In Stride..... new challenge at work

We have a new challenge at work to get healthy and it started last Thursday. No, I didn't challenge YOU with the same challenge, but think I will throw it 'out there' just for you to consider doing on your own. What could 'In Stride' possibly be? I'm sure you have already figured it out!

Our challenge, put out by my company, is to walk a MINIMUM of 6,000 a day. THAT is very do-able, my friend! I must admit, when I am at 5,500 and it is getting late in the day, I do a little extra walking around the house just so I can get over the 6,000 mark! What's in it for me if I complete this challenge of 6,000 steps every day from January 16 to February 13? I get $250 added to my HSA account next year. Yeah, I'm doing all the challenges and things I can do to earn that. This past year I received a $300 deposit in my HSA account AND I have NO COPAY on my insurance card AND I got a drop in my insurance rate. YES, my company wants to help me get healthy, and be healthy, by presenting us all with incentives to lose weight, get healthy, and MOVE (as in moving the body). :-)

WOW. My computer just shut down on me. Totally. I hope that isn't a sign of things going on. Last week I was having difficulty with it as well - screen going black in the middle of things..... guess I need to find my little thingy... what is that called.... uh.... savedisk or something like that - oh yeah - a thumb drive, isn't it? Anyway, need to find it and get one of my boys to show me - AGAIN - how to save to it. I sure would hate to lose my photos and other things I have on here. I've lost so many things when other computers have shut down and died.

Anyway - back to my previous topic of getting healthy.... we all need to start looking at not only what we are eating, but when we are eating it, and also how much we are eating. Let's leave exercise out of it at this point, although we should be at least walking. I find when I am stressed, or anxious, or bored, I tend to eat more. And it is usually the salty/sweet things I go for. I need to reach for fruit or celery or something else to munch on if 'I have to have it'. When I'm hurt, I'm not like some people who throw up or can't eat or go into major depression. I'm not pointing fingers at anyone for I know a few people like that. I may feel very sad that there are problems, but rarely does anything come between me and my food.

Today I have fixed a healthy chicken salad for the ladies' tea that I am going to attend in a few hours. I am not eating bread right now, so will save a scoop when I fix the sandwiches for the others and will have just the scoop of chicken salad. I won't eat the cookies and dessert, but we will have soup today and perhaps a salad. I'll have plenty to eat - and lots of different teas to drink. It is always a fun time to spend with friends over tea and catch up with what is going on with them. Work had kept from from several of these last year, but I pushed through and had the tea party at my house in November, we skipped December, and here it is January and we are ready to start our monthly tea parties again. Hopefully I can attend most of them.

I usually do the cooking on weekends so it will be healthy as well. In all fairness, when hubby cooks during the week, it is usually healthy. Overall, I guess we do eat pretty well. And then go sit down and watch TV or read. Hmmmmm.... maybe THAT is the cause of my 'spread'.... instead of sitting down, I need to get on the treadmill! Will have to ponder that thought. Hey, at least I'm THINKING about it!

I threw out a challenge for my family earlier this month, and one son threw a challenge back at me - which is a good thing. It gives ME motivation to not just give the challenge to get healthy and lose weight, but for me to ACTUALLY GET HEALTHY AND LOSE WEIGHT - RATHER THIS HORRIBLE BELLY FAT!! And I need to take his challenge seriously. Especially since our weather is so nice right now.

Maybe after the tea party I can take Marley for a walk. She would like that, I'm sure! She just leads a dog's life. She loves the outdoors, that's for sure.

Ok - need to fix my face and hair for the party - at least I've gotten dressed! Hubby will be home from his meeting soon and I need to be ready to go as he is taking my van in for an oil change/tire rotation this morning and will have to take me to the tea party.

Hope that you have a great Saturday. Give yourself a challenge, a goal, a new outlook, starting today. Mend that relationship (that alone will make you feel better). (rest of blog deleted on purpose).

Blessings!