Pentagenarians & Beyond: December 21, 2025

[WD]

Yesterday I did Senior Shape Cardio Tabata Kickbox Low Impact 33 minutes, 231 calories, heartrate 137/167, 1,851 steps and Gentle Pilates Stretch 20 minutes, 44 calories. 53 minutes, 275 calories.
Today I did Senior Shape Weight Training to Build Muscle (listed under her osteoporosis exercises) 35 minutes, 126 calories, heart rate 95/125. I followed with Osteo friendly Abs, 10 minutes, 27 calories and Upper Body Stretch and Mobility (osteoporosis friendly) 19 minutes, 51 calories. 64 minutes total time and 204 calories. She does some different moves in some of her workouts that I have not done before. I like the workouts. Yesterday I woke up itchy on my back and had a rash. It feels better today. It could be a side effect of the Sulfasalizine drug. I was sick to the stomach from it and skipped the hydroxychloroquine last night. It may be it is not going to work for me. It is a week today since I started. Plus appetite is going down and keep falling asleep and I had 8 hours of sleep last night. I think I am just tired of all of it.

Valerie, I am glad the storm fizzled. When weather forecast is bad, I always manage to get a lot done just in case there is no power ahead of time. I have not tried a neck collar. I have learned not to look down. I keep reading material, laptop and even set my phone on my stand at eye level. My neck and shoulders get in pain even if I am standing and holding a cell phone or sitting holding it. It is rough in waiting rooms when I sit and try to look at my phone. I heard that about the north rim lodge and buildings. We took our children there and stayed in that lodge years ago. Nice work on the therapy work.

Judy, nice work on yesterday's 60 minute Peloton ride and PT exercises and today's PT exercises. Hopefully you don't get the ice storms.

Cathy, good job on Live Step Express with Blasts and STS 2 Parts Back and Biceps no repeats.

 

[Peaceful Rainbow]

After my last two days of workouts, my outer pecs and triceps are really sore, so today I did STS2 Total Body Stretch and LMR Restorative Yoga. We're going to my parents this afternoon.

We didn't get any ice here, but I talked to someone about an hour NE of us and they did. Judy I hope you didn't get hit to hard. Bismarck got hit with ice the night before last. There's a guy there that does a hilarious, but quite accurate weather forecast, and he was out sledding down sidewalks and someone posted video of a kid ice skating on the street. Derek said when he went to work yesterday that the roads he used were okay, but they closed the zoo because the paths were icy.

Diane Sue, I hope you are able to get your meds straightened out so they work for you.

Valerie the trip to Utah sounds fun. I've never been but the scenery looks amazing.

 

[Traildoggie]

Cathy we have been to Utah many times. its not a ridiculous drive for us, 2 days each way, and it used to be a sunny dry and lonely place. social media fixed that!!! parks did plenty of advertising too. still the scenery is amazing. these days it is WAY busier. we used to stay in the parks but they are always full now. all the publicity made parks too crowded. its way too hot in summer. spring and fall are best. we are taking a guided tour for at least one location. Many roads are not suitable for campers. last trip we took our camper off and drove the truck by itself but then you need a safe place to park the camper. if it rains the roads become impassable. the hard part of the drive is thru the SLC area, about 125 miles of nonstop strip malls and houses with huge traffic. past that, the scenery is absolutely stunning and much of it is viewable by driving although we always hike a lot. red rock scenery, geology, dinosaur remains, indian artifacts and art. even the museums around there are great. its not heavy on wildlife.

i did a second set of therapy work yesterday.
today we did a 2.5 hour more difficult hike in another park, and i didn't wear a back brace. the first time in years. it was fine. In the last week my back has improved dramatically. I'm almost afraid to talk about it because I'm afraid it won't last! therapy is working absolute magic...i think. or else its the medication. maybe both.

diane sue, that's Plaquenil you're taking, right? ive been taking it for maybe 8 months now. im so much better. i cant be sure what exactly is helping my back, if its the plaquenil or the therapy or a combo. i have had no side effects from Plaquenil. it doesn't work fast. ive been told it takes many months to have noticeable effect. its not a med that will fix things in a few weeks.
my arthritis didnt go away but my hands look better and now suddenly my back. I dont use the neck collar much, but i do take it on long drives. i forget and start tipping my head forward too much of the time and the collar doesn't let me forget.
Carolyn hope things worked out OK for your husband and that you were able to have a good holiday with your kids.

judy hope you didnt get an ice storm. we have sunshine and blue skies today, but about 35 degrees.