Looking through songs with Strong as a theme (or in the Title) was surprising. Many seem to be about breakups, including this month’s song, for which I’m going old school with Chicago’s “Stronger Every Day” — the refrain spoke to me. Of course I love the song, and maybe break up songs are kind of appropriate, as I’m learning to let my father go to a better place — I wrote that last before my Dad had even passed away. It’s a great anthem, anyway!
Feeling stronger every day
(You know I’m alright now)
Getting in scheduled runs
Last week was understandably low on mileage, but movement is ingrained with me. Although I only got in 2 runs, I continued my step goal streak. My Garmin has my daily step goal low, about 7500. I averaged about 9700 steps a day last week, and some of them included walks inside the senior living community because it was so cold (or raining) outside.
Grade Earned: A
Recording my runs
My new planner (Clever Fox, Amazon Affiliate link here) has definitely kept me more organized and more focused. It can still be a struggle to take the time to record my runs when I’m busy, but I’ve started out the year right. Well, until last week, when I completed stopped using the planner. I’m giving myself a pass on that for obvious reasons.
Grade Earned: A
Dynamic Warmup
There’s always some dynamic warmup. The duration varies, but something is always better than nothing!
Grade Earned: A
Foam Rolling
I actually brought my foam roller to my mom’s — and used it! There’s not a lot of space there, but my body thanks me when I use it.
Grade Earned: A
Nutrition
Nutrition got better, but last week was a bit of a struggle. There were quite a few days with few healthy choices. As I said to Mr. Judy, I’m okay with the occasional not so healthy meal, but I don’t like a steady diet of it. I did bring food with me, which was very helpful, but there were days we were at my sister’s house, and I had to make the best choices I could.
Grade Earned: A-
Support
- Massage? No.
- Chiropractor Appointment? Still no.
- Do I need a hair appointment? No, but I do need to book the next one.
Grade Earned: B-
Cross Training
I was getting back to more strength training, until last week, when there was none. I could definitely have done bodyweight exercises, or used the gym at my mom’s, but I walked and I did yoga and I called it a day. Most days were just busy, or emotionally taxing.
Grade Earned: B
January 2020 gets . . .
. . . a B+. I’m definitely not beating myself up. I did what I could, I was there for my family, and I tried not to push myself too hard. I rested when I didn’t feel well, and so far, knock on wood, I’m still feeling okay. Apparently I haven’t made any monthly goals since November, so I’m overdue.
Which leads me to February Goals:
- Strength train 2 – 3x week. Definitely time to get back into strength training! Hopefully it can become more of a habit now that life is *hopefully* settling down.
- Continue running 3 x week and maintaining my base. If I’m motivated, maybe I’ll add in a fourth day. My guess is that won’t happen anytime soon. I need some recovery time!
- Start practicing at the Yoga Studio that’s close to me. I am hoping that now that life is a bit more normal, maybe I’ll either finally do some subbing or get at least one class of my own.
- Foam roll when I’m able. Would love to foam roll at least occasionally on days that I don’t run.
- Continue to try to eat intuitively — unless the weight starts to creep up. Although I’d love to drop just a little weight, I’m still maintaining fairly well.
- Meal plan on the weekends! I was just getting back into it (back into a lot of things) when life took a turn again. Pretty sure I’ll get back at it with the help of my new planner and more time at home.
Linking up with Zenaida Arroyo and Kim @ Kookyrunner
This week I am also joining up with Running on Happy, Suzlyfe, Crazy Running Girl, and Coach Debbie Runs each week for the Coaches’ Corner linkup
Chocolaterunsjudy 
Stronger every day – I really like your motto. I would have given you a straight “A” for January. With all the emotional family things going on it’s a miracle that you managed to fit anything fitness-related in your schedule.
About recording your runs: would it help to wear a running watch that automatically syncs with your phone? That would save you the manual recording when you get home from your run.
Have a great week, Judy!
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I do have a Garmin that auto syncs, but I actually find it easier to flip through a planner — and I record more stuff than the Garmin does (although I could add notes on the app).
I come from strong parents, and I’m lucky that while I was working through this time, not a regular job and not as much as a regular job. There was a reason I didn’t really pursue more teaching.
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Being kind to yourself is a good move, and I salute you for it. I hope you can get into a calmer and stronger time now all the frantic rushing around has finished and you know your dad is at peace and not suffering.
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Yes, I expect that most likely the rest of the year will be much calmer, but you never know. And I still need to visit my mom on a regular basis. Still, far less emotional and not as intense. Thanks, Liz!
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With all you had going on in January it’s pretty impressive that you were that active. A+ from me.
Hope you can return to a regular routine in February.
Good luck getting that yoga class.
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I’m sure in similar circumstances (obviously not parents) you’d be as active, probably more. I am breathing a sigh of relief now, for sure; we all are.
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You did really well considering all that you had going on in January! And now I have that song going through my head…
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You’re welcome for the ear worm. Not a bad song to have in your head. 🙂
Until the last week and the very beginning of January, I was at home. That’s how it’s been the last few months, very intense for a week or so, then some home time, rinse, lather, repeat.
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You’ve had so much going on this month and you still managed to hit so many of your goals. I hope that you will continue to be kind to yourself in the weeks and months ahead.
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Thanks, Kim. As I said to Wendy, I actually got to spend a couple of weeks at home this month between everything going on. It helped a lot.
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You did great! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
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Thanks, Natalie!
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Like you said, you did what you could and rested when it was needed. That’s ALL good. I had a few January goals, but I didn’t make them specific enough…and they were kind of a bust. Ha! I’m totally owning it, too :-)…and I have some better goals in mind for February.
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At least I have goals for February now. 🙂
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I’d say you get an A for January. You were really able to keep up with most of your goals despite so many family challenges. I really hope you treat yourself to that massage soon!
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I think I’m going to get that massage soon!
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Mmmm….. I think you should bump yourself up to an A-. With everything going on, you’ve still done such an incredible job.<3
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Thanks, Jen. Healthy living is important to me. I know if I treat my body like crap I’ll feel like crap — and it was tiring enough as it was!
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You definitely deserve an A. So much happened in January and you did what you could. I like your planner. I used to have a monthly one and by school year where I would write my appointments and stuff like that. My friends would tease me about it. Now I have everything in my phone.
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I spent some time getting my planner set up for February this morning. I really like writing things down — it helps you remember. Some of it’s on my phone, of course, too.
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