ounces yesterday. So, I am raising my water glass to Wednesday. Cheers!

My cousin convinced me to sign up for MY FITNESS PAL. I can track what I eat, how much water I drink and my exercise. I am hoping I can get her to encourage me.  (If anyone would like to add me as a friend - I am, jmmcgee1)

The next step is finding a gym to join. I figure if I'm paying for a membership, I will be more likely to go.

Who is with me?

Update

Hello to you all!

A couple of weeks ago, I told you about a new wellness challenge that was starting at our workplace. We are now 2 weeks in and I have been doing pretty well.

The challenge is to consume your daily amount of recommended water (your weight divided by 2 = oz. to drink) and 5 servings of fruits and veggies.

I have met the water part everyday so far, except for 1. I have eaten 2-3 servings of fruits and veggies every day. I have had no pop on those 2 weeks, either. Believe me, these are both HUGE improvements on what I was eating and I am much more conscience of what I drink.

I am feeling a little better, more energetic and "lighter". This is easy to do when I have others in our office participating and we can "announce" what glass of water number we are on for the day or share an apple with each other. My hope is to keep this up when the challenge ends.

I have been walking more and started using hand weights this week to start toning my arms a little more. (sorry to those of you following me on Pinterest, I know I've been bombarding the board with workouts and healthy food pins).

Have a great Tuesday!

The challenge

Tomorrow starts a new healthy lifestyle challenge at work.

The Rules:
6 weeks

5 servings of fruits and veggies/day
Consume the suggested amount of water you should be drinking each day (your weight divide by 2=number of ounces of water you should be drinking)

I will try to post updates on my progress each week.

I also plan to add 30 minutes of exercise, 3 times a week to this challenge, for myself.

Happy Friday!

It's the Cubs home opener! They managed to get out of Pittsburgh with a win...  Hopefully Wrigley will be kind to them!

Last night was Little Miss's school spring sing. After the day I had, it was just what I needed! It was a fun program and some of the kids are sooooo entertaining! Ya know...shirt untucked, dancing in place, hamming it up. Just cracks me up!

I have made it this many "miles" this week in our work fitness challenge. I'm pretty proud of myself. The rest of my team is doing great, as well! My bum challenge is going well too.

These quotes have helped me through this week.

Have a great Friday and weekend!

On to April....

First of all, thank you all for your sweet birthday wishes! You made a good day even better.

When I walked into work yesterday  morning, I found that my husband and son had decorated my desk - the entire top of my desk was covered with confetti and a giant banner on the front of my desk!

Desk decorations:

 

My co-workers got me a cake, flowers and a balloon.

 

It was a great birthday - I'm ready for this new decade in my life!

*************************************

And now for some April "news":

THIS is the 30 day challenge I'm going to take this month. Who's with me?!

Give me a push, readers!

 

The second challenge I'm taking this month is through work. It's called Get Fit on Route 66.

For every minute you exerciese/do physical activity, it covers 3 miles of the road.

This started yesterday and after my morning workout this morning, I've made it 119 miles.

The incentive for this?

If I complete the entire 2,448 "miles" there's a cash incentive at the end. I'm planning on rocking this one!

 

My Cubbies didn't fare well yesterday. It took them extra innings to do it, but alas - they lost. Day off today and hopefully they'll do better tomorrow!

Come on!

Who is going to do this with me in November?

I did the 30 day squat challenge last month and I'm feeling pretty good!

It's Monday...again...

Hello readers!

I hope you had a good weekend! We did, although they are always too short. Some of us do not get Columbus Day off....

I worked at the library on Saturday. Then we had pizza with our former neighbors. Yesterday we went to the orchard, did a little apple picking, fed the farm animals and enjoyed the beautiful fall day.

Our Huskies are 6-0, ranked 23 on the AP poll! Keep it up!

On the keeping myself accountable front, I have been working on two 30 day exercise challenges:

I've stuck with them and see a little difference. The plank is a tough one....whew!

I started a new book over the weekend (The Right Hand). It is fantastic so far!!!

What did you do this weekend?

Mini update

8 days of the 30 day squat challenge are completed!!!!! I'm pretty proud of myself for sticking with it.
I guess without really realizing it, I've been eating a little better too.
I'm starting to see a little difference, so I'm hoping I'll keep sticking with it.

Catch up time & Some Randomness

Happy Monday!

Today is Day 5 of the 30 day squat challenge---rest. I have kept up the first 4 days and walked each of those days, too. I feel the burn but remind myself it's good for me.

Summer won't quite let go yet. DD's school is letting out early today and tomorrow due to the expected heat and humidity. (The schools don't have a/c). Come on fall....

 Thank you to all who have been visiting my blog. I love and appreciate your comments.

What have we been doing the past few weeks?
Well, here's a few highlights....

DD and I went to Scrapbook Expo. We had a great time! She did several of the Make & Takes

We did a little shopping at: Travelin Duckie, Petticoat Parlor, Eyelet Outlet along with several other booths and vendors. There were LOTS of yummy scrapping goodies! I think we'll go again next year.

The next weekend:

Then.....

DS started classes again

And....

She was up at 6 a.m. and ready to go!

Labor Day weekend was our town festival...we had our share of fair food.

And this little lady....

Had her 1st birthday.

I had a follow up with my cardiologist on Thursday. He took me off my blood thinner and cleared my last restriction. So Saturday.....

We all had a great time!

Might I suggest some good reads? I enjoyed these this summer.

Wishing you a great Monday and week!

A little fitness challenge

I found this challenge

on Steph's blog.  

(Go visit her blog, it's great!)

Who else is in?

PS: I started Day 1 today...

On the Mend...

Slow but sure, I'm getting there!

I had a lot of pain on Friday. I napped a lot Saturday and Sunday. Unfortunately, I missed DS's graduation. I was afraid of being jostled in a crowd and sitting on bleachers for three hours would have done me no good.

Today is probably the best I have felt.  My mom, sister and brother have been great nurses/babysitters. Thank you all!  Of course, the hubby and kidshave been wonderful too!

What did you do this weekend?

It's Friday!

Just an update...
My surgery was successful. The hole is closed and I am resting and recovering. My mom was a wonderful nurse yesterday. My sister will be here today, yea.

DS graduates from our community college tomorrow! We are very proud of him.

My flowers I got for Mother's Day seem to be doing well. I think they could use just A LITTLE bit of rain.

I've done a little window shopping while sitting on the couch. There are such cute summer dresses out there, now if my wallet would just agree I can afford them.

I hope you all have a great weekend! What are you up to?

Happy May!

WOW! How did it get to be May already?!  I hope it's getting "springy" around you. The trees are finally getting green and flowers are popping out. I wake up to the birds singing (or squawking) each morning.  Spring has sprung!

To catch you up on me: I had a TEE (basically an internal ultrasound) on my heart on Tuesday. They confirmed that the hole in my heart wall is there. I have what is called atrial septum defect (ASD).  I meet again with the surgeon next week to go over the procedure and timeframe for recovery.  Basically, what he told my husband is that they will go in and test the oxygen levels in each of the chambers of my heart and if they feel they are too low, then they will repair the hole while they are in there.  I am ready for this to be done, as I'm tired of being stuck, poked, prodded and driving to appointments.

We spent last weekend in St. Louis. DH & DS went to the Hawks/Blues game. We had intended to spend a few hours at Six Flags on Saturday morning, but the rain deterred that plan. We went to the mall and had lunch. Checked into our hotel - where there were 3 weddings and I don't know how many proms.  Little Miss was in heaven gawking at all the dresses.  We made it to Six Flags for a few hours Sunday until the cold got to be too much.  It was nicer in northern IL than there...figures!

This weekend, the Six Flags here opens and lo and behold - it's supposed to rain ALL weekend...AGAIN! Sigh.  Sooooo - we'll see. Iron Man opens this weekend, so maybe we'll see that instead.

I am testing a crochet pattern. It will be a lovely baby blanket when I'm done. I'll post pictures then.

I hope you're all well. I will try to post when I can.

A little about me

I haven't posted an update in a couple of weeks.

I don't know much for sure right now. I have seen the cardiologist who has ordered an echocardiogram (done) and a stress test (coming up this week).then I meet with him again in a couple of weeks.

The echo tech had me in tears when I left the office with what she thought she saw. But I am going to assume at this point that, since the doctor hasn't called me, it must not be too serious. Safe assumption, right?

Other than that, I have been trying to get out for walks, pick what flowers I want in the yard, reading, crocheting and working. I haven't posted book reviews in a while. I need to gt on that...sorry!

Wishing you all a great weekend!