Year Four, Day 339: Retreat

Hello Friends! 

Once again, I apologize for my absence.  I have been on a bit of a retreat lately.

A retreat of the water fasting kind.  

And a 21- day personal challenge.  To make some major changes. 

Mostly of the losing weight, improving health, relieving pain, increasing flexibility and gaining energy kind.

I am on a mission. 

 I am super motivated to take my personal improvement to the next level for several reasons:

1. I gained nearly 10 pounds during quarantine. Anxious eating, and a lot less walking did it!
2. I began selling Avon again.  And ironically, a picture popped up in my Facebook memories from 2009, when I was last an "Avon Lady".  A very overweight me! I am pleased with my progress, these last four years but I feel I can do so much more!
3. I am in pain. All of my joints ache. It is hard going up and down stairs. I have to like hoist myself up using the handrail. I live in the basement of a 3 story townhouse. And I have a 2 1/2 year granddaughter who I care for. She loves playing hide and seek, and of course running up and down stairs! I must admit, several times I slid down the stairs on my bottom (it's carpeted - the stair, not my bottom!) instead of limping down.

So I am on Day 4.  I have lost 4 pounds. I feel more energetic.  I am really sore, but that might be because of the Kung Fu stick workout I did yesterday! (I found the most wonderful channel on Youtube. He combines Kung Fu with Qi Gong! It's called "Kung Fu Life" https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaDeD4g8bMtEzJNFfJIP9dA)


I am so proud of my progress! The timing was perfect for my retreat. My daughter, granddaughter, son-in-law and Honey Dog spent the last 4 days at the beach.  

However, my retreat did coincide with my mother's 77th birthday. We have had several celebration lunches and breakfasts already.

But I took this into consideration. One must enjoy life, family and friends, even whilst water fasting!

I did much careful planning, down to the food I would eat, when I would eat, how much water I would drink and what healthy activities I would do.  I dyed my hair. I bought a new water bottle. It is phenomenal. It is a "Hydrology Water Bottle with 3 LIDS (Straw) Double Wall Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Wide Mouth Hydro Sports Hot & Cold Flask Leakproof Sweat Free Thermos (Aquamarine, 22 oz)"  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07ZK9GF9C/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I am downing 3 of those bad boys filled with ZenWtr a day. I buy bottled water because I hate the taste of tap water. I loving my new water bottle! I fill it with ice and ZenWtr and it stays icy cold all day. At least it is supposed to! I crave the stuff, so it doesn't sit long!

I would eventually like to try a true water fast. What I'm doing now is what I've been doing for the past year - intermittent fasting. But I narrowed my window. I am doing a rigid schedule. I drink only water after 2:00 p.m. I usually have my first meal about 9:30 a.m., unless I am meeting my mom for breakfast. She has always been a super early bird. She's not about to change now. So I humor her. Actually waking up early consistently is a goal of mine. I enjoy my walks in the park, when my only company is the birds. And they be singing!

My daughter and fam came back tonight. So my retreat is pretty much over. But I hope to keep my eating routine going. I am challenging myself on super strict discipline for 21 days. If I  show significant results, I will keep going! If not, I will have to tighten my belt, or narrow my window!

Here is a sample day from my retreat:

6 a.m. rise, drink water with vitamin C and magnesium powder
6:15 a.m. Qi Gong stretching and breathing.
6:30 walk 1/2 mile to bus stop
7:00 a.m. Breakfast with Mother
9:00 a.m. Grocery shopping
10:00 a.m. nap
11:00 a.m. Qi Gong and weighted hula hoop workout
12:30 p.m. Lunch
2:00 pm begin water fast.
2:00 p.m. to about 5:00 p.m. Teach piano students
5:30 p.m. Housework, reading, watch Youtube videos. I am following a kung fu master, a Qi Gong teacher, an aboriginal didgerdoo player from Australia, a ukelele instructor and Tom Grant, a jazz pianist from Portland, Oregon.

I have been practicing didgerdoo, ukelele, Qi Gong and piano.  I also have been attending "Wednesday Night Live with Tom Grant" concerts on Facebook.

See what I can do when I have all this time saved by fasting!

I have been taking a photo every morning of me in the same workout clothes to show my progress. But I will not post before and after pictures until after 21 days.

I have also started doing Qi Gong/ Weight hoop videos again. Documenting keeps me honest. And motivated.

I also hope by blogging about my journey, to keep myself motivated, accountable and honest. That has been my whole focus these last four years of blogging

It works! Especially if I stick with it!

I hope you are well and finding some "me time".  Remember, you are the only one who can make time for yourself. Use it wisely!

Talk to you tomorrow. I hope!

Love,

Zita

P.S. (Oh and I did not mention how OVERJOYED I am to be selling products again! Not only do I simply love their skin care, but it is a wonderful tool for introverted old me to reconnect with friends.  I love packaging up their items and sending little samples and personal notes to them!  I horrible at small talk - so Avon fills that gap for me!)

P.P.S. Here is the painful 2009 Avon Lady Picture: 

Zita, Avon Rep - 2009

Here is a current Avon Lady picture:

Zita, Avon Rep - 2020
youravon.com/zitajefferson

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