Friday Randomness
First off, I received my gift from the Secret SANta gift exchange! It’s so fun to receive a gift in the mail (sorry Canadian friends! I hope your postal strike resolves soon!) and to see what someone has picked out for you. A big Thank-You to my Secret SANta, Penny, for this wonderful gift! What a fun holiday themed mug! And lots of treats to go with it!
In other blog friend news, Kyria and I are having breakfast today! She’s in the area for the holidays. I’m really looking forward to meeting her. I think we need to do more local meetups, there are several people in Northern California.
I’ve finally written up the last of my book reviews that I had in mind for NaBloPoMo. I’ve posted a few already, and there are a few more coming. I’m posting them daily to get through them. I don’t know if I would do this theme again, I don’t feel like new readers got any sense of who I am other than a reader. But still, it was great to get them all complete and off of my plate.
What else. Well, I’ve updated my workout routine. I’ve been really good about my yoga, I’ve done a Yoga with Adrienne videos every day in 2024, save January 1st, because I started out doing her 30 days of yoga for the year, and January has 31 days. I have been less good about strength training. I started out strong with a challenge to increase my reps of four basic moves every day for 30 days (crunches, lunges, squats, and push-ups) but that got pretty boring after awhile and I tapered off and eventually quit. I started doing some weights sometimes, but I was very inconsistent about it. I start my day with my word games (Wordle and so on) and a cup of tea, then do my yoga, then go for my walk, then plop my butt down for work at 8:00. I try to fit in some hand weights, but if I’m busy, or if I’m lazy, or if I’m kind of busy and kind of lazy, I think, “I’ll do it tomorrow”, and of course, tomorrow never comes. Then Jamie posted about finding 45 minutes of exercise every day for the last 45 days of 2024, and I liked that. So I went and poked around, lots of folks have recommended Caroline Girvan workouts on YouTube. So I tried a couple of those and liked how simple they are. Not a lot of talking, not a lot of jumping around. OK, I can do this. However, if I’m going to do it consistently, I need to do it before work. I’m not motivated after work, and during my lunch break at work is rough. So I looked at her videos. She has an Iron Series with a 6 week schedule, and you work out every day except Thursdays and Saturdays. The Iron Series has 30+ minute workouts, though, and if I’m still going to do my yoga and my walk, which I do want to do, that’s pushing it. So my solution is to take her Iron Series schedule, but find 20 minute workouts instead. You know what? I do not love my time lifting weights. Likely I never will. But it’s important and really good for me, and I DO love the feeling of doing something to try to build back some of the muscle loss from menopause. So I’m doing it. And 5 days a week is perfect. I really look forward to Thursdays and Saturdays, and I don’t feel guilty about not doing weights on those days. Thank you to Caroline, you 40-year old fitness buff, former accountant, mother of 2, personal trainer, and now YouTube sensation from Northern Ireland! And Thank You to all of you who have been working out with her and thus motivated me. Does anyone else have some other weight lifting YouTube workouts to recommend for the pushing-60 crowd who just wants to work with hand weights, in case I get bored with these?
What else else. Well, last weekend was busy busy busy. Friday we went to Ted’s company holiday party, which was fun but was work related, so we left after about 90 minutes and went for a delicious dinner. Saturday we went to a holiday party with some of our friends, whom Ted has known since High School. They are really nice and we know everyone there, it’s a small enough gathering to not feel overwhelming. That was a lovely time. Then Monday evening we went to a SF club to see a British Progressive Rock Band, The Pineapple Thief. Ted wrote up a review here, so I won’t repeat that except to say that I really enjoyed the music quite a bit! I had been listening to their music via Alexa since he bought tickets back in May, but not often, just now and then when I remembered, so I only knew a couple of songs. But they were great, I enjoyed the music, and it was a lot of fun. Upsides: Seeing people of all ages (from early 20s to early 70s, if I had to guess) in the audience; seeing top rate musicians at a small venue where we were in the 3rd row, so had a great view; great music on a Monday night; having Tuesday off from work and actually being able to sleep in until 9:00! Downsides: Arthritis in my feet means my feet were hurting the entire time we were there, from 7:30 to 11:00, and I wished there had been more seating; tall guy standing in front of me. I kind of think they should plan concerts and plays like they do group pictures, with tall folks in the back. I’m generally stuck behind a tall man, whether I’m sitting or standing. This guy was about 6′ 3″. I could see around him, and didn’t really miss much, but yeah, most of my view was his back.
What else else else…eggs are going up in price again around here, due to an outbreak of bird flu. I buy expensive eggs anyway, I like pasture raised – I feel better for the chickens and they also taste better. They may be scarce for a bit now. I heard on the radio that the SF Zoo had to lock down their bird house after the body of a wild bird was found on site with bird flu. Scary!
I’m at that happy time of the holidays when I have all of my cards and gifts that need to be delivered out in the mail, and I have time to do some shopping for local gifts. Our plans are a bit up in the air, as far as how many people will be at Christmas Day, and what the menu will be, but we have almost 2 weeks so not too worried about that. I don’t think we have any weekend plans, which is nice after last weekend’s business.
28 Comments
Lisa’s Yarns
I’m a huge fan of CG workouts. I love that she does not talk to us. I don’t like peppy trainers yelling things at me. Just let me do my thing. I do wish her 30 min workouts were actually 30 minutes but they are more like 35-42. I like her iron series best because there are no cardio workouts. Her cardio workouts are HARD!! Not now that running season is coming to a close (current temp here is -4F. Sob.) I will do her cardio workouts, too.
Have the best time with Kyria. She is one of my favorite people! Give her a hug from me!!
J
I agree, what I like most about the videos is that she isn’t talking to me the entire time. Though Adrianne does that with the yoga, and it doesn’t bother me there, unless she goes off on a tangent when I want to know the pose. LOL.
I haven’t tried any of CG’s cardio, I tend to try to stay as low impact as I can, it aggravates my RA.
Elisabeth
Oh my goodness! Kyria. She has seen bloggers across the continent and I had the BEST time when she visited me in Nova Scotia.
The price of just about everything is truly astonishing, at least here in Canada (I assume inflation is almost as bad in the US?).
I just started doing CG workouts at the new gym my husband and I joined. I’ve just picked random videos so far but they are intense. I’ve been sore the next morning every single time! I can see why she’s so popular. I had no idea she had two kids. Wowzers. What would my kids think if I was that toned? It will never happen, but I appreciate her enthusiasm for fitness.
J
Interesting, you’re doing video workouts at the gym? Do they have a screen there you work with? I haven’t belonged to a gym in SO LONG, that the equipment was totally analog back then.
Agree that I will never be that toned. Clearly her love for fitness has always been there, and she works hard at it. I liked reading her backstory, that she was an accountant and really into fitness, then quit the desk job and started doing personal training, and then when the COVID lockdown happened, her clients asked her to put videos on line for them. Lockdown did a lot for her and for Adrienne, who was already big at the time but her popularity really exploded in 2020.
Elisabeth
I just set my phone up on a window ledge and navigate to YouTube and put on a workout and follow along. It works well! (There is one TV for the whole space and that has TV channels, but I haven’t used that ever.)
That is so cool how both women have really forged their own path and now have such a beloved following.
AC
You seem ot be having a busy but enjoyable season. As for exercize, consistency is my big issue, and my exercize has to be pretty moderate to beging with, so I should be able to do better. Alas, I am weak of mind.
J
Consistency is the hardest thing for me too. Having a set schedule is helping so far.
nance
Lucky you! Time with Kyria. She’s been making the rounds (except in NEO, sigh).
Eggs are about $4.50 a dozen here right now at my grocery store. I don’t use eggs very often, so it isn’t affecting me. Produce is going up, and it will go up even more after January since we get so much from Canada, and idiots don’t know how tariffs work.
Don’t get me started.
We just got socked in with snow and subzero wind chills, so I haven’t been able to get out and walk at all. I shovelled, though, and that was a good workout.
Hey! Your book reviews helped me select a gift for my future daughter-in-law. I got her The Wedding People, and I know she’ll love it.
J
Oh yay! I hope your future daughter-in-law enjoys the book!
I think the cheapest eggs around here are about $6 a dozen right now, but not sure. The ones we like are more like $10 or $11, and always have been. The issue is that the egg section of the store is kind of sparse right now due to the bird flu, which sucks. We eat a lot of eggs.
Birchie
I’m excited/jealous that you’re meeting Kyria today! Have fun!
I did CG workouts for about a year and really liked them, but also what you said about needing to keep things in the 30 minute range. Why did I stop? Exactly what you said – weight lifting just isn’t my jam. But even so I really liked her workouts. Iron is great, there is the Advent series that is all short workouts, and you can easily shorten Epic Endgame to 30-ish minutes by skipping the 100 rep finishers. Lots of good stuff!
I said it before and I will say it again – I would not have read The Berry Pickers if you hadn’t reminded me about it, so I say bring on the book reviews!
J
I have been doing mostly the advent workouts, they are just the right amount of time for me! Maybe I’ll increase my weights time from 20 to 30 minutes at some point, but not yet.
Margaret
I love blog meet ups and have made some Washingtonian friends that way! I admire you for your consistent and varied workouts. I should do some strength training but end up just walking–which is helpful for my legs but not other places that need work. The parties sound fun! I haven’t been to one for a long time. My late husband and I used to host one but when he died, that tradition went away.
J
Blog meet ups are great! It’s funny because Kyria used to live here, and we never met up then. Now that she’s on the road we managed it, which is great!
Alexandra
Those of us living in Canada will be a little envious of you getting mail and not only that, Secret Santa mail. What a lovely Christmas-themed gift too. And I didn’t know Twinnings did a Christmas tea. Now I have to go looking for it.
I’m guessing all the exercise came in handy with all the lovely concert/parties you did this last week. Me and mine have only had to do one so far this season. Their Christmas dinner. Which wasn’t so bad. I’m not a fan.
Oh, and keep the reviews coming, I for one am always interested in seeing what everyone’s reading.
J
I hope your strike ends soon, what a pain! I mean, people aren’t getting their passports and checks and things, that’s ROUGH.
Kyria @ Travel Spot
The funny thing is that a lot of what you said in this post is what we talked about today! It was so fun to meet you in person and you have inspired me to figure out a workout schedule. I will definitely plan to take a walk or hike or run every day for the rest of this year, but definitely need to also add some sort of yoga/strength workout.
I liked your book reviews as they gave me some ideas. However, I do think that for NaBloPoMo, if you are trying to meet new people, it may limit your reach since you are more niched down.
J
It was SO LOVELY to meet in person, spend time with the kitties, have a nice walk, and then camp out at the restaurant for hours. I’m glad you were able to fit me in, and that I have Fridays off and could manage it too!
I agree about the book reviews. I enjoyed doing them, but they didn’t give new readers a taste of my blog. I did a couple of extra posts during the month, so I guess they could learn a bit about me with those. I doubt I would do 30 reviews in a month again, though. I think that was a lot of pent up reading!
Nicole MacPherson
Oh how fun, I expect a FULL RECAP of your time with Kyria!!!
Yay for the yoga and strength training. I started strength training in 2021 and I was extremely reluctant to do so. I love daily yoga! I love my Peloton, my walks, all the things, but I HATE STRENGTH TRAINING. However, I do it because I don’t want my bones to crumble. I have also heard it is the one thing that really helps with aging and menopause. I mean, it makes sense. Our muscle mass decreases with age. But wow, do I hate it. The only way I can tolerate it is to do it in small doses 4x a week. The guys all strength train for like 60-90 minutes and I’m like…how? How do you not lose your mind? IT’S SO BORING TO ME. But even with my short little programs (the guys made up a program for me) I have found incredible increases in strength. When I started I was lifting little three and five pound weights, now it’s like 20-25 pounds. That’s gratifying. But still, it’s a chore for me. I find if I write it in my calendar and then check it off, at least I have that boost of “I did it.”
Your secret Santa gift is so fun! I don’t know Penny at all, I will have to check her out!
J
I am looking forward to increasing my weights! I am using 5 and 10 pound weights right now, and they are just starting to feel manageable after about 2 weeks of being more consistent. I was doing SOME weights before, so I didn’t start from scratch.
I really enjoyed my time with Kyria yesterday!
Maya
What a fun bunch of updates!
Love that you’re so ahead on holiday prep
…and I’m really going to have to check out CG…
Stephany
I’ve been doing more evening workouts since joining a gym as that’s when the class schedule works best for me. But I’ve started going to a morning spin class on Tuesdays and it is SO NICE to have my workout done by 7am. I used to really struggle doing evening workouts, especially when I wasn’t working from home. I’m glad this new schedule is working out for you!
YAY for meeting Kyria! And from the comments, it sounds like it was a wonderful time for the both of you.
J
I used to love an evening workout, but where I am right now, I do NOT. I want my evenings to be lazy. I like to be finished with it and not have to think about it anymore once I start work. But yeah, there have been years and years when evenings were best, so I think it’s best to embrace what works for you right now. And I can accept that that may change again and again.
NGS
Am I the only one who doesn’t care if they talk or not because I mute all workout videos and put on my own music/podcast/audiobooks? Unless it’s yoga, I do not care. This post inspired me to go back to CG’s Advent series. Those workouts are short enough for me to get them done after work!
J
I haven’t tried that, putting on my own audio with the video. I really should, but I do my weights when everyone else is asleep, and the only place to hear anything is from the TV, and I don’t want to use my phone. Blah blah blah. I may consider figuring it out, though, if I try another workout where they talk too much.
Daria
When I saw Caroline Girvan’s reference I immediately thought of Lisa, from Lisa’s Yarns. I have taken the first step towards weights: opened her YouTube channel, got overwhelmed, and closed it lol will try again once I’m over the stomach flu. Like you, I don’t enjoy them, rush through them, and prefer yoga 100%.
That’s amazing that you and Kyria have met! I love when two bloggers meet up in real life. I’ve met Lisa (from the yarns blog) since she is often in New Jersey, and tried meeting up with Coco (from our new journey) in Paris (!) but that didn’t happen.
J
I tried Caroline Girvan months ago and it was a bit too hard (dead bug workout – I like dead bugs but that video is a LOT of them.) Now I’m digging in and enjoying it! And when I say I’m enjoying it, I mean I’m enjoying the satisfaction of DOING it, but I don’t really enjoy it while I’m in the middle of it.
San
Oh how fun you got together with Kyra. You’re right – we should organize a NorCal blogger meetup sometime in the new year. We’re not all super-close together, but I am sure we could all meet somewhere in the middle 😉 that would be awesome!
I am also very happy to hear you got such a lovely Secret SANta Package from Penny. I love seeing all the different postings the last week or so <3
TJs had NO EGGS last week… I was like, what is going on… and then I connected the dots. Sigh. It's either one thing or another (and yes to everything being so freakin' expensive).
J
Thank you for organizing the Swap, it’s definitely fun. I do NOT need a new mug, but I love my nutcracker mug so I’m leaning in to it.