Fitbit says to take a day off

[bill_schubert]

My fitbit is still adjusting, collecting data, and will not be fully useful for another month or so. One reason I've resisted having a fitbit kind of watch (other than that I don't like wearing a watch) is that I don't much like an app telling me that I'm not exercising enough or have been sitting too long, etc. In fact I turned all that off. No notifications of failure. What I do have is a data collection unit that picks up a lot of information that I can use to measure any degradation, any decay. Knowing my norm is very useful.

What I discovered is that I probably need to rest some more. My current activity is four of seven days over 15K steps. On Monday and Friday with pickleball those steps are mostly fast twitch hopping and jumping and moving in all directions. More physically demanding than the straight line walking but the entertainment inherent in the sport keeps my mind from noticing that I'm exercising.

Fitbit says I need to take a day off and just stretch. I definitely need the stretching and can probably use a quiet day. It is windy and cold after last night's storms. Beautiful day and I've already taken Zoe out for our walk and bagel resupply.

So, yeah, stretch.

Here is a fairly new dog to the Ranch. His name is Cowboy and he was a herding dog. Sweet boy:






And here is my view while watching television a couple of nights ago:

Comments

[susandennis]

Can't you find something Toby wants to watch???? Dana's hair is so long and thick now. It's beautiful and I have hair envy. BTW, mine needs your clipper action again.

[bill_schubert]

Toby is above all the TV stuff. He has very high standards. And, yeah, Dana's hair is lovely.

We need to plan the next IRL haircut soon.

[susandennis]

yes please. anytime after july

[anais_pf]

Your photos made me smile!

[siglinde999]

Hi Cowboy! He looks like a sweet fellow. Zoe looks pretty content too.

[mrdreamjeans]

How are you doing with Pickleball? I played in Albuquerque a week ago yesterday ... about 8 games. The altitude got to me a bit, but I really enjoyed the exercise and competition. I am a rank beginner and some the rules haven't sunk in yet, but I didn't do too bad and the other players were patient and kind.

It's nice to see a photo of Dana.

[bill_schubert]

I'm playing on Monday and Friday now from 8-10AM when life doesn't get in the way. There's a beginner's group that plays round robin (play a match, then trade partners among the other dozen people) so no real teams are formed and the competition is negligible. So far I like it a lot and keep getting better. I have no idea where it is going. The sport continues to grow around here so it will become more organized and I'll end up getting officially rated at some point.
It is really good for me and doesn't hurt too many joints. My mobility is increasing, which is good.

I had it on my mind to ask you about Georgie doing? I just scanned back over your entries and don't see his name.

[mrdreamjeans]

Georgie died three days before Christmas in 2021. I drove to Colorado to the National Mill Dog Rescue in March 2021 and adopted Bella. She's a miniature poodle, weighs 8 lbs and has become a delight after five years in a puppy mill. Since I live in a 62+ elevator building, I walk her four times a day. She gives structure and purpose to my days. I do miss Georgie, though ...

I really enjoy pickle ball. I believe I have the ability to become a good player. I still struggle with the rules and scoring as I haven't played enough for my body to make the right moves without thinking first, so I'm slow to respond in some situations.

[bill_schubert]

I knew all that and was really asking about Bella. My fingers just typed the wrong name. And, of course, I remember Georgie too.

Zoe also gives me purpose and makes me get up and walk a mile and a half every morning. Good for her (just turned 13) and for me. So many days I don't want to do it but she is relentless. We greet the morning together. I'm likely to have her for only another couple of years. I think she's starting to show some diabetes indicators but she still runs down the path and chases the occasional squirrel so we're hanging in there and it is all the sweeter for knowing the time is limited.

I played pickleball this morning for a couple of hours with the beginners. Good workout as usual. I had a few good shots and a bunch of lousy ones ending up, I think, with about the same number of wins as losses not that it matters. I did over 13k steps before lunch and still had to walk Zoe!

[msconduct]

Came here to talk about Dana's hair and I see Susan beat me to it. What a gorgeous colour.

I think you might have made Cowboy just the teensiest bit happy there judging by his smile.