A particular Podcast…

Thought I’d pop on here and share my newest favorite podcast. I’ve followed Beth and Matt from their first podcast. They release on Fridays and this is their newest one. It’s about alcohol so thought I’d share it here. It’s hella good and relatable! It’s an hour but so worth it!

Start at the 8minute mark to skip all the intros if you wish.

Beth and Matt do swear so may not be for you if you’re sensitive to swearing.

All is about the same here. Life is good. Have a great day!

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2hDKbWRwdboIJyLVVRDrRb?si=P2ErN_rYQ66kJIrzgkY1Vw

The concert 🎶

This weekend I attended a concert with my oldest daughter that’s 21 years old.

Backstory is it was a small-ish indoor concert and the band is a combination of rap and metal I’d say. My daughter didn’t want to drag some of her friends as they aren’t into that and was going to go alone and my husband I guess told her to ask me. Of course I said yes, any time spent with her I cherish.

It was a long couple days. She’s in college which is 5 hrs away. When we got there we ate and then got ready to go to the concert. Then we drove home the next day.

Here’s some of my takeaway thoughts:

1. I am 50years old and was most definitely the oldest one there. 👵

2. It ended at 11pm and I’m never out that late. 🤓

3. Not my kind of music at all however seeing it live was pretty cool. 🎤

4. Seeing my daughter so happy and in her element was priceless. ❤️

5. This was my first concert I’ve attended without my husband. I was nervous but that ended once I got there and at the venue. ✔️

6. This is also the first concert I’ve attended completely sober. ✔️ I thoroughly enjoyed myself and happy I wasn’t drinking because I would have overlooked how excited my daughter was to see the band. She passionately sang and jumped around, it was great. ❤️ 🕺

7. This concert was standing only and we managed to get pretty close the second half of the concert, so close she could almost touch the lead singer. 🎤

8. She was so happy and vocal after the concert about how thankful she was we drove all that was for me to go with her. It was great to hear. 🥰

9. I slept like shit after the concert as I couldn’t calm down. Then the 5 hr drive home the next day. Slept well last night but still dragging….I guess it’s just my age. 😂🤓☕️

10. Lastly, I see she posted on social media pictures and video of the concert and it’s labeled “The best night of my life.” 😊

I feel whole and I never could have made this happen properly if I was still picking up the bottle every night. I’m still reeling in the rewards of that life changing event.

I’ve been vocal I’m not completely sober, but it’s also not a daily thought anymore and that I love. I didn’t even care I wasn’t drinking at the concert. So nice to be at a point in my life to say that. The struggle to get here was real.

Thanks for reading!

Jackie

Well, I did it. 🏃‍♀️

Yesterday I signed up for my first 5K. I’m excited and nervous! I don’t know what to expect and hope I don’t get lost. I’m assured by many I’ll always have someone around me running to follow. The event is in early May, so just a month away!

It is a timed event however I’m not going for time. I’m enjoying always having a goal to work towards and this is my most recent goal, to just complete one 5k.

To be honest I enjoy running a mile before I workout, after that I’m always looking at my distance. I have bursitis in my knee that may act up with that distance but whatever really, I’m determined to finish.

I’m also doing this on my own. That was part of my goal. Nobody to ride there with, figure things out with etc… “We can do hard things” and this is a challenge for me.

I’ve been running my mile before I workout for quite some time. I’ve upped it the last month to 1.5miles. I’ve only ran 3miles twice, so this should be interesting! I’m sure my legs will be on 🔥 the second half of the race and then a few days after!

So anyway, I’m an over thinker but going to do my best to just make this simple. Just freaking show up and run. Let’s see how this goes! 😬

Thanks for reading! Jackie

A completed new challenge

Today is the last day of a 30 day challenge I signed up for. It was new workouts I could possibly do at home to spice up my routine. I have a small and older workout set up in my basement.

Overall the challenge was about making new habits, being mindful of what you eat and consistency. Oh and a daily, 25 minute walk outside.

At first I wasn’t going to sign up, I have all these things but a daily outside walk. I do like this certified fitness trainer a lot so knew it wasn’t a BS challenge. I am glad I did as I took notes on the new exercises I liked and will incorporate them into my morning routine. We logged our meals via My Fitness Pal. My goal was to watch my protein and fiber. ( The certified fitness coach gave me number goals to reach ) I did learn I was lacking in fiber and have improved that in this challenge. So without droning on, my take aways are new exercises I learned that I can do at home, improved daily fiber and the mind power of getting outside to walk. Can’t complain about that! I also ran my first ever 3 miles this morning. Pretty proud of that!

Downsides are because I am started off already with mindful eating and movement I couldn’t really connect with the group.

I’m happy I joined though. I don’t need a “support group” as I already have a small group of me and 2 others that I check in with daily and have for gosh, 2years now I’d estimate! That’s all I need as we have become very close. ❤️

If you want to keep reading 😂 ( This is a long one! ) Alcohol wise I’m still going strong. Not completely sober however, it doesn’t play any large role in my life anymore. I love working out and feeling strong. I am easily able to be around it and not want it. I’m on an antibiotic and I can’t drink for 7 days with it. This is super easy! I can’t imagine back in the day because this would have been a huge problem. Here’s a pic of me eating lunch with a friend at a brewery, me havjng a root beer. 😃 ( And this was a week or so before I went on antibiotics. )

Thanks for reading my randomness!

Jackie

The big 50 and goals.

A week ago today I turned 50. I’ve spent the last year getting to a goal of being in the best mental and physical shape of my life by age 50. It’s been bumpy, however overall VERY successful! I’ve had 2 surgeries and a knee issue. Right now ongoing another obstacle, but I will prevail.

I’ve been real solid on working out as I love the feeling of being strong. ( lifting weights ) I’m training to run my first half marathon in the spring. Training slowly as I’m hoping the bursitis in my knee doesn’t act up.

I signed up for a 30 day challenge to rein it in. So, I will be a tad over 50 yet excited for the outcome in the next 30 days to seal the deal. This challenge does have daily workouts but it’s not focused on them. It’s more about walking outside, journaling and really looking at what I’m eating so I’m focusing on getting my protein and fiber intake each day. I’m enjoying it and learning new things!

Other than that my drinking is under control. I’m easily able to go places that even have alcohol and not be tempted to drink if I didn’t want to. I’m not alcohol free though. That may be in my future but not right now.

Well that’s about it for an update. I do really think the key to stop drinking or cutting back is to find something you love more. For me it’s working out. I also realized I made my brain desire a drink everyday after work. ( Then it just spiraled downhill after the first. ) I had to reprogram it to not crave that drink. Wasn’t easy but that mindset helped me a ton!

Take care my friends! 😊 Jackie

Guess who I met?

For all the people that have been lucky to read Dwight Hyde’s blogs and get to know him, I’m sure your a better person for doing so!

I remember so many years ago finding WP and sending out blogs in hope for support and like minded people as I was drinking daily and wanting to break that habit. I met several wonderful people, including Dwight. For me he has been instrumental in getting my alcohol under control but it hasn’t stopped there.

We now check in daily which started for working out and now is just what’s going on for today, could be anything! Today I’m going to check in saying I’m not doing squat this morning. 🤣

Anyway, don’t want to drone on BUT I was able to Meet Dwight this weekend! 😃😍😃 I was SO EXCITED and he’s just as wonderful and wholesome as we all know. So crazy how you reach out for help and meet who is now a staple in my life.

I couldn’t be happier and look forward to future get togethers! We SO missed you Anne but you were there in spirit!!

Thank you a Dwight, for being YOU!! ❤️

😊 Jackie

Getting my ass outside.

I’ve been pretty consistent in working out and being healthy however I need to get my ass outside more, so good for the soul.

Weather is turning here and it’s been rainy a lot and just not overly nice outside. A few weeks ago I was asked to walk on a Sunday morning and it felt so good. We have walked once since and are walking again tomorrow. I forgot how good I feel when I come back in from a walk. Got anything going on in your head, a walk always helps!

I used to get morning outside therapy when my horse was alive. Cleaned his run in and pasture daily. Loved being outside for the sunrise. Used to shovel paths for him in the winter, I always came in feeling so peaceful.

Definitely have to make it a point to get outside and WALK more! 😃✔️

Have a great day! Jackie

For the few…

Happy Sunday to the few that read my blogs. 😂 I don’t have a big following but still like to blog here and there.

I’ve made strides in my wanting to be in the best physical and mental health of my life when I turn 50, I’ve got approx 2 months left.

I’ve been steady with working out and I’m certain that will continue.

I have come out of my comfort zone in a couple areas. I hate highway driving, gives me anxiety. I have voluntarily drove 5 hours which is mostly all highway driving to my daughters college. It still gives me anxiety and I have a death grip on the wheel, BUT I am doing it!

✔️

I have always had sleeping issues. Just don’t sleep well. Been taking Benadryl at bedtime for years. I have stopped that habit. Sleep is iffy but I’m adjusting. I’m about 3 weeks in on that.

I have done more things by myself that I wouldn’t normally do for my mental health. I get coffee and sit by our nearest lake now. This week at 8am one day I walked over 3 miles around this beautiful man made pond that’s near me and open to the public. It felt so good to start the day off with that walk by myself.

My relationship with alcohol is about the same. I like to with my hubby on a Saturday night but it’s nothing in access like I used to. I think it’s easier to stay away from the alcohol when you have a husband that is 100% supportive and doesn’t care to drink himself.

I got a new tattoo this week. Right on my forearm. Reminds me to stay on track and buckle down for the next couple months.

Finally, this week I started training for a half marathon, never have ran one and want to. I do have bursitis in my knee. There’s still a bump but haven’t had pain in a few months. Hopefully the pain will stay away by training for it VERY slowly. There’s a chance the pain will come back and if so I will back off but I am a determined one so sure hoping the cards play out my way to meet this new goal.

So that’s about it for me! Hope you all are doing good!

Take care, Jackie

Quick blog, great podcast!

Hello! Just thought I’d blog quickly on a new favorite podcast I listened to recently. I’ve been listening to this podcast for a long time but this episode resonated with me.

It’s about brain health and a lot about menopause.

So yeah it’s mostly for the ladies.

If swearing hurts your ears, it’s not for you. There’s swearing but not in any aggressive way, just normal talk swearing.

Maybe it will encourage someone! It’s on most all forums, I just have Spotify.

Take care friends!

https://spotify.link/nuvCKeBFADb

Summer serenity

My friend Dwight got my brain going with his last post about summertime and being grateful. This summer I stepped out of my comfort zone and went by myself to a nearby lake for very early morning coffee. I’ve always had my girls to go with, now they are back in college.

I’ve realized after I got past the nervousness of doing this by myself, I absolutely love it and am going to make it something I do regularly, by regularly for me I’m thinking about every 2-3weeks.

I love sitting by the lake and gathering my thoughts. I love that I can do hard things. ( That was hard for me. )

Fight. Grind. Repeat.

I’m so thankful I’m now able to keep on fighting and grinding to find new things about myself and to keep doing new things. I’m also grateful for what used to be WordPress ( Jetpack is still weird to me ) for making such close friends, two of which we talk almost daily.

Eternally grateful.

❤️ Jackie