Like most, I am stuck at home. Although I have my laptop and work phone here with me and am actively working, it is just not the same. We have formed a team to make phone calls to reach out to our elderly citizens to check on them and see if there is anything they may need. What I have found is that most are self sufficient and are having no problems. On occasions I discover someone who does need something and one of our local charities is quickly contacted and put into action.
I have also delivered needed food packages and posted COVID 19 posters on local businesses to inform the public about social distancing while they are out and about.
I myself am practicing social distancing and now only leave my house only if it absolutely necessary. Even though I am continuing to work out in the field a few days per week I am finding it difficult to maintain a stay at home routine.
On average, based on my apple watches calculations, I burn an average of 3,200 calories per day. Since staying home that number has dropped drastically. I am lucky to have purchased a treadmill last year and try to use it at least once per day. Being that the gym is closed there is no weight lifting at lunchtime, nor random walking during the day. The yoga studio is shut down and even though they are offering online classes I find it difficult to practice during the “at home” work day.
I have noticed that I am gaining weight and my daily blood sugar numbers have been going up. I would love to have the opportunity to get out and do some hiking or long distance walking, but it is continuously raining and still doesn’t show a chance of stopping for at least another few months. And this brings about another problem as the lack of sunshine has added to a less than desirable mood. I am not, nor have ever been a stay at home type of person. My body was born to burn energy and in desperation I may find myself out in the rain to take on a few miles per day.
This typically that time of year where I find myself heading out to a warmer region for a week just to capture some sunshine and involve myself with some physical activity, socializing and having fun. It is obvious that this years vacation has turned into a corona-cation.
On the other side of my thoughts, I am grateful that my family is healthy and doing well, but I do worry as we have two more grandchildren due in the next few months. I have set a date in my head of May 2nd as a point where I believe we may once again be safe to start returning to normal. This brings me close to “planting season”, when I will need to get my gardens set up for this years harvest. I have many chores to do and find that I have plenty of time on my hands but then again, it never stops raining here in the Pacific Northwest.
My thoughts around this vicious attack of a virus that has caused a pandemic are built around balance. All things in nature when out of balance find a way to return to balanced. It’s almost like the earth sending us a warning that we need to be more careful about the destruction we are causing. A warning that we all need to slow down and work to keep a natural balance in our own lives. A warning to let us know that when we believe that we are in charge, it is simply not true.
I will heed this warning and remember it always and live in rhythm with the natural balance of nature and learn that this balance is not only for the earth itself, but a balance that we all need in our lives.
Simple Living Over 50 
I’m happy to hear that you are well. I agree with your thoughts on the balance of nature. The world wasn’t listening to our sick planet, now it’s people are sick. While we are fighting for our lives, nature is getting a reprieve from our destructive behavior. Stay safe, stay healthy!
You stay healthy also. One of the things that I am learning from this pandemic is that one of the simplest joys in my life is writing. I have seemed to replace that with doing much reading and caring after my health, which are both important, but once again – balance. 🙂
I kept putting off buying a treadmill when ours stopped working; I was going to the gym every day and taught classes, so I didn’t see it as a necessity. Now I wish I would have purchased one. We’ve had so much rain and I finally broke down and just began doing my walks and running in the rain. It’s actually enjoyable at times.
I may have to get out in the rain myself. I have way too much energy to burn off and the treadmill just doesn’t do it for me. I miss the gym. I am am learning to workout without weights and maybe this will become a new skill that I acquire.
There are a lot of YouTube exercise videos out there – probably even more now. Low impact, high impact, low intensity, high intensity, just depends on what you’re looking for. I really like Leslie Sansone Walk at Home because it’s low impact and you don’t need any equipment, my fave is the 5k With a Twist.
Thanks Nicole 🙂
You could check amazon to see if there are any treadmills worth having left in stock. Glad you are still able to work. Maybe for the birth of grandkids a midwife might be a great option-healthfood stores, co-ops and natural medicine Dr’s could probably refer you to the good ones. Best to you!
Intermittent fasting during the Cov19 lock down has kept me from gaining weight. It’s been dreary here, but we’ve had some incredible sunny days too. I trust you are correct that by May things will be back to normal; in some states at least, which will give others hope. Stay safe and healthy.
As always, Stay strong, and stay the course Maryanne. This shit ain’t easy.
Hi Bill!
Your post is excellent — you described our “life w/Corona” perfectly. I’m in NY (ugh) and desperately seeking balance. My daily walking has taken a back seat in my routine. Routine? 😂 I shouldn’t be allowed to use that word. As the days go by, I have no routine. I haven’t written a word in my blog and, this is the first time I’ve read anyone else’s! Thank you for being present on WordPress. Reading your “words of wisdom” has been helpful to me today. My blood sugar has been a rollercoaster ride, due to my poor eating habits. We haven’t had the rain here, to the extent the you have, and I can see that summer is rapidly approaching. Not sure what that even means! Sheltering in place has become torture. Where is everybody??? Thanks to you, Bill, I’m going to hop back on the “blogging horse” today. It feels like I’m forcing myself to do ANYTHING. Do you feel that way???
—KATHY
From: diaryofadedicateddiabetic.wordpress.com
Hi Kathy, yea as you can see I haven’t be writing for a while now. I suppose that I can sum up the past 90 days as a feeling of desperation. My weight is up 12 lbs, my sugar is on the rise and due to dealing with radiation treatments for prostate cancer even taking a simple walk each day is taxing. And of course it is still raining here. I think the last dry day we had was September 2nd 2019. Anyway, it’s nice hearing from you. 🙂
Hi Bill: Re: Radiation. I’ll storm the heavens — I have “connections!”
Re: Writing. Ugh. Nothing. It seems this lack of motivation can be blamed on COVID—I’ll take it. Sick of blaming myself for everything 😂 I’m going to make tomorrow my Day One (again). Here’s hoping.
Sending only good vibes to you.
—Kathy From:
Diaryofadedicateddiabetic.wordpress.com
Good vibes