#2687 three things: self-challenge, the chatty hygienist, and my fav new TJ item

 Totally random things...let's go!

1. The Self Challenge. Yesterday was Ash Wednesday, the day that marks the beginning of Lent. In the past at work, a few of us have given something up in the spirit of Lent. I stopped participating because a) why was I doing it? I don't even believe in that stuff and b) giving up something I like usually makes me grouchy by Easter. This year, several of us are participating in a "Self Challenge" where we are challenging ourselves in different ways. One woman is not going to watch TV and instead do some other things to better herself and her home. Several women are challenging themselves to drink more water or to keep track of their food intake. 

I have two self challenges. One is to keep a food journal at least four days each week. I got a cute and functional food journal from Etsy:

When I was doing well with weight loss, I kept track of what I was eating. A WW saying is "If you bite it, write it." I know there are apps where you can keep track of what you eat, but I like the act of actually writing it down. Instead of calories, I mark my level of hunger when I eat as I try to get a little more familiar with when I'm just randomly eating because something is there or if I'm really feeling hungry. I've been keeping the food journal through most of February, and I like it. It's a little bit of accountability. I also like those boxes on the right for my Goals for the Day, Mood, Water Intake, Exercise, and Reflections. 

My second self challenge is to get back to group exercise classes at the gym at least two times each week. I've been working on getting a handle on the eating (because I've plumped up a bit in the past few months) and I realized that when I was successful with weight loss, it wasn't only keeping track of what I was eating, it was also about breaking a sweat regularly. Covid scared me away from the gym, and now I am ready to go back. I started tonight. I went to a spin class! The last time I'd done the class was before Christmas. My goal tonight was to do the best I could and not throw up. (Note: I've never actually thrown up after a spin class, but I've been close a couple of times.) Tonight I didn't work hard enough to puke, but I was definitely sweaty and I feel a little sore, especially on my bum. That seat is hard and tiny. It kinda digs in there. 

Wish me well on my Self Challenges!

2. The chatty hygienist. I went to the dentist on Monday for a cleaning and check up. For a long time, I had the same hygienist, but she moved away and now I get a different cleaner nearly every time I go. Monday was no exception. It has been my experience that most hygienists chat through the cleaning, although it is hard to participate in the conversation, as the patient. I wiggle my eyebrows and kind of grunt to demonstrate my active listening. On Monday, the hygienist (I'll call her Tammy) was telling me all about her partner who is the father of her tween-age child and also the father of grown children, to whom he rents the basement. Tammy also pays rent at their house to her partner. She is unsatisfied with the situation and had lots and lots of words. I really felt like maybe I was hearing things she would be sorry she told some random patient.  At the end of my cleaning - which was good and my check-up was clear, no cavities! - I wished Tammy good luck. I would be surprised if I saw her in six months at my next cleaning.

While I'm on the subject of dentists, I want to throw some love to my mamacita who is having a terrible time with dentists. I hope that your situation gets resolved in March, Mama. Thank you for inspiring me to brush and floss regularly so I don't have the same issues! I really feel sad because I know how much anxiety and anguish this is causing you. 

3. My favorite new Trader Joe's item. I have often lamented my dry, dry Utah skin. The skin on my face, in particular, has suffered because I feel like the many moisturizers I have tried don't give my skin the moisture it needs. 

I went down the rabbit hole of skin care recently, and found myself overwhelmed by the seven or eight products that are recommended for your skin care routine. There's cleanser, then toner, then serum, then eye cream, then something else and something else, then hydrating gel, then moisturizer. I like to keep my skin care routine simple: I wash my face every night, then put on moisturizer. I can't see myself getting all that other stuff. I really just want a moisturizer that makes the skin on my face feel not dry! 

About a month ago or so, I was looking at something from Trader Joe's and it described a product for only $8.99 that the writer claimed was amazing and wonderful, comparable to a fine department store brand at a fraction of the cost.

Believe the hype! I have been using this product for about a month, and my skin hasn't felt or looked this good for awhile. I have been prone to breakouts that turn into dry skin patches, but not since I've been using this moisturizer. I often double up and use this product first, then a regular cream moisturizer to seal in the gel. I've also just used this product alone. It works really well for me and I love it a lot. 

That's all I've got for today!  More words here on Saturday!