You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion
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Watcha' Doing - 2021
Rusalka wrote: "How incredibly strange! Have you told Goodreads about it?"I was planning to do it today. It is not really a problem to me, but it is a glitch they should know about.
Kristie wrote: "Peggy wrote: "That walking thing sounds really cool Kristie! I looked into something similar once, but it was very expensive to join. Which website or app are you using?"I've used several differe..."
I just signed up for a Conqueror Virtual Challenge. I'm doing the Cabot Trail in Canada, as we were actually planning to drive it last summer. Did the first 8.7km today.
I still think it's a bit expensive but wanted to give it a go. I also found a free website/app that offers something similar (Walking the World) but it's definitely less fancy.
I'm doing both now and will see which one I'll stick with.
Let know how it goes, Peggy. I may check out Walking the World too. Conqueror has been fun. I just bought a few 5K medals for this summer to do with G. I let him choose which ones he wants to do while he was visiting. I tried a new place because I'm still fighting that other company to get either a refund or my medal for one that was out of stock. This one is more expensive, but they support charities and I got an email right away that they were on their way, so it seems like it will be good.
Peggy wrote: "I also found a free website/app that offers something similar (Walking the World) but it's definitely less fancy. "I'm doing the walk along the Danube on this one. I'm just a few steps into it, since I haven't walk much the last days, but I hope to improve.
I might try another app if I show myself I will use it. This is just a try.
They have lots of options! I'm doing the Shetland islands. I've been considering buying inline skates (I have roller blades, but don't use them that often as I find them harder on uneven grounds, which is all I have) and I'm thinking even more about it now, to combine it with another of those challenges. But I'm going to think about it for a few more days before I impulse-buy them but hardly ever use them.
Shetland Islands sounds nice! I repurchased a few of the Conqueror trails, so I want to complete those before adding any others. I like the idea of inline skates, but I probably end up injuring myself at this point. lol Though it would be fun to separate out one hike for walks and another for skating. What is the difference between an inline skate and a rollerblade? I think those are the same thing here. We have roller skates, which have wheels set up in a square, but rollerblades & inline skates both have wheels in a line.
I haven't skated in years!I've been waking up at 5:30 for a week or so to do 30-40 minutes in the exercise bike before waking up my kids. I hope to start running again soon, but I want to take my GED math exam first. Trying not to get distracted because EVERYTHING is a good reason to get distracted when math in involved. :/
Oops, I meant roller skates then! Repurchased? Does that mean you're doing a challenge that you completed again?
The Cabot Trail is 299km, so not very long. I'm using it to get back into the habit of going out for a walk each day, even if it's only for 20-30 minutes. I'm only logging walks for that one, not all my steps.
I think it would be nice to do one of those very long ones and log all my steps and other activities (not much of that going on, lol!).
I don't care so much about the medals (I was actually looking on their website for a challenge that's all virtual), but I really like the virtual travelling and making progress on the map.
Is there a way to befriend people in the app, so you can see what others are up to?
Wow Sandra, respect!! Both for getting up at 5.30 to exercise and doing the GED math exam. During the first lockdown in March last year I did a 20-30 minute walk before work each day (and then another one after work). Did that until the summer holidays started, but never picked it up again after the holidays. Just did some random walks every now and then.
We started a walking competition at work too, that also helps. Did my first pre 9am walk since June this week!
And talking about virtual traveling, my new time-waster is GeoGuessr. Have any of you tried it? It is a website where you get "drop" somewhere in the world and have 3 minutes to figure out where you are. The daily challenge has 5 rounds. That is what you can do for free. If you want to play more you have to go pro, which is $2 a month, what I find a lot. But a round a day is good enough, and I do not risk to waste more time than the strictly necessary. ;)
Peggy wrote: "Wow Sandra, respect!! Both for getting up at 5.30 to exercise and doing the GED math exam. "Hating both, to be honest. :D
Great you are walking again! I think the nicer weather helps. It should be pleasant now.
Yes, that definitely helps!I did geoguessr a lot some years ago. It was unlimited for free back then (so perhaps to keep some control it's not so bad that it's limited to 5 a day now ;-)). I was surprised a few times how close I got. At other times my guess was at the opposite side of the world though..
I think we had a challenge some time ago using that website too, didn't we? You had to read something related to where you were dropped. Or was that something else?
The challenge sounds familiar, yes. My 15 years old son was the one who brought the news and that day we spent a lot of time playing. We each got an account so we did many rounds. Everyone was around the computer yelling directions. I'm sure the neighbors thought it was a soccer game, or something like that. I don't think anyone would have guessed it was GeoGuessr...
Hi all. I am back. had a lupus flare. I spent some time in hosp. They wanted me to stay but I opted for an early release. Our covid numbers are climbing. I didn't want to stay. I seem to be doing better. I hope you are all well here
Peggy wrote: "Oops, I meant roller skates then! Repurchased? Does that mean you're doing a challenge that you completed again?
The Cabot Trail is 299km, so not very long. I'm using it to get back into the hab..."
Oh, ok! That makes sense about the roller skates. I wasn't sure if they were just called something else there.
Nope... that's a typo. I typed "already purchased," but I'm having some issues with my laptop and some keys sticking/not working lately. I need to replace it, but for now I'm just rechecking everything I type. You'd be surprised how many spellchecks I need to correct every post. 😑 I just missed that one. :)
The Conqueror challenge will show you other people on the map, but I don't think there is really a way to connect on there. However, they also have a Facebook group, which is pretty cool. They really cheer each other on, post pics when they receive medals, tell their stories, and such. Seems like a good supportive group.
Way to go, Sandra! I've never been one to get up early to exercise, so I can also really respect that as well as studying for your math GED. That's fabulous that you are doing both even though you're not enjoying either one. I'm sure you'll be happy you did later.
Welcome back, Renee! I hope you are feeling better every day.
I should probably update too... a while back I mentioned that my doctor wanted me to start a new diet and I wasn't really keen on it. I did a little research and came up with something that I could work with that made me feel like I was doing the important parts of what the doctor wanted me to do while still keeping my overall nutrition in mind. It's a bit of a mishmash diet with a little bit of several different diets mixed in. I also started walking more. I went back to the doctor for my 3 month check and my blood work all came bak normal. :) So, it seems to be working. Plus, in about 4 months I have lost about 28 pounds (2 stone or 13 kilograms) and I'm feeling really good. So, I'm going to stick with my diet creation.
That's great news, Kristie! :)
Wow, Kristie! That is awesome!
Awesome Kristie! The thing with losing weight or living healthier is that you have to make it a lifestyle change, so key is to find something you can stick to. I'm glad you found that!Welcome back Renee!
I was very motivated yesterday evening to do another pre 9am walk today, but when my alarm went off this morning I felt super tired and had a headache. So I snoozed for 10 more minutes. I really have to be ready behind my laptop at 9, so unless I hurry breakfast I'm not going to make it in time. Ah well, I'll just aim for two walks today, no matter what time I do them.
Well I can tell you from my own experience and that of the other several people also going through relationship problems. Easiest way to lose between 20 and 30 lbs. I'm finding 20# is the most common weight loss on the relationship problems diet. So many people are having issues that when I see someone who you can tell in their face they've lost weight 90% chance they are having relationship issues. It's an epidemic right now.
I never paid attention before but I actually am a fairly healthy eater when I buy groceries there's no candy soda and at most I might get a box of cheezits or some tortilla chips and salsa but I'm not really much of a snacker it turns out.
Yes, Craig brings the dogs for their morning walk. I'm definitely an afternoon walker. Now that we have the puppy, there is no slacking on at least going for a walk almost every day, weather permitting. :) Sleep is important too, Peggy. I hope that the extra 10 minutes helped your headache.
That is awesome, Kristie! I went to the doctor last week and was greatly disheartened with the results, weight wise. I am now 10 days along and walking a little over a mile a day and on an eating plan that makes me accountable. I know I am an emotional eater and the last two years have not been kind. I am so happy that you have found something that is working for you!
Welcome back, Renee!Congrats on the weight loss and getting healthier, Kristie.
I found the virtual races are what did it for me in 2020. Finally able now to get out and walk now that my foot is healed. I've been doing the Seward, Alaska highway walk on Yes.Fit. Once I've finished with my Yes.Fit races (I still have the national park series to complete). I am planning on switching to the Conqueror Challenge, but will do it when they run their New Year special - I should be finished with my other races by then.
Oh, I didn't know Conqueror had a New Year's special. I may buy a couple more then. They just ran a buy 2 get 1 free for their mountains - Fuji, Kilimanjaro, and Everest, so I picked those up. I have plenty to keep me going for a while now. The only race I still plan to buy soon is a Turkey Trot for Thanksgiving.
Kristie wrote: "Oh, I didn't know Conqueror had a New Year's special. I may buy a couple more then. They just ran a buy 2 get 1 free for their mountains - Fuji, Kilimanjaro, and Everest, so I picked those up. I ha..."They ran it last year starting around Thanksgiving and I almost picked it up. There were different bundle options available 3, 5, or 10 but they were all discounted and you get the yearly challenge free. You could also buy each race on its own, but it was a better deal to bundle. I think I'm going to do the 5 race bundle for 2022.
Yes.Fit does a Turkey Trot every year and it benefits Feed America or a similar charity. They change the medal every year, but it is always really cute.
I think they have bundles now too. Any 5, 10 or 15 races gives you 10%, 15% or 20% off. It doesn't include the yearly challenges I think, and I don't know if the discount is different from at the end of the year.
I was considering doing the 2021 challenge, but I'm not sure what to set my goal for. I like that they added the yearly challenge for free. I may do the 5 race bundle as well depending on what the deal is. There are a few more that I'm really interested in. Thanks for the yes.fit info on the turkey trot. They have a few other races I'm considering as well, but they are longer distances. I really like the ones that benefit the charities.
Sharon wrote: "That is awesome, Kristie! I went to the doctor last week and was greatly disheartened with the results, weight wise. I am now 10 days along and walking a little over a mile a day and on an eating p..."Way to go, Sharon! The first days are the hardest.
Kristie wrote: "I was considering doing the 2021 challenge, but I'm not sure what to set my goal for. I like that they added the yearly challenge for free. I may do the 5 race bundle as well depending on what the ..."I do the Yes.Fit charity ones and the longer races. I also bought the membership, but when it was half price. They run the half price deal several times a year. I picked it up the end of September. With the membership new races are 30% off when they introduce them and then you can also add other races for 20% off. The savings really adds up. I'm not sure if I'm going to continue the membership into 2022. It depends on what new races they add :)
I bought an excercise bike the other day but it turns out buying it doesn't do anything apparently I have to ride it can you believe that lol.No my knees have been bothering me and I wanted to strengthen my quads while also keeping off the weight I had just lost. Just haven't been able to get into a schedule of using it yet
I always think the hardest part of exercising is putting on my shoes! Once I've done that, it's a done deal.
Travis wrote: "way late from Sarahs post in early March but Sarah I feel for what you were or still are going through. My wife and kids moved out a month and a half ago or so and we signed a legal separation so g..."Hi Travis, sorry to hear that. Yeah it's pretty tough isn't it?! Yep, life does indeed go on, but it's definitely a struggle. I hope you are doing ok.
Travis wrote: "Well I guess on the bright side Sarah probably has room for one more and we know we both like books lolJust kidding I actually kind of hate water lol"
Haha! I've had no home for the past 3 months so definitely have no room for anyone else! I've moved from one friend's place to another. I never realised how important it was to have a home. Until I didn't have one. But the end is in sight.
Peggy wrote: "I've been feeling a bit down the past couple of days. Not one specific thing, just one of the downs in the covid ups and downs of the last year It's also not helping that the lockdown seems neveren..."Sorry to hear you've been feeling a bit down Peggy. Yeah the last year has been difficult all round and is likely to take it's toll after a while. The weather has definitely taken a cold, wet and windy direction. I hope it changes back again soon. That sunny weather was doing everyone the world of good.
Just catching up with the threads, I had nearly 100 unread posts in this one alone. Sorry I've been AWOL again. This last few weeks has been really stressful with the boat purchase and other stuff. The crane that was being used to lift it out of the water to survey, broke which has delayed everything. I've arranged to get it done elsewhere next week now as they had no idea when it would be fixed. It does mean taking the boat on a 5 hour journey to the next closest dry dock but at least I'll know next week if it's structurally sound and I can complete on it. My friends have been amazing and I can stay at theirs a few extra days so that's good. I need a home now. So please can everyone keep their fingers crossed for me on 6th May and hope that the survey goes well for me.
Crossing fingers for you Sarah and hoping life becomes peaceful for you again.
I'll be thinking of you and your new boat! I really hope everything goes well and getting your boat is when thing start coming together again.
Well if we weren't on separate sides of the pond Sarah I happen to have plenty of extra space at my house. Now that I've become marked I actually had a guy stop by because his wife just asked for a divorce and he's struggling. I told him not to expect answers because there's no easy fix to these things but I'm willing to listen or whatever he needs. He actually then called for an hour or so the next day. And I definitely know how it is to just want to talk about it. It also takes a lot of time to come to terms with what's happening and moving past the idea that you're going to fix things in any form of quick. I hate it because it's so cliche but it takes time. Either to repair or to move on and start a new it all just takes time and I remember for weeks every day felt like a year. It's tough but I'm more than willing to listen and support because I totally get the need for that
Jayme wrote: "Kristie wrote: "I was considering doing the 2021 challenge, but I'm not sure what to set my goal for. I like that they added the yearly challenge for free. I may do the 5 race bundle as well depend..."That's a good deal. I bought a membership for Virtual Strides. It is $19, but you get $5 off each race you purchase. Plus, $5 from each race goes to benefit a charity. You can learn more about each charity on the medal pages.
Shirley wrote: "I always think the hardest part of exercising is putting on my shoes! Once I've done that, it's a done deal."So true!
Sarah wrote: "Happy belated birthday Kristie!"Thanks, Sarah!
Fingers crossed and saying prayers that everything goes well for you with the boat, Sarah!
Travis wrote: "Well if we weren't on separate sides of the pond Sarah I happen to have plenty of extra space at my house. Now that I've become marked I actually had a guy stop by because his wife just asked for a..."Thanks Travis. The pandemic has been tough on many people's relationships. One of my close friends also seperated from her husband around a similar time to Rob and I. It's definitely helpful to talk things through. And yeah, it annoys the hell out of me, but the cliches are true. Takes time! So you just gotta hang in there.
I have my fingers crossed for you Sarah!I had my first time teaching at location since December 18 today. It was so nice!! I don't think I ever saw such happy students in my class :D
Peggy, that's great. A little step towards normal life.
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You'll love this one...!! A book club & more
Books mentioned in this topic
Dark Horse (other topics)A Clean Kill in Tokyo (other topics)
State of Terror (other topics)
The Way of Kings (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Jane Harper (other topics)Gabriel García Márquez (other topics)
Gabriel García Márquez (other topics)
That is such a strange issue with the notifications! I haven't been checking mine because the notifications have been messed up for a while for me. I can't even imagine how they managed to get them all crossed like that.