HALLIE EPHRON: Sometimes it feels as if the universe is conspiring to boss me around.
My smart watch keeps telling me to STAND while I’m happily taking a therapeutic nap. Or worse still, STAND when I’m already standing. Or MOVE. Apparently chair yoga or driving don’t count.
The other day it offered to call EMERGENCY when I’d washed my hands and was shaking them dry.
And my kids are after me to WEAR A MASK! Of course they’re right, because every time I take a bus or a plane or attend an indoor event, I’m felled by yet another bout of covid (or last time it was walking pneumonia). Despite having had every vaccine available to me.
My doctor advises me to: “Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!” To the tune of 8 glasses a day. It’s good for my heart rate and blood pressure. But !8!? Even when you space them out AND factor in the liquid that’s in the rest of what you’re eating and drinking, we’re talking extra trips to the loo in the wee hours. And isn’t it important for me to get a good night’s sleep, too?
And then there’s all the healthy diet advice. Five cups of vegetables and fruits. Three cups of dairy (milk, cheese…). Whole grains and beans. On it goes, amounting to at least twice to three times the amount I actually eat in a day and I’m not wasting away. And when all I want for breakfast is a half a bagel with cream cheese (can I count lox as a vegetable?).
Here's what the CDC has to say about dietary intake of fruits and vegetables, and what percentage of people living in various parts of the US are meeting that amount...
Are you feeling bullied, too? Or are you in the bully pulpit yourself, wishing the rest of the world would do as you advise?
I am definitely in the "feeling bullied" camp . . .
ReplyDelete[And does anyone actually eat that suggested amount of fruit and vegetables and drink that much water?]
I try to keep up with the water, but the rest of it seems like Fantasyland.
DeleteI so relate, and not just because of food and exercise advice. I go to read the news and there's a separate category, "For You," which I immediately switch over to just plain old News. I don't want someone picking what they think I should read. As far as food amounts go, I eat what I've always eaten, which is pretty healthy, actually, but never in the amounts suggested. If I did, I'd be a blimp by now. Excercise? I walk, which everyone agrees is the healthiest exercise, and then I have a series of exercises for my shoulder because of a ligament I tore three years ago. They are what my physical therapist gave me. That's it. The only thing I try to do is drink lots of water, but I will never be able to work up to 8 glasses. 5 or 6 is my limit. And you are so right - what about sleep? (It really is hard to get water requirements in before late afternoon.)
ReplyDeleteAnd here's the thing: The rules keep changing. At one point you can't drink coffee; then you can. Etc.) I drink one cup a day, and enjoy it thoroughly. Same with two cups of tea. Not gonna change. I've made it to 85 this way, and it does look as though I'll make it to 86. As they say: One day at a time . . .. :-)
I'm right in your court, Elizabeth. In fact I could have written what you just said, substituting hip for shoulder and hoping to make it to 85.
DeleteMy watch yes! If I’ve had a good week of exercise it wants me to increase my goals! How about a nice job?? It’s society’s need to always do more (or mine to want to close my rings 😁).
ReplyDeleteHa ha ha!! Exactly!! But isn't it a treat when the little fireworks in the watch goes off and it congratulates you for reaching some goal that's been invisible to you up to now?
DeleteI am doing a lot better on the moving without my Fitbit nudging me since moving from Minnesota to our 55+ active adult community in Ocala, Fl. My water and fruit and veg intake are dismal compared to the recommendations. I chastise myself for it.
ReplyDeleteI finally "get" Florida. And Minnesota is even more challenging than New England.
DeleteI'm feeling grateful I don't wear a bullying watch! I've barely been leaving the house because of the ice, and definitely not traveling, but I do think a mask in crowded areas is a good thing this winter.
ReplyDeleteAs Elizabeth says, the rules are cyclical. Eggs are in, eggs are out, eggs are in. Same with fat and coffee and now any amount of wine. I've said for a long time, everything in moderation. I have my two cups of coffee in the morning, walk my 11-12k steps, eat a salad and a couple of pieces of fruit every day, drink as much water as I can, and otherwise try to practice small portions.
Also, I'm so very stressed and fearful about what's going on in the government that I am NOT giving up wine and whiskey. Just not doing it.
Agreed! Medicinal beverages must stay!
DeleteAmen, Edith! Even here in Braga I find these decisions by DT stressful. Really so concerned for so many people.
DeleteI have given up alcohol. Completely. I miss it.
DeleteTalk about bullying, you should live in Canada...
DeleteNow that our Bully-in-Chief has once again taken over the Bully Pulpit and has raised bullying to an art form, I expect major trickle-down bullying for the next four years. At least you may not have the CDC around to bully us for much longer, or any other worthwhile government organization designed to help the common citizen. Dang!
ReplyDeleteJerry, we are currently being bulldozed by the Bully-in-Chief and his South African bulldog.
DeleteYup. I got bullied IRL at the gas pump by an old man whose parting shot to me, before flipping me the bird, was "dumb bimbo." Like Theoden at The Keep said in the rain while facing down the battalion of orcs, "So it begins."
DeleteRhonda - at the GAS pump? Sheesh.
DeleteRhonda, the folks at my local gas station/convenience store are all very pro-Trump. Wait until they see me in the new t-shirt I ordered...
DeleteJerry, I hope you'll tell us more about your new tee shirt!
DeleteNOT MY PRESIDENT - NOT MY VOICE - NOT MY VALUES - NOT MY BELIEFS
DeleteNo carbs! No sweets! No salt! Yes, I'm tired of the bullying. I still enjoy my morning coffee.
ReplyDeleteIsn't coffee back in the "OK in moderation" column? Just not a massive amount of caffeine.
Deletesome of us need morning coffee! so hard to give up carbs, sweets and salt!
DeleteLike Edith, I'm incredibly stressed and fearful about what's going on in our government. As sites have said that petitions, emails, and letters are ignored, I am making six calls a day, to my senators' and congresswman's New York and D.C. offices. The switchboards are so swamped I often get a busy signal but I persist. If I'm lucky, I get an answering machine, and then I leave a message (from a script I have typed in front of me). Our congresswoman is Elise Stefanik, so it feels hopeless, but I'm told the calls are tallied so, again, I persist.
ReplyDeleteI try to bike on my desk bike half an hour a day and row on my husband's ergometer every other day for twenty minutes. I eat a large salad with dinner most nights. If I had a watch that bullied me like one of Elon Musk's tech child soldiers, I'd take it off and put it in a drawer. (Selden)
p.s. I'm very sorry to talk politics. In the last two weeks I have found myself almost unable to think about anything else. (Selden)
DeleteEfforts to talk about "something else" are much appreciated.
DeleteI know the feeling, Selden. I am spending an enormous amount of time reading and watching the Meidas Touch Network because they provide so much hope!
DeleteAgain, Hallie, my apologies. I woke up at 2 AM today and was so anxious I could not go back to sleep, so I'm definitely subpar today. Judi, I too am spending enormous amounts of time reading. If I were also watching I think I might forget to breathe. (Selden)
DeleteSelden why not talk about politics? It needs to be discussed! I feel the same way you do. Action right now is important!
DeleteI did notice the removal of Edith’s early comments yesterday.
My first thought when I read your post Hallie was: why do you keep your watch ?
ReplyDeleteOne of my brothers bought one a while ago, I felt it intrusive when we were together and it told him to breathe, to stand, to move, etc… I knew it wouldn’t be long before he get rid of it. It effectively didn’t last long.
I cherish my liberty, I know what’s good for me and I do my best. As for nutrition, I like the philosophy of the nutritionist Bernard Lavallée. He says that you can eat anything you love as long as it is a variety of foods and as you respect your satiety’s signals.
Danielle
I like that advice. And it'll make you happy, too. And food and happiness are closely linked, in my book.
Deletesounds like good advice to me.
DeleteIf I had a watch bullying me, I'd throw it in the garbage. I've been advised to go ahead and take a mental health day or two, I'm so stressed out right now. So I don't need any pressure from a watch or advice on what to eat, etc. Does pacing count as exercise??
ReplyDeleteIT DOES!! Definitely.
DeleteYou can turn off the bullying, and just use the watch to record exercise.
DeleteThere are so many things. I remember learning that diet soda gives brain cancer and I mentioned this to a colleague. She said everything seems to give cancer and it does look that way. That was years before the pandemic.
ReplyDeleteAnd I am with your kids about wearing masks. And I wonder why No carbs? I measure my metabolism every morning and I see how many carbs I can have. Some days are low carb day and other days are medium or high carb day. My weight started to creep up and I am trying to keep my weight down since I am at risk for diabetes.
HALLIE: you have convinced me that I never need a smart watch!
ReplyDeleteI am healthy, physically active and take no medications, so I will continue to eat & drink as I please.
BUT BUT BUT... it rings when I can't find my cell phone! And pings when I get a text message! And takes an ECG and measures my pulse and tells me what day of the week is and the time and and and... And it has an emergency feature so that if I'm in dire straits I can call for help. And I do often need to be reminded to STAND.
Deletetest
DeleteSame here. I do not think I need a smartwatch either.
DeleteHallie, you have provided a great service - no need for me to try a smart watch! Do not allow yourself to be bullied by anyone or anything! listen politely if you must and then do as you darn well please. You've earned that right!
ReplyDeleteOh, Judi - I actually love my smart watch. Most of all because I so often misplace my cell and my watch rings, too, when I get a call or text and I can text back or answer a call, though it feels silly to be talking to my wrist.
DeleteLOL. Was it Maxwell Smart or Fearless Fosdick who talked to his watch? I think the later. My silly namesake talked to his shoe, yes?
DeleteI agree on the silliness of talking to my wrist. I don’t use that feature often because my iPhone streams directly to my cochlear implants while the Apple Watch doesn’t.
DeleteDick Tracy, Edith!
DeleteFearless Fosdick was the comic strip inside the Dick Tracy comic strip. Lol
DeleteHallie, yes, bullied by everything. I try to get my steps in, I’ve cut way down on caffeine, try to drink more non-caffeinated, non -alcoholic beverages (I don’t like the taste of water), eat more vegetables …I absolutely am not giving up my bread, pasta, or rice, wine with dinner or my Friday night martini. I am trying to wear a mask when at the grocery store, the hardware store etc. Wishing us all luck and love!
ReplyDeleteSuzette, sounds like you are definitely earning your Brownie points
DeleteBullying, to me, is about feeling pressured by someone with more power. These constant messages...who is sending them? Did I ask for them? If it's the CDC, is the message truly reliable? I think about the difference between a warning and bullying. A warning gives me information to make choices. Bullying feels like someone trying to control me. I have to talk to myself to decide what is going on. Back in 1966, cigarette packs carried the warning: "Caution: Smoking May Be Hazardous." The state also raised tobacco prices by adding a tax. The problem wasn't just about my health; I had to choose: money now, or a longer life later? I quit smoking. It's always a question of what I do with information. With perceptions of bullying, it falls within the realm of power and control. Is my resistance coming from habitual stubbornness, denial, or fear? Fortunately, when the warning comes from a watch, the decision can be made with less pressure.
ReplyDeleteYup, easy to ignore but still it feels a naggy, especially when I realize the watch is generally right.
DeleteNo smart watch for me and Siri doesn't live here. I take the meds that I absolutely need and otherwise, I won't add to them. I have begun to go to the gym again but don't feel like it today. Oh, well, we'll see. As for 5 cups of vegetables and 3 cups of fruits, or whatever they recommend, that only works if you really don't eat much of anything else.
ReplyDeleteAs far as food goes, is peanut butter a vegetable? I am the shopper and the meal maker. We eat fairly healthy and I won't be bullied into eating more of anything because of a list. Irwin chooses to eat different things than I do, including vegetables and fruit, but that's fine. We make it work.
Haha about peanut butter. Ann Cleeves was here in Key West this week speaking and for some reason I forget peanut butter came up and she called it something like a dreadful American invention!
DeleteEmily - how cool that you are in Key West and got to hear Ann Cleeves speak. I enjoy her Vera books and loved the TV show.
DeleteI presume you also got to meet Lucy Burdette and follow in some of Haley Snow's footsteps.
Brits who grew up eating Marmite have no business dissing peanut butter. LOL
DeleteAgree that Marmite is very much an acquired taste!
DeleteAnon, I have met Lucy and see her out walking Lottie frequently. The Ann Cleeves talk was delightful and I sat next to Hallie Ephron!
DeleteI'm in Key West, too - cracked me up when Anne Cleeves dissed peanut butter. And I confess a comeback about marmite occurred to me (though isn't that Australian rather than the UK.
DeleteAccording to Wikipedia Vegemite is Australian while Marmite is British.
DeleteThis is a discouraging read for me today. I've been totally addicted to my Fitness app and have always completed the monthly challenge. I met it the first 3 days of February (need to burn 400 'active calories' 14 times during the month) Unfortunately, I slipped on an icy trail yesterday and broke my wrist. Every bit of my life (typing included) is more difficult now. Probably have to let the goal go.
ReplyDeleteOh, no, Gillian! So sorry about the fracture. Hope you heal up soon and easily.
Deletethanks Edith, me too!
DeleteYou will feel better soon! You are an active person and will recover quickly. I was able to run pain free after a few days when I broke my wrist.
DeleteOooh, Im so sorry to hear, Gillian - that is a setback. Sounds like you were on a great streak.
DeleteSo sorry, Gillian! Wishing you a speedy recovery!
DeleteOh no Gillian, so sorry about the wrist!
Deletethank you, friends, for the good wishes!
DeleteOH, that is SO frustrating! I am so sorry!
Delete"Something else" coming right up. :) I have a smartwatch but it's a Wyze, which does tell me when to stand up, except it knows the difference between sitting at the keyboard and chair yoga. It's not obnoxious about it. The device just jitters when it thinks I've been stationary for too long.
ReplyDelete"Not obnoxious" - that should be their advertising slogan.
DeleteNo SmartWatch (too dumb to use one). Water – all day long, but it needs to be in a glass and with ice cubes. Walking – HATE IT! Doctor asks “are you walking?” No. Diabetic Clinic asks “are you walking?” No. Scared to death of falling, and there are only so many trips you can take around the main floor of the house before you dizzyingly fall off your perch and melt to butter! Fruits and vegs – yes. The right amount? Well, does 1 orange divided into two, half for each of us equal a day’s quota? That is enough for us. Even in summer we grow more vegetables than we can eat and freeze (the frozen tomatoes that we had yesterday were from 2023). Eggs – yes, bring them on! Besides in this house they are ‘free’. By the way, we are hearing that eggs have gone up enormously in price in the US????? Love them and they are so easy and quick. So, bullys and influencers, may a suggest a long walk and a short pier…
ReplyDeleteMargo, egg prices are skyrocketing in the U.S. due to bird flu, and flocks having to be destroyed in an effort to contain the epidemic, which can cross to human beings. However, with our new lack of regulation and health information, that destruction may cease. Either way, as the virus is carried by wild birds, I imagine it will reach Canada sometime this summer. I too have "free eggs" that cost a mint and I hope my little flock of half a dozen mostly old ladies is spared. (Selden)
DeleteThe bird flu news is terrifying.Time to buckle up, again.
DeleteConsider, dear ones, in the present day which of us truly needs more bullying? Elisabeth
ReplyDeleteAfter writing my first comment, I took a shower…the place of good thinking…and remembered when in the late 1970s learning a computer programming language that used English. The first programming the class did was writing “Dumb machine”. (Gray haired brain remembers few details.) The program was started by the command “Do Dumb” . The next message “Yes, master. How many times, master?” Type in any number. The response, “I am a dumb machine.” Appeared on the screen over and over until it appeared the number of times you requested. I wish I remembered how it ended. But “Master” not “dumb machine” was in control. Remember that the next time that “smart” watch reminds you to stand up. Also, there is always “The Big Red Switch”. Just shut it off. Elisabeth, the cynical grouch (at least for today.)
DeleteHow did I miss Dumb machine language/
DeleteEeek! As someone who absolutely despises being told what to do (my poor parents!), I think a smart watch would last about 2.2 minutes in my house. I also find it distracting when I am spending time with someone and they are constantly buzzing or beeping (or looking at their wrist/phone). But the question of being bullied is a looming one in today’s world and I am doing my best to keep my feet on the ground (literally - walking every day to burn off adrenaline from stress, and figuratively - trying to stay focused on my immediate world). Thankfully I live in an area where most people mind their own business.
ReplyDeleteJust keep putting one foot after the other...
DeleteI hear the advice. I mostly ignore it. My resting heart rate is down in the high 70s. My blood pressure at my most recent appointment was 106/58. I'm at a healthy weight and I haven't had a flare up in my MS since 2016.
ReplyDeleteI think I'm doing fine, thankyouverymuch.
Yes, Liz, you are doing very well. Elisabeth
DeleteLiz, you're dong GREAT
DeleteWhen we go to my brother’s house, we are not allowed red meat, salt, butter, any fat in or on anything, caffeine, cream for coffee, eggs unless poached in a silicon thing with NOTHING on it. and I am sure other things. We can have all the 0% yoghurt we can eat (I do not like yoghurt unless it is an ingredient), carrots and hummus we want. Talk about bullying!
ReplyDeleteAfter we leave, we stop and McD’s for a greasy something and a coffee – with cream!
Like Hallie, I agree food should be happiness.
I hope you don't have togo there too often. Because I'd want hollandaise sauce on my perfectly poached eggs.
DeleteTechnology is amazing until it starts to be in charge, it seems. My friend bought a smart watch when she had a cardiac incident and wanted the ECG feature; that seemed sensible to me. I don't have a watch, but I do LOVE those green fireworks on the walking app on my phone, when I reach the 10,000 step mark. That's enough monitoring for me!
ReplyDeleteSince I have afib I have a Kardia that syncs to my phone. When I'm worried about my heart rate it will do a mini ECG to reassure or warn me. I just put two fingertips on it. I don't need the information very often.
DeleteI have afib, too, and it's been a wonderful help monitoring and keeping track and reassuring (or not)
DeleteMy watch isn’t that smart :-) I just have a Fitbit, which tells me to stand up from time to time and walk, and counts my steps. I absolutely love it. And I would love to have an Apple Watch, like my husbands, but I don’t have time to do the complicated set up :-) and there you have it.
ReplyDeleteI think I know how my body and systems work, right now at least, and moderation with a bit of sugar and carb abstention seems to work for me. I know I don’t drink enough water, in fact, I am always astonished that coffee, Diet Coke, and wine at night on my only fluids. I do need to change that. :-)
Otherwise, so far so good.
But I think those smart watches are genius for so many reasons, and I fully embrace them.
Hank, the set up does not have to be complicated. Enter your height and weight, nothing else is necessary.
DeleteYes, thank you! but I think it's about my phone, ridiculously enough. It has to be paired with my phone, and my phone is an 11 or something and it needs a 13. (I cannot believe that sentence actually makes sense..)
DeleteIf I can synch my phone and watch, anyone can. And my phone is not at all new.
DeleteHhmm! Thank you! I will check again!
DeleteI do sometimes feel pushed by my Apple Watch but most of the time I enjoy the ease of logging an activity or tapping to pay at a store. My husband says I like the “gamification.” Re: the hydration, I’m in Key West for a month and while the temperature isn’t that high (mid 70s) the humidity is in the mid 90s which is definitely NOT my comfort zone so I am really having to pay attention to drinking enough water. Thankfully after many years of visiting here I know where a lot of toilets are!
ReplyDeleteFrom Celia: Faced with the intransigence of my mother, who would not agree to any sort of monitoring system after my fathers death, yes I do wear a smart watch. My mother with very poor eye sight, mobility issues etc. not to mention living alone, finally settled the argument with, "Well I'll call Jean every morning at 9:30".
ReplyDeleteWhen my daughter raised the same issue worrying that if I fell, had a heart attack etc. how would her dad cope? This was a no brainer. "Time for the watch", I said. So yes, it's rather bossy and gives me all sorts of commands, but thinking of my younger grandson who would yell, when not happy, "You are not the boss of me". Actually watch, I am the boss of you as well as the boss of me. I decide what gives.
Luckily I have a sensible doctor who regards me as a whole person not as some bot buffeted by the winds of popular opinion, influencers or other so-called experts. "Salt is not your friend", casually says my cardio doc. I say, "And what does that mean?" which did not get a helpful answer. I researched salt, spoke with a well recommended nutritionist and forged my own food path which resulted in a third pound weight loss so all happy here.
Water - I notice no one actually says the size of glass which I think is an 8oz. Eight of those is 64oz which is half a gallon. Looks huge like that but I carry water in my car and always have a glass at hand when working etc. Some days I get 64 oz down and some days more or less. If I have learned nothing over the past eighty odd years, I've learned to listen to my body and take well intentioned advice with a large pinch of salt metaphorically speaking.
As for mental health, I'm staying as far away from TV news, written news, any news, as I can but I can report that. our Congresswoman, Chellie Pingree normally expects 25-40? calls a day and is getting 2000. I'm grateful for others efforts but I don't plan to join them any time soon.
You're so right that it's a burden to our children (if we're lucky enough to have them) when we refuse to monitor our health. I asked my doctor should I give up caffeine and he shrugged and said there were as many studies that suggested YES and there were studies that said NO.
DeleteI don't feel bullied by people who give advice that is "good" for me. Bullied has a connotation of doing something that is harmful. But it is non-the-less annoying. Sometimes I take the advice but then I feel guilty if I know it is good for me and I don't follow up on the advice.
ReplyDeleteYou're right "bully" has a negative connotation.
DeleteSometimes telling me to move when I have been sitting too long is a good idea. I love using the app that tracks my workout so I can check my heart rate as well as the total time exercised. What I find ridiculous are the dietary guidelines. Is there anyone out there who can swear that they eat or drink exactly what is recommended? Just try consuming 80-90 grams of protein each day. If I ate all that is required including fruits and veggies, I'd need to substantially increase my exercise to move all of that through my system! Let me share one anecdote pertaining to water. I went in for an annual check-up and did not eat anything prior to the visit as i needed to weigh in. Lastly, I went to the lab for blood to be drawn to complete the battery of tests. Low and behold, the tech could not get any blood out of my veins. So, she asked me if I'd had anything to drink that day and I had to tell her no. Isn't that scary not to have enough water in your system to move the blood around to your heart and your brain? I am trying to drink more water regardless! Breathe deeply!
ReplyDeleteDRINK! There's plenty of science behind the correlation between how much water you drink and blood pressure. That's why I do try to follow the water advice. But it doesn't all have to be "water". Regular food has lots of liquid and it counts. Tea and coffee and diet coke count. Ice cream counts!
DeleteHallie, thank you! I thought I was the only one being bullied to distraction by my devices. I have what I think of as "Nanny" devices. Stand up! says my watch, "Beep" says my car when it thinks I don't see the car RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME. Should I call 911? my watch asks when I stub my toe. Siri asks who I'm trying to call. Google asks what playlist I want. Arrrrggggh! And yes, I think of it as bullying. I'm perfectly capable of doing my own exercise, knowing whom I want to phone, and what music I want to hear, thank you. I get a LOT of exercise...and yet, I feel as if my watch has become like my cat. Disapproving, no matter what!
ReplyDeleteTurn the reminders off. Turn the fall detector off.
DeleteI just bought a smart watch as I live alone on a farm and it has fall detection. I haven’t turned on the marching orders but do appreciate the conveniences Hallie mentioned. Eating advice is constantly changing so I am waiting until they finally decide what is good and bad before maki bug changes 😉.
ReplyDeleteKids bullied at school, called teasing, it's memories can still hurt, but that was childhood. I was told once that too much water was not good for your eye pressure, or something like that, due to my family's history of glaucoma. Walking would be good but the thought of it can be so discouraging because I'm such a self-naysayer. Okay, enough of that. Off to work and trying not panic about the news and those loud talkers, who are increasing my panic about retiring this year. Sheez, enough already.
ReplyDeleteA lot of heart or kidney patients can't drink water, either, because of edema issues. My brother-in-law has dialysis four times a week, and it's much worse if he's had more liquids than he's allowed.
DeleteHallie, isn't lox salmon? Trying to figure out a way that could be a vegetable. LOL
ReplyDeleteMy grandson just had walking pneumonia a couple weeks ago, and he was really sick. Turns out it is highly contagious. So that's what I thought I had this weekend, until I went to the doctor yesterday. Nope, it's Flu A. At the risk of being called a bully, please don't get this. It's purely awful.
I stopped wearing my FitBit during lockdown, because why? I don't have any idea what became of it, either. However, my husband, who has aFib, has been wearing a fancy one that takes his vitals in some mysterious way, and alerts him to heart issues. We are eternally grateful for that technology.
Terry, my car is also a terrible nag! Trying to back into our garage it beeps maniacally, and I can't turn it off without losing the rearview camera. So annoying.
By creating a vegan Salmon using tofu. / becomes a protein that we dye green and call it Vegetable
DeleteSomehow I don't think Hallie eating vegan lox.
DeleteHallie, I had to laugh - Last night was K-Drama night with my young friend Samantha. We had just finished a meal of baked beans corn muffins, and played several rounds of Mankala, when my watch beeped me. "Only 2,763 more steps to go to meet your daily goals!" It was after 7pm! The only daily goal I still had to meet was splitting a bottle of soju with Samanatha.
ReplyDeleteI had a Fitbit for years to monitor my steps. It was old and I had credit at Best Buy so got myself an Apple Watch. I literally just use it to check the time! I don’t know how to do anything else with it. I have twice used it as a phone when I was not near my actual phone but I don’t know how to make a call with it or even if it will make a call. Lately I am more concerned with my iPhone and now our TV (probably due to the brand new remote) saying, “I didn’t catch that” when I am talking to my husband. Didn’t catch that? Does that mean you’ve “caught” every other thing we’ve said??! — Pat S
ReplyDeleteI think I’m a fairly healthy eater. Six years ago I joined Weight Watchers and I managed to lose 23 pounds, and keep them off, by watching portion sizes and adding more fruits and vegetables to my diet. Periodically I read somewhere, or hear on the news, that I need to eat even MORE vegetables! Drink More water! My refrigerator and freezer are not big enough to hold more food. The biggest part of my grocery bill is for produce. I think I’m doing okay. My doctor is happy with me. I just ignore the bullies.
ReplyDeleteEver since I retired, I’ve been having trouble with getting enough water. I no longer have a desk job, where I had two water bottles on my desk and refilled each of them a couple of times throughout the day. (And ran to the rest room quite often!) I’m out and about, and trying to remember to drink my water, even if I have a water bottle with me. Other than that, I’m doing well!
DebRo
Hallie, When I take a nap, I set my Apple Watch to "Do Not Disturb" mode. To turn on "Do Not Disturb" when napping:
ReplyDelete1. Push the button on the side of the watch (not the dial that spins and pushes).
2. You'll see several icons, scroll if necessary, tap the icon that looks like a partial moon.
3. Select/Tap "Do Not Disturb."
4. I then select for "Do Not Disturb" for an hour," so I don't have to remember to turn it back off.
My devices are set up so that once I activate "Do Not Disturb" on my Apple Watch, my other Apple devices also go into "Do Not Disturb" mode. I do have family on my Emergency contact lists, so I think they can still reach me even in "Do Not Disturb" mode.
I've also turned off the Breathe alerts, they were too annoying. I've noticed my Watch often doesn't realize that I'm moving if I'm "gently" walking because someone else is sleeping. I must walk with more arm movement or something the rest of the time?? But I do really like my Watch. --Missy
THANK YOU! Who new?!? Didn't even realize there was another button on the side of the watch.
DeleteI sleep with my watch on at night, to keep it quiet and dark:
Delete1. Push the same side button.
2. Tap the icon that looks like two theater/acting masks...1 smiling, 1 frowning mask. On my watch, tapping this icon also activates the bell icon.
Now my watch stays dark and silent until I reverse the steps to turn off Theater Mode.
I also have my phone set up to go into "Do Not Disturb" mode at 11PM everyday so only emergency contacts will alert me.
Hope this helps, Missy
No desire for an Apple watch here. I want less digital distractions, not more. I'm actually really good about keeping my phone with me for safety reasons, especially if I am outside by myself. And while I used to wear a Fitbit when they made clip-ons, I don't like having things on my wrist when I'm home (bugs me when I type, etc.) But my phone has a step tracker and that's fine. I don't need something to tell me I need to get up--I do drink a lot of water and so many trips to the loo, lol.
ReplyDeleteI'm a big believer in moderation in all things. I've always eaten a healthy diet, only now the mainstream advice has come around to a Mediterranean type diet which I've pretty much done for decades. However, I am a small person! While I do eat fruits and vegetables every day, if I ate the recommended servings I don't know where I would put them!
I really have to pay attention to get anywhere near the liquid goal, too.
DeleteLox definitely counts as a veggie, and if you have cream cheese, well - wait - cream cheese and scallions or chives or onion. You've got it covered. If I ate all that in a day I'd double for the Pillsbury Dough Lady. Does wine count in the water equation? If it does, I'm golden :)
ReplyDeleteI can happily ignore all kinds of advice. Who made them the boss of me?
ReplyDeleteOh, dear, I'm exhausted just reading their advice. If i can cut down on my sugar, I call it a win.
ReplyDeleteMy one goal is to try to walk an average of three miles a day--"average" is the operative word because I certainly don't manage three miles when it's raining, icy, or well under freezing. But since I do more walking when the weather is good, it's no problem reaching my goal. I don't drink enough liquid, and I don't eat as healthily as I should, but as long as my BMI is under 25 . . . Oh, wait, "they" have discredited BMI now, haven't they? More bullying!
ReplyDeleteThis blogging today made me remember the day during the pandemic, when after several months staying home, having a friend buy groceries, using Amazon for everything, not seeing people, I asked myself this question: would you rather risk being sick (dying) or risk going insane (which was the way I felt I was going)? On went the mask and out of the house to the grocery store I went. Elisabeth
ReplyDeleteApologies, all. Lost my temper. Painful to do so in such a public way. Listened to too much news today. As my favorite Mary Engelbreit poster says “0h, I’m fine. Just fine. Perfectly fine. Really I’m fine. Fine.” Elisabeth
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