Trying to find the words to express how I have felt throughout this Pandemic has been really challenging. I find myself more impatient than ever and patience is something that I work on everyday in my normal environment(s). Another struggle…what is new for me? Do I have any new and exciting hobbies as a result of this pandemic? I am jealous of the many people doing various things they may have not done before, or in a long time and maybe just doing more of. Others are learning a new appreciation for what they have or had. Many are just now recognizing the good and bad in their life and ready to clean out. What is new for me during this pandemic?

People are doing some awesome things during this pandemic. Me on the other hand, feel more lazy than normal. Shouldn’t I be doing more? Isn’t this a time when I can press the reset button and refresh my life with something new? All of these questions. But at the end of the day, I want to sleep away the days and nights. Could that be a sign of depression? Probably but that is not what this post is about.

General New Things

We are learning so many things about friends through social media during this pandemic. Here is a list of only some:

• Learning New Things
• Heavy Spring & Clutter Cleaning
• Reading Books
• Watching Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon, etc.
• Writing/Journaling
• Cutting and/or dyeing hair – their own, someone else’s, pets
• Virtual Meetings/Happy Hours
• Exercising
• Spending a lot more time with immediate family
• TikTok videos
• Home projects
• Pet adoption
• New appreciation for things/people/etc.

Many people are doing things they have never done before, I want to follow suit but my excitement is not there. Others are learning new languages, attempting DIY projects, finally tackling something you have always wanted to do but never had the time. So, I really needed to think long and hard to come up with anything new that I am doing but I may have a few things. Now, whether or not they are exciting? You be the judge.

Eating Right

One thing that I started before the pandemic and to be honest, I’ve done every January for the past 5 years is the 10-day cleanse portion of the AdvoCare 24-day JumpStart (formally 24-day Challenge). My husband did the complete 24-day challenge. We did really well! I lost 4.4 lbs and 9.25 inches overall during those 10 days. My husband lost 18 lbs during his 24 days. However, what happened next was unexpected yet rewarding.

Since my 10-day cleanse and all throughout this pandemic, I have continued to log all of my Food and pay special attention to my calorie, water, carbs, protein, and fat intake. I started out using the FitBit app and now have switched to My Fitness Pal. While it can be a pain, it is also rewarding. Since I ended the 10 day challenge at the end of January, I have lost an additional 7.4 lbs and surpassed my goal weight for the 1st time in 7 years! I also started ‘my version’ of intermittent fasting – not eating until lunch time, which I believe has helped me greatly. Sure, weight has been up and down by a couple of pounds every so often but that is totally normal because of water weight! FYI: Intermittent fasting is not part of the AdvoCare cleanse or JumpStart program.

Exercising More

I am a runner. There, I said it. While most, if not all by the time you read this, have been cancelled through July/August (and probably beyond based on the hype), I have not cancelled running. Actually, I run/walk almost every single day. Whether it is on my treadmill, throughout my neighborhood, or venturing out to less crowded areas. If I need a break, I usually walk or bike instead.

Belonging to several running clubs is a great motivation. While we have been unable to actually have our weekly group runs, we still connect through Facebook, Strava, and club websites. This has helped me to get out there! One of the running clubs had a 3-month winter challenge in December. You set monthly goals and if you crush them, get a fun ornament commemorating your accomplishments. I crushed it during the winter months logging nearly 100+ miles every month. I continue to log all miles and it has really helped me stay on track (and probably with my weight loss as well)!

Watching Kids – New

Beware, I have been watching my nephews for the past 7 weeks. Why is this new? Because, we are childless. Patience is not my forte. However, during this pandemic I offered to help my sister with this task because my parents are staying at home to help stop the spread and stay healthy. It has been interesting to say the least. I love them so much but it has been difficult for me. Mostly because they like to harass each other as boys will be boys but then they start arguing-dislike. Phrases like ‘he hit me’ and ‘stop it’ are constant and it is quite annoying to me. I try and break down their actions so they can learn how not to act. My sister would say I am over reacting. I agree but hey, I’m watching them so please behave for me! HA!

School work is interesting. The older one just gets it done with subtle reminders. The younger one usually gets it done as well but gets distracted often. Between the schoolwork, “can I go on my iPod?,” “can I go downstairs and play the PS4?”, and other things that happen daily, please get outside is often a conversation. If the weather could only cooperate for two days in a row!

To make sure I get something out of watching these yahoos (I do love them but I need to work too), each week we record a voicecast about social distancing. Perhaps it is a pre-cursor to the podcast vibes I have been forever thinking about. Hmmm…only time with tell. Please listen – it is always interesting to hear about this pandemic from a kids point of view!

New Appreciations

I have developed a new appreciation for parenting. In my mid-twenties, I decided I didn’t want children for many reasons I won’t get into here. Through this pandemic, that decision has never been more validated. You have to be a special person to rear, teach, feed and deal with children. My hats off to all parents, grandparents, teachers, day care workers, and babysitters-you rock!

I appreciate my running community. Even during these trying times, we still get together through zoom, have social distancing walks/runs with a very small, limited groups, and give kudos and positive reinforcements through apps such as Strava. In fact, my mile times are getting a little faster while running alone so I cannot imagine what my actual race pace will be once we are able to have large gatherings again – can’t wait!

Food has been an interesting part of this quarantined life. I have cooked a little more, baked some fun treats, and learned new food options with the food items we have on hand. We have also brought back some crock-pot meals that we haven’t had in many years! When it comes to curbside delivery and/or ordering food from restaurants we usually dine in, we haven’t veered to far from what we used to do. Ordering food from a restaurant is not something we have really done. We fall back on pizza, wings, and subs. I am okay with that! I love pizza and because I am tracking it all now, I am not as worried about weight gain as much as I use to be.

Finally

The things that I have done are not rocket science by any means. I still haven’t done anything really ‘new’ except watching my nephews 1-3 times each week (I normally only have them over less than a handful of times a year). However, I suppose refining habits or things that I already have done is better than nothing!

One of the things that I have been thinking about throughout this pandemic, is learning sign language. I have always been amazed at those who learn and use sign language. So, that is something that I have been looking into online. If I can roll it into some lessons with my nephews when I am there, it would be even better! Wish me luck!

all the best, *judean*

PS: Let me know what new things you have learned or done during this pandemic. It may light a spark for me to try something new!

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Check out some of my other Pandemic-related posts!

• What’s New For You During This Pandemic?
• Pandemic Wisdom from Prison
• Can You Go On A Virtual Cruise? Yes, It Happened
• ICYMI: Weekly Quotes (13-18) Tuesday Tells & Tattles
• Laid Off During The Pandemic? Your Opportunity Awaits.

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