My weight loss journey started 2 years ago, and I’ve lost more than expected which is fine as long as it doesn’t affect my health. I’m now 70 pounds down without reducing my intake but lab work will tell what deficiencies I have if any. I found this information on the CDC site while searching for the average weight of American women and what the BMI ranges are for my weight.

How is BMI calculated?

How is BMI interpreted for adults?

For adults 20 years old and older, BMI is interpreted using standard weight status categories. These categories are the same for men and women of all body types and ages.

By the BMI ranges I am in the healthy weight category but you will be surprised at what is considered the normal weight for women in America.

American women aged 20 years old and up weigh an average of 170.8 pounds (lbs), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source. If you use the normal weight range suggested, I am underweight. That may be the case but 170 pounds is too high for me. 

I’m not making an effort to lose more weight, I haven’t changed my eating habits. I did lose an extra 10 pounds after leaving the hospital in December 2023.

What are your thoughts about weight ranges and BMI, I’m curious what you think. 

Melinda

References:

https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/adult_bmi/index.html#Interpreted

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321003

Music has been a part of my life since I was a small child. My father loved music and would play Elvis and Hank Willims Sr. and dance, having a blast. I like many types of music except Techno and Rap. When Rap got nasty, I stopped listening.

Here are some songs I listened to this morning.

In 1978 I saw the Eagles when they came through town during the Hotel California tour. I will never forget this song and it remains one of my favorites.

Hotel California truly showcases the work of Joe Walsh, he contributed to the Eagle’s success.

Eagles – Hotel California (Live 1977) (Official Video)

Blake Shelton – Boys ‘Round Here ft. Pistol Annies & Friends (Official Music Video)

Blake Shelton – Hillbilly Bone (ft. Trace Adkins) (Official Music Video)

Courtesy Of The Red, White And Blue (The Angry American) (Official Music Video)

This song makes me cry every time I hear it, it is as relevant today as it was on 9/11.

Enjoy.

Melinda

In this fast-paced social media world, it can be difficult to find the time to look within or back in time. I hope you find these quotes and questions interesting. I’m so glad you stopped by today!

Continue reading “Deep Thoughts” →

Every single day of our lives, we are making choices about our future. Whether we like it or not, there is no getting away from the choices we have to make and so the best thing that we can do is be smart about those decisions. You don’t have to be a decisive person to know what you want in life, but have you thought ahead? Not just for your career, but for your distant retirement? Have you considered where you’d like to travel and where you want to live? These are the biggest decisions that you’ll make in life, but you need to make those decisions with great thought. Every single time you choose something to do in life, it’s got to align with your life goals, but that’ll only work if you know what your life goals are.

There will be moments that you think that you are making the wrong choices, but the honest truth is that there is no such thing as a wrong choice. Everything you choose to do will eventually lead you in the right direction, whether it’s about your future senior care options or your job prospects. The key is in weaving away from the impulsive decisions and thinking better about each decision. Let’s take a look at six tips that will help you to choose better things in your life.

Image Source: Pexels

Always Be Aware Of Your Own Goals

It’s so hard to make choices for yourself when you are busy thinking about everyone else around you. You should always be aware of the decisions that you want to make for yourself based on what YOU want. The best way to make any decisions is to keep your goals at the forefront of your mind at all times. If you know you want a comfortable retirement one day, base your choices on how you can have that comfort. If you know you want a house of your own one day, start saving some of your income now.

Get Advice, Choose Your Own Path

You can ask everyone you know what you should do about XYZ, but that doesn’t mean that you have to ever take anyone else’s advice. You should always go with your gut. No one but you knows what you feel day to day and no one else is living your life. If you’re going to ask for advice, be prepared to hear different opinions but when it comes down to it, the only opinion that counts? It’s yours.

Listen To Your Instinct

Every decision that you make needs to match your instincts. If you want to know that you have money set aside for in-home senior care one day, saving it up is a must. If you want to make sure that you don’t have to sell your home for your future, start being smart about your investments. Life is a big deal as it is, and you should always listen to what your instincts are telling you to do. Going with your gut isn’t a bad thing. In fact, it could lead you to some amazing experiences in life.

Mind Your Frame Of Mind

It’s so much easier to make destructive decisions when you are in a bad mood or a poor frame of mind. If you want to make good decisions, you need to know that you are in the right mood for it. Never make any decisions about changing your life if you are currently angry with your boss or dealing with rubbish from your landlord. There are so many ways that you can make a bad decision, so wait until you know you are thinking straight before you make a choice.

Believe In Yourself

You really have to make a choice and not question it. Trusting yourself can be the hardest part of making a decision and the person that you need to trust before anyone else is yourself. Trust that you know what you want and you can make the best decisions for yourself.

Practice Making Those Decisions

The only way to be better at making the right choices for you is to practice doing it. You should make this a part of your daily routine and be more confident in your actions as a result. Over time, you’ll feel way more in control of the choices that you make for your future. You deserve to know what you want and you deserve to grab it all with both hands. Don’t be afraid!

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Thank you for all the great feedback on the Blogger Highlight series, I’ve enjoyed meeting each blogger and sharing their site with you. This week we highlight Mrs. Claire Gutknecht.

Mrs. Claire Gutknecht

Through my blog posts, I’ll take you behind the scenes of my daily life, offering glimpses into the challenges and triumphs of juggling multiple roles. From practical tips on organization and time management to heartwarming stories of family adventures, you’ll find a little bit of everything here.

So, whether you’re a fellow multitasker looking for solidarity or simply curious about the inner workings of a Wife-of-all-Trades, I invite you to join me on this journey. Together, we’ll celebrate the beauty of versatility and the joy of embracing life’s many twists and turns. Welcome to my world—it’s sure to be an adventure!

Her topics range from culinary to everyday tasks, each posts is a surprise in itself.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

This topic came to mind several weeks ago but I was unsure what to write and where I could find supporting evidence that this is true. Logically it makes sense but my logic doesn’t always apply due to my cognitive impairment. Many of you know snippets of my struggles with my Mental Health and I’m always looking for ways to add joy to my life.

Here is what I found

Each of us has our own “comfort zone” which, more than an actual place, is a psychological/emotional/ behavioral construct that defines the routine of our daily life. Being in one’s comfort zone implies familiarity, safety, and security. It describes the patterned world of our existence, keeps us relatively comfortable and calm, and helps us stay emotionally even, free from anxietyand worry to a great degree. Creating a comfort zone is a healthy adaptation for much of our lives. But so is stepping out of our comfort zone when it’s time to transition, grow, and transform.

In my book Transitions, I describe a major life change and how I was affected and changed by it. Many years ago my husband had a wonderful job opportunity that promised to be very fulfilling but it meant that we had to move across the country. The physical move would be hard for both of us but my husband would be going to the safety of a job and the familiarity of a work environment according to Psychology Today.

I was surprised by the number of articles that came up in my first search. My second search is focused on the facts, reading doctor’s papers written on the. topic. That is where you find out if the theory is accepted as a fact or is still unproven. Unproven papers are good to read is very clear on their theory and if they support the theory of the research.

My second search supported the theory

Like a warm, familiar embrace, a comfort zone can be both encouraging and confining. A popular area of study for mental health practitioners, behavior therapists, and others with careers in psychology, its pros and cons have been widely contemplated. While comfort zones encourage composure and calm, they can also inhibit growth. To make the most of your life, you must learn to balance these forces. When they’re handled well, you can push past personal boundaries to achieve and develop while still keeping a relaxing space in your mind to retreat to when you need to recharge or contemplate.

Acknowledging and wisely deciding when to embrace and break through boundaries is critical to career and life success.

To make the most of the comfort zones in your life, you must learn to balance time in and outside of them. For personal growth, it’s necessary to take risks and endure some ego discomfort;³ however, it’s also important to spend time healing and contemplating in the nurturing environs of your comfort zone. Being aware of your comfort zone boundaries is a great first step—and as time passes, you can expand that space to embrace more activities and experiences.

The Benefits of Leaving Your Comfort Zone By Harvard

As you train for your 5k, you can see how speeding up your walking pace and pushing yourself to jog — getting outside your comfort zone — can help you develop the fitness, stamina, and mental fortitude to run your race.

But there are a number of benefits to moving outside of your comfort zone and challenging yourself to grow beyond just crossing the finish line.

Achieving your goals. Not everything you want to achieve in life will be easy. By moving beyond your comfort zone into the growth zone, you’ll be able to do just that: grow. You’ll find yourself becoming more productive, achieving more, and reaching the goals you set for yourself — if you’re willing to put in the work.

Boosting your self-confidence. Accomplishment brings self-confidence, especially if you worked hard, challenged yourself, and saw it through. And the boost in self-confidence you get after achieving one goal can push you to achieve more.

Expanding your world. Stepping out of your comfort zone means learning new things, meeting new people, seeing new places, and trying new experiences. All of these can serve to help expand your awareness of the world and how you fit into it and may introduce you to new interests or areas of study you want to explore.

Building your resilience. Challenging yourself to move outside your comfort zone can increase your resilience as well. You’ll gain more confidence in how you handle failure or setbacks and become more comfortable with increased levels of stress, anxiety, and uncertainty.

Giving you self-agency: Finally, by stepping outside your comfort zone often, you’ll learn more about yourself and gain more control over how you want your life to look and what you want to do with it.

I didn’t find evidence that is an accepted theory but I found articles written over many years that suggest it’s true and for me, that works. There are many reasons why time can be an issue for you not jumping in and made more difficult for the chronically ill and disabled. Keep looking for the little joys in life.

Melinda

References:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/in-flux/201512/5-benefits-stepping-outside-your-comfort-zone

https://www.waldenu.edu/programs/psychology/resource/the-pros-and-cons-of-comfort-zones

www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/in-flux/201512/5-benefits-stepping-outside-your-comfort-zone

www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/WindTunnel/Activities/first2nd_lawsf_motion.html
www.forbes.com/sites/annlatham/2018/04/11/16-reasons-why-you-should-get-out-of-your-comfort-zone-now/ – 7cfc642062e5

https://summer.harvard.edu/blog/leaving-your-comfort-zone/

From Brindin.com

Relax in an all-natural moisturizing detox bath that soothes dry skin while you de-stress. This bath soak has the beautiful look and feel of fresh snow PLUS it leaves skin feeling silky soft and promotes better sleep.

• Magnesium Sulfate:  Popularly known as Epsom Salt.  Magnesium is used for treating anxiety, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), Lyme disease, fibromyalgia, leg cramps, migraine headaches, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), restless leg syndrome, skin infections and more.
• Sodium Bicarbonate:  Popularly known as Baking Soda. Sodium bicarbonate makes bath water alkaline which soothes irritated skin, relieves pain or itching, and leaves the skin feeling silky.
• Virgin Coconut Oil: Virgin coconut oil is pressed from the “meat” of the coconut. It has a high content of lanauric acid which is anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial. It aids in skin healing and moisturizing.
• Sweet Almond Oil: Almond oil is pressed from edible almonds. It is rich in Vitamin E, monounsaturated fatty acids, and proteins plus minerals and vitamins. It is good for moisturizing and healing skin.
• Essential Oils:
  • Lemon Essential Oil is distilled from the peel of the lemon. It is high in d-limonene, a powerful antioxidant. Lemon oil is nourishing to the skin, improves mood, and supports the immune system.
  • Peppermint Essential Oil is derived from the leaves of the peppermint plant. It helps increase blood flow to the skin, is muscle-soothing, and has a mentally relaxing effect
  • Rosemary Essential Oil is distilled from the fresh flowering tops of the fragrant evergreen plant. It is used to stimulate blood circulation, relieve headaches and muscle aches, reduce stress, and boost the immune system.

This all-natural moisturizing detox bath soothes dry skin while raising magnesium levels to aid in de-stressing. This bath soak leaves skin feeling silky soft and supple and promotes better sleep.

Makes: 5 baths

INGREDIENTS

• 1/4 cup Coconut Oil (melted)
• 1/4 cup Almond Oil
• 40-80 drops Essential Oils (lemon, rosemary, peppermint)
• 3 cups Epsom Salts
• 2 cups Baking Soda

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Whisk together the melted coconut oil and almond oil.
2. Stir in essential oils. (10-20 drops lemon, 10-20 drops rosemary, 20-40 drop peppermint)
3. Add Epsom salts and baking soda, and stir to combine.
4. The bath salts will have the texture of fresh snow.

Store in an air-tight jar. 

HOW TO TAKE A MOISTURIZING DETOX BATH

Take a magnesium bath at night just before going to bed for best results. The magnesium will help you relax while the moisturizing ingredients soothe and soften the skin.

To prepare a bath: Fill the tub with hot water.  Add the Magnesium Detox Bath salts then soak for 20-30 minutes. Add music, candles, a good book, or an interesting podcast to make bath time more enjoyable.

Make sure to have a cold glass of drinking water within reach to rehydrate during the bath. After soaking pat dry and go to bed.

DETOX BATH WARNINGS

If you have any medical conditions or take prescription medicines you should consult with your doctor before taking a moisturizing detox bath. Hot bath water can cause dehydration and dizziness. You should drink lots of water while taking a detox bath and never take a detox bath when using drugs or alcohol.

Enjoy!

It sounds very easy to make and it’s great that you can make 5 baths worth per batch. Makes a great gift too.

Melinda

Willow & Sage by Stampington

By Kaetlyn Kennedy

These are some great tips from one of my favorite book-a-zine, Willow and Sage by Stampington, I also subscribe to Field Guide and have read several others over the years. These are not your typical magazines, they have a hard softback, over 1/2 thick and the content will blow you away.

Made from stinging nettle plants, organic nettle tea can help relieve seasonal allergy symptoms with its natural antihistamine. You reap all the benefits of antihistamine symptom relief without taking conventional medicines. You can drink the daily as a preventative or as needed.

Spirulina is a superfood full of amazing plant nutrients, like iron, calcium, vitamins A and C, and protein. While great for overall health, spiraling may be beneficial during allergy season because it is high in antioxidants and has been shown to protect the body from anything that might compromise the immune system. It is high in chlorophyll and is detoxifying. Other superfoods like Kale, turmeric, mace powder, hemp, and flax reduce inflammation and boost your immune system.

A probiotic can help boost your gut and immune system health, which plays a big part in seasonal allergies. You can digest probiotics by eating fermented items like sauerkraut, and kombucha, or by taking a supplement. Make sure it is a high-quality probiotic from an organic source.

Apple Cider Vinegar is detoxifying and practically a remedy for everything. Taking as little as 1 tablespoon a day can help you feel and be healthier, which will, in turn, reduce your allergy symptoms. Make sure you purchase unfiltered organic Apple Cider Vinegar.

Essential oils, such as melaleuca, peppermint, lavender, frankincense, lemon, and eucalyptus, help with seasonal allergy relief. I like to fill a roller bottle with carrier oil and 5-10 drops of each chosen essential oil. I apply this to my nose, temples, and behind my ears when I begin to feel swollen or puffy, as well as to the bottom of my feet. You can use these as needed as well as preventative.

Here’s to your health!

Melinda

Repost from 2020

As many of us are finding ourselves at home for work at the moment, it can feel a little disorientating having to go back and forth in the same space. With that being said, there’s a lot that you can do to make working from home a more enjoyable experience. Remote working might be something that’s even more common in the future so it’s worth exploring what you can do to make it a healthy environment for yourself. Here are some tips to stay healthy whilst working from home.

Set Up A Separate Workspace

A separate workspace is something that you want to try and incorporate as best as you can. Even if you’re setting up a temporary wall in your living or dining room area so that it can feel like you’re stepping into an office. If you have a study room, then you certainly want to take advantage of this as this can provide the workspace you need to thrive. When you’re working from home, the last thing you want to do is to be sharing the communal spaces or using space like the living room or your bedroom and blurring those lines. If you’ve had a hard day at work and you’ve been doing it in the living room, you’ll probably want to avoid that space from then on. It can end up hindering your home space, so it’s worth finding a setup that can work in the home but is not going to encroach on the space where you relax at the end of the day.

Take Advantage Of Lighting Features On Your Devices

When it comes to your electronic devices, whether that be your laptop or your phone, it’s worth tweaking the lighting. This is when you need to adjust it during early morning starts or late nights. The light from our phones and computers can be quite harsh on our eyes so knowing how to go into dark mode here can be beneficial. It’s always good to know what the dangers are when it comes to spending too much time in front of a computer screen. It’s important to find options that can help reduce the impact of screen time, and it may be worth you getting some glasses that can block blue light. This can be helpful in your eyes and give them a rest from the harsh lights that come from our screens.

It’s important to focus on your break times when it comes to working from home. You want to ensure you’re still getting those breaks to help you reset your batteries and give yourself a break from the workload that you have. When it comes to regular breaks, make sure you’re stepping away from your desk and stretching your body. You mustn’t be sat down in a seat for hours on end. You should be getting up and going for regular walks around the home to help keep your body moving. Be sure to take a proper lunch break as well and practice eating away from your desk if you tend to eat at the desk. 

Schedule Your Day

Scheduling your day is important because it’s going to help keep you motivated to do the work you’ve set out to do. Try to incorporate the breaks into your schedule so you know when you have some free time coming up and that it won’t interrupt anything you’re doing that might break your productivity. Some people like to schedule their day hour by hour, whereas others like to do it morning and afternoon. Others might find that they just have a to-do list that’s in order of when they do it. It’s good to find and practice what works for you so that you’re getting the most out of your day.

You might want to buy yourself a physical planner or perhaps look at online platforms that you can use to set out your tasks. Explore what’s possible and what works well for your productivity levels. We’re all different so we’ll all need to work a little differently!

Stick To Your Working Hours

Your working hours should be the same as they were if you were in the office. So if you’re starting at 9am, start at 9am. Be strict with yourself and your employer because, for some, they may try and take advantage of the fact you no longer have the commuting time to factor in. It’s still important that you’re doing the hours that you’re paid to do and that you’re not overworking yourself. That’s not something that’s going to be helpful for you, and we’re all only capable of doing so many hours of creative work before we burn out. Your working hours might not be exactly the times you usually do but try and get as close to them as possible.

Continue To Eat Healthily

To stay healthy, it’s important to continue to eat healthy when working from home. When working at home, there can be a lot of temptation within your kitchen cupboards, and if you’re doing more hours from home, then you may do your weekly shopping accordingly. This might be that you have more food than you would while in your workplace. Try to be strict with your food intake and be sure to not eat too much throughout the day as it’s going to leave you feeling lethargic, especially if you’re not doing much exercise. Try to keep yourself fit and healthy both in body and mind, which a lot of it can be influenced by the food we eat. 

Staying healthy while working from home can prove to be a challenge, but it’s important to do. Use these tips to help stay healthy during these remote working occasions. 

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Repost

I liked the other Theme better but I could not get the widgets to work, so I went back to a Theme I used a long time ago. The only thing I still have to work on is the date is not standing out. Of course, I will play with the fonts more, it takes me some time to pick, and I love looking at all the options.

I hope the headline doesn’t look as big once published.

Have a great day.

Melinda

Thank you for all the great feedback on the Blogger Highlight series, I’ve enjoyed meeting each blogger and sharing their site with you. This week we highlight Nine Cent Girl.     

Nine Cent Girl

Looking for the Light