#FitReaders Check-In


  • This check-in is for May 18th – 24th.
  • In yesterday’s “Building the Book Fort” I wrote about how I had to go to Urgent Care. My shoulder pain is actually a problem with my neck. So far, it hasn’t gotten much better. I did manage to get a decent amount of sleep last night, but I feel like I paid for it with severe pain this morning that has only let up a little. Since Friday, I’ve tried a number of different things that have worked in varying degrees, but nothing is getting me to the point where I can go about my day normally. It’s sapping my energy, ruining my mood, and even making reading difficult.
  • Active Days: 0/5
  • Steps: 38,507
  • Miles: 15.62/16.31
  • Total Miles: 304.69/850
  • Zone Minutes: 23/150

#FitReaders Check-In


  • This check-in is for May 11th – 17th.
  • The boyfriend and I went to a couple farmers’ markets yesterday and had a good time hanging out in the sun and walking around for the day. We went to a small, local Greek restaurant for lunch, and we’ll probably be returning there in the future.
  • I also decided to do another screen-free 24 hours, but I wasn’t entirely successful. I used my phone far more than I normally would, but I stayed off my computer and away from the TV. I also finished two books, and I feel more relaxed, so I’m happy.
  • Active Days: 1/5
  • Steps: 48,806
  • Miles: 19.46/16.31
  • Total Miles: 289.07/850
  • Zone Minutes: 38/150

#FitReaders Check-In


  • This check-in is for May 4th – 10th.
  • The weather has gotten much nicer, and I had a couple of vacation days this week, so I’m feeling much better than I have in the past few weeks, both physically and mentally.
  • I’ve been mostly relaxing with my cats while my boyfriend has been out of town, but I’ve done a little bit of gardening (mostly weeding). I plan to do some more today once I’ve got some chores done.
  • Active Days: 1/5
  • Steps: 28,529
  • Miles: 11.54/16.31
  • Total Miles: 269.61/850
  • Zone Minutes: 52/150

#FitReaders Check-In


  • This check-in is for April 27th – May 3rd.
  • I’m still having some issues with my back, and it’s definitely the weather.
  • There has been more craziness at work this past week, and it feels like the insane changes are to try to push people to quit. I wish I could afford to do that like I had planned before current events gave me reason to stick around, and every day I have to remind myself why I am staying.
  • Thanks to all of the above, I was filling a little bit overwhelmed and like I had information overload, so I did another screen-free 24 hours. I’m definitely feeling much better, and if the rain doesn’t start up again this afternoon, I’m going to try to do some gardening today.
  • Active Days: 0/5
  • Steps: 35,228
  • Miles: 14.16/16.31
  • Total Miles: 258.07/850
  • Zone Minutes: 9/150

#FitReaders Check-In


  • This check-in is for April 20th – 26th.
  • On Sunday, my back began to bother me, so I took it easy. However, it turned out to be another flare up, and I was stuck home for most of the week unable to do much of anything.
  • I did work on my “book blanket.” The problem is that I also listened to several audiobooks while I crocheted, and along with the #Readathon on Saturday, I’m now even more behind, having finished 47 books so far this year.
  • Despite me taking it easy and doing my best to not aggravate my back, I’m still having some issues, and even though I didn’t stay up much later than I usually do on the weekends, I’m exhausted. I think a lot of that has to do with the up and down weather. It was 80 degrees on Friday, and dropped down into the 30s Saturday night. Hopefully the daily temperatures will get more consistent soon.
  • Active Days: 0/5
  • Steps: 24,691
  • Miles: 9.96/16.31
  • Total Miles: 243.91/850
  • Zone Minutes: 14/150

#FitReaders Check-In


  • This check-in is for April 13th – 19th.
  • My first screen-free 24 hours ended this morning at 10:30, and I can safely say that I didn’t go crazy. It was a lot more difficult than I thought it would be, though, and made me very aware of how often I pick up my phone or turn on a screen out of “boredom,” even when there are so many non-screen related activities that I can do.
  • While I did some reading, I also started a “book blanket.” For every book I read this year, there will double-crocheted rows for every 100 pages and single-crocheted rows for 50 pages in a color of yarn that I picked for each genre. I’ve only got rows for the first two books I read this year completed, but I’m hoping to work on it a little each day to get caught up.
  • Active Days: 0/5
  • Steps: 44,921
  • Miles: 18.20/16.31
  • Total Miles: 233.95/850
  • Zone Minutes: 24/150

#FitReaders Check-In


  • This check-in is for April 6th – 12th.
  • If you read yesterday’s post, you’ll know that this has been a difficult week for me. To help myself get through it, I practiced a lot of self-care. I spent a lot of time with my cats, took a nap, did a lot of reading, and made chicken bone broth.
  • Today, I might make scones, but I will definitely be tending to my seedlings and starting some more lettuce seeds as I want to try succession planting this year. I would also like to finish another library book so I can return it tomorrow. Since it’s supposed to be warmer and sunny today, I might go for a walk as well.
  • Active Days: 0/5
  • Steps: 39,342
  • Miles: 15.97/16.31
  • Total Miles: 215.75/850
  • Zone Minutes: 14/150

#FitReaders Check-In


  • This check-in is for March 30th – April 5th.
  • This past week has been so stressful and overwhelming it feels like I didn’t just have an entire week-long vacation. I haven’t been sleeping well, the weather has been nuts, work has been chaotic, the news has been bothering me (my state is trying to cut a significant amount of money for library funding from the budget, and don’t even get me started on what’s going on with the IMLS), and I’m not eating well thanks to being surrounded by junk food and candy where I work.
  • All of this has put a strain on my willpower/discipline to make healthy choices, and that isn’t helping my stress levels at all. The combination of a lack of sleep, too much caffeine, too much sugar, and a never-ending to-do list only exacerbates everything else going on.
  • Since I had to return Gentle by Courtney Carver to the library, I went to the bookstore and got a copy to slowly reread and put into action. I also bought a journal that focuses on doing the activities that will help me lower stress and take better care of myself. I feel like I have to relearn these things every few years when my life gets topsy-turvy.
  • Active Days: 1/5
  • Steps: 47,040
  • Miles: 19.07/16.31
  • Total Miles: 199.78/850
  • Zone Minutes: 41/150

#FitReaders Check-In

#FitReaders Check-In


  • This check-in is for March 16th – 22nd.
  • I’ll be starting seeds for tomatoes and possibly eggplant either today or tomorrow.
  • I’m on vacation all week, so I’ve been doing my best to live slow. I also decided that I can eat whatever I want this week as long as I’ve made it myself. No restaurants, no takeout, no delivery orders, just good homemade cooking. The only exception to that was going to a Ukrainian bakery with a friend yesterday for brunch.
  • Active Days: 0/5
  • Steps: 53,086
  • Miles: 21.59/16.31
  • Total Miles: 170.49/850
  • Zone Minutes: 22/150