My blogger friend Sue, recently featured the Action For Happiness Theme Calendar, on her blog, Women Living Well After 50. The theme for the calendar was Active April. As I had been intending to focus on increasing my exercise in April, I decided to join in the fun.
Keeping the challenge in mind has given me focus, and meant that I have planned my days more than I’ve done in recent times. Up until about two years ago, I would plan, plan, plan. At the start of each month, I would make plans for exercise and also for life in general.
Over the past two weeks, I’ve enjoyed making plans and setting goals again, and I really do feel that planning and focus is helping me to see that my goals are a possibility. However, the calendar isn’t only about fitness and nutrition. It also includes prompts that have the potential to improve mental health and life in general.
April, for me, has certainly been a month of health and happiness.
Daily Achievements for April
I’ve written my daily achievements according to the prompts, each day in diary form.
01 April: Commit to being more active this month starting today.
After deciding to be more active in April, my plan was to walk twice each week day. My walks aren’t as long as I’d like them to be due to be my injury, but two walks each day will mean that I will be able to walk for at least 90 mins. I’m also hoping it will help me sleep. Also, had first strength training session at gym since having four days off over Easter.
02 April: Spend as much time as possible outdoors today
I walked twice today, for 45 minutes in the morning and 55 minutes in the late afternoon. I spent the rest of the day in the garden. Gardening was a pleasure today, after the heavy rainfall we had yesterday. Today was also the coolest day that we have had this year, so autumn is on it’s way.
03 April: Listen to your body and be grateful for what it can do
I am very grateful for the strength of my body. After having three broken arms, a broken back, and a seriously injured knee, I understand how fortunate I am that I’m still able to exercise and go about my daily life.
04 April: Eat healthy and natural food today and drink lots of water.
I have been trying to eat healthy and nutritious food, to get my nutrition back on track after an Easter of too much chocolate. Today was a good day. I have no problem drinking about three litres of water each day.
05 April: Turn a regular activity into a playful game today.
When making the bed, each morning, I usually play a game with Oscar, that entails throwing his toys to him. Oscar chases the toys up and down the passage, and loves this game. Today we played the game for twice as long as usual. There are always lots of laughs from both of us during this game. Oscar appears quite often here, and today, I can’t resist introducing him, once more.
06 April: Do a body scan meditation and really notice how your body feels
I have tried mindfulness and meditation, many times over the years, but have always struggled with it. The only time, I have been able to do meditation effectively was in my 30s and 40s when I swam laps for over an hour every day. I wasn’t successful with this prompt today, but I did give it a try.
07 April: Get natural light early in the day. Dim the lights in the evening.
This is an easy one for me, as I walk Oscar early most mornings, and always dim the lights early, as I’m aware that it helps with sleep. I need all the help I can get, as I don’t sleep at all well.
08 April: Give your body a boost by laughing or making someone laugh.
Lots of laughs with friends over lunch
09 April: Turn your housework and chores into a fun form of exercise.
Just for fun, I put the gym step in the kitchen and did three sets of step ups in between chores while cleaning the kitchen.
10 April: Have a day with less screen time and more movement
My aim most days is to have no screen time in the afternoons, and very little at night. This is again, to help me sleep.
11 April: Set yourself an exercise goal or sign up to an exercise challenge
I’m pleased with how this Active April challenge is going. One of my goals for April is consistency with weight training and to continue increasing the weight of each exercise. I have been walking for about 45 minutes, as advised by the physio, so today I have set a goal to increase my walks to one hour.
12 April: Move as much as possible, even if you’re stuck inside
We haven’t had many wet days lately, but the days are closing in, as we get deeper into winter. My plan for the wet days is to do a walking workout. My favourite is Get Fit With Rick. You can find his free workouts on YouTube.
13 April: Make sleep a priority and go to bed in good time.
Sleep alludes me most nights until the early hours of the morning. However, I still like to be up early regardless of the amount of sleep I’ve had, so I always have fairly early nights. I’m sometimes able to get a little sleep before midnight. After midnight, sleep is a bit of a battle.
14 April: Relax your mind with yoga, tai chi or meditation
In the same way that I struggle with meditation, I struggle with tai chi or yoga. I do plan to give yoga another try sometime soon.
15 April: Get active by singing today (even if you think you can’t sing)
I don’t sing, but often find myself quietly humming when out in the garden.
16 April: Go exploring around your local area and notice new things
Today I decided to follow an art trail while walking around Bendigo. It took me to a few places that I haven’t previously been.
17 April: Be active outside, plant some seeds and encourage growth
I’ve been doing this every day, as I am creating a new cottage garden
18 April: Try out a new exercise, activity or dance class.
Started cycling again, as my knee is now feeling much better.
19 April: Spend less time sitting today. Get up and move often.
Walked twice - 45 minutes each time, and been in the garden for most of the day.
20 April: Focus on ‘eating a rainbow’ of multi coloured vegetable today.
One of my favourite dishes is a frittata, filled with heaps of multi coloured mixed vegetables.
21 April: Regularly pause to stretch and breathe during the day
I have increased my stretching times after strength training.
22 April: Enjoy moving to your favourite music. Really go for it.
Did a Get Fit With Rick walking walk out to 80s music
23 April: Go out and do an errand for a loved one or a neighbour.
Picked up a few things for my partner, to save him time on his weekend.
24 April: Get active in nature. Feed the birds or go wildlife spotting.
Included a walk around the lake where there is a huge amount of birdlife to watch
25 April: have a no screens night and take time to recharge yourself.
We spent Anzac Day in quiet reflection
26 April: Take an extra break in your day and walk outside for 15 minutes.
Walked for 50 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes in the late afternoon.
27 April: Find a fun exercise to do while waiting for the kettle to boil
Not sure if I would call it fun, but I usually do a few knee bends while waiting, to keep my knee mobile.
28 April: Meet a friend outside for a walk and a chat
At the moment, I’m not walking with others, as due to the knee problem, I’m slower than I’d like to be,
29 April: Become an activist for a cause you really believe in
I’ve given much thought to this, but haven’t done anything as yet. In my mind, I am an activist for domestic violence, but I have to say that I have done nothing to help the cause, except for bringing up two kind and caring boys.
30 April: make time to run, swim, dance, cycle or stretch today.
Walked twice, did physio and stretched. I’ve always loved stretching exercises, but I’m extra aware no how important it is to stretch as we age, to help avoid stiffness.
This post is linked to the Wednesday Words & Whimsy linkup hosted by Min from Write of the Middle
Well done Jen, this is a great way of resuming activity after your recent knee issues. You are doing so well! The answer I like best is bringing up two kind and caring boys - that's enough!!
Wow, you are doing well and it would seem that despite what your body may be challenging you right now, you have such a determined mindset.
As for the sleeping, I understand the active mind once our heads hit the pillow. I put on a sleep stories but I also sleep in another room to my husband so I am not disturbing him. I "highly recommend" this!
Great you could keep to what you wanted to do and be for April.
Take care,
Denyse