Linking up with Anne at In Residence for Currently
Beginning: Jenny Craig. I started out 2020 eating pretty well and being active, but then COVID happened…and then I got blood clots in my lungs. It was not a great year for my health. I decided to try out Jenny Craig for breakfast and lunch and see how things go. I’ll still have to figure out one meal a day and snacks. I’m only a couple days in but so far I’m not minding the food. Would anyone be interested in a post at the end of the month about the food, how it’s going for me, etc.? I’m hoping it will be the first step in being healthier and losing some weight that I gained in 2020. Ugh, 2020…the gift that keeps on giving.
Feeling: frustrated. Right before Christmas, I was diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome in both hands. I’ve been dealing with a lot of numbness, tingling, and pain (especially in my right dominant hand). This seriously makes it tough to do a lot of things – beyond just typing. Even holding a book or Kindle to read makes my hands hurt or go really numb. I’m finally seeing a hand specialist this Friday so we’ll see what the plan forward will be. Right now, I’m a bit miserable.
Organizing: my new laptop. I finally got a new one, because the one I’m currently using is slowly dying on me. I’m not using the new one full-time yet though because I need to make sure I have all the documents and whatnot transferred over. I do have protection and Microsoft installed though, so I’m one step closer!
Resolving: to work on my novel this year and actually finish it. I’d love to be able to query for literary agents sometime this year. Granted, I haven’t been able to really write with the carpal tunnel…just doing blog posts often leaves my hands aching. Regardless, I know I’ll be back to writing at some point and I need to make more time for writing.
Wondering: when I’ll be able to get the Covid vaccine. I know some people who work in the medical field that have gotten it, which is great because they are definitely on the front lines. I don’t know when “regular” people like myself will have the chance to get one though. Hopefully sooner than later!
Oh man. I’m pretty sure I have the beginnings of carpal tunnel. It can’t be helped, I spend SO MUCH TIME on computers.
And yay for starting Jenny Craig! I just know 2021 will be your year!
I am so sorry to hear about your health issues! Hopefully the specialist can help you out quickly so you can get back to all the things you want to do, especially your novel! I’m wondering about the vaccine too and when I will get it. My friend is a respiratory therapist who works directly with covid patients everyday and she got hers; I feel such relief about her safety now.
Oh I hope you are able to get some relief for your carpal tunnel – and can get to work on writing that novel. A new computer should be a help, although I know all too well the hassle of breaking a new one in. And yes, do tell us how it goes with Jenny Craig. I need to do something again. Nutrisystem a few years back was very successful, but then all the weight gradually came back – and of course Covid has added another layer on top of that.
Good luck with your writing! And remember to have grace with yourself re: health goals – that’s always a hard one. My partner is a paramedic and gets his second vaccine shot later this week, so we’re hoping the side effects aren’t that bad. I’m with you though – one of the “normal” people still waiting. Haha. Happy New Year!
I’d love to hear how you’re doing with food, etc. I gained weight this year too and I’m hoping to get it back down! I’m sorry about your hands! I’d suggest a book holder (like a cookbook holder) to prop up your book on your desk. You’d still have to turn pages, but the kindle is easy with that! What is your novel about?
I’m always interested in other people’s journeys — fitness, recovery, self care, self improvement…so yes, please! I hope you’re fully recovered from your illness, that sounds scary. 🙁
My husband will probably get the vaccine before us, to be honest. He’s an essential worker not in a sense that he works in the medical field, but he works in a biopharm company, so they might give it to their employees soon.
Have a great week!
Enjoy the new laptop. I love shiny new toys. Sorry about the CT. I have had it for a long time now (and it pairs well with my old lady arthritis). Stretches and appliances help. Will you do the surgery? My mother says it helped her. Good luck with the diet too!
Sorry to hear about your carpal tunnel! I wonder if one of those book stands, you know for cookbooks while you’re cooking, would help when reading a kindle? So you don’t have to hold it. I would be interested in hearing about your weight loss/healthy goals journey. I’m always trying to eat healthy and exercise. It’s a constant feature of my life, but well worth it! Good luck! 🙂
Sorry to hear to hear about the health issues, especially blood clots. I have had those myself. Congratulations on eating healthy and keep up the good work.
I hope you can find some relief from the CT. It’s hard when something has an impact of everyday activities (like just holding a book). Good luck with Jenny Craig. My husband and I have been on the WW plan for the last year and made some great changes.
Oh no, I’m sorry to hear about your hands! I hope they start to feel better soon!
But yay for the new laptop! I always like when I get to set up new devices, especially computers, when I haven’t made a mess yet and got files and apps everywhere!
I’m sorry about all your health issues Lauren.
I’ve had carpel tunnel syndrome on and off for years. The Kindle REALLY aggravates it too. I have to take electronics breaks and do daily stretches.
I think Kevin might be getting the shot soon. He’s the next tier of essential workers but the roll out has been slow so we’ll see.
Karen @ For What It’s Worth
Oh man, it’s no fun to not be able to do your normal activities because of pain – hope you are able to get some helpful treatment! And I’m very happy that my husband is getting his 2nd dose of the vaccine soon, but indeed it feels very unknown when the regular people might be up next in line, so I don’t see our life/precautions changing any time soon… Hang in there!
Yay for a new laptop! So sorry to hear about your hands- my friend was diagnosed with the same earlier last year and just had surgery in the beginning of December. Hoping you get some answers (and treatment) soon!
Oh no- sorry to hear about the carpal tunnel! That sounds so painful. I hope you have some relief from it soon. and yes the vaccine question- it’s so hard to know when it’ll be available.
Good luck with your writing and I hope you’re able to get back to it soon, carpal tunnel notwithstanding. Have a great rest of the week!
Ugh the 2020 weight gain. I didn’t gain a ton but a combo of the meds I was taking and the comfort-eating definitely made my pants not fit. Just try to exercise (walking is best!) however you can!
I’m sorry you’ve had health issues and have had such pain and discomfort in your hands. Carpal tunnel syndrome sounds very painful – hope that you can get some options that work for you.
All the best with your novel!
I’d love to hear about how JC is going, and I’m so sorry for all the health issues that 2020 has left on your lap. I hope 2021 is more healthy in ALL ways! And YES to the vaccine…I really wish my kids could get it soon!
I absolutely love the structure of this post. It feels like we are reading your diary. Happy New Year to you and hopes for health and healing.
I’m so sorry to hear about your carpal tunnel! I hope you are able to get some relief soon. A new laptop is exciting! Mine is also nearing the end of its life I fear, so that is on the horizon for me as well.
Good luck with Jenny Craig. We tried Nutrisystem years ago and just couldn’t stick to it. Hope Jenny Craig will work for you. I keep saying I ‘ve started back on Weight Watchers but I am not doing very well at tracking my points….she says as she finishes up the last of 3 Twizzlers.
Glad you are seeing a specialist about your carpal tunnel. I have heard very good things about the surgery but hope it won’t come to that for you. I was diagnosed with de quervain’s tendinitis which is similar to carpal tunnel. I was given a steroid shot in my thumb where it connects with the wrist and have never had trouble in the years since.
I totally understand what’s going on in your hands. Mine comes and goes but it can my days and nights miserable. I just got a new laptop too. Not a Macbook this time because I was trying to be more frugal. It’s ok but definitely not a Mac. First world problems…
I have carpal tunnel in both hands, so I feel your pain! (Literally.) I’m not allowed to hold fragile stuff because I’ll drop it. Sometimes everything from the elbows down feels like a lump of rubbery pain. I looked into the surgery years ago, but my insurance didn’t cover it, and it would have cost $40,000 to do both arms. The only things that have helped are stretches and buying kitchen appliances that are meant for people with arthritis.
I gained weight in 2020 too and am realizing that stress eating isn’t a great idea when you do it for ten months! Haha. Sadly, Covid isn’t over so I’ll have to figure out my eating too. I’m so sorry you’re dealing with carpal tunnel — that sounds really hard.
I’m sorry to hear you are having a rough time of it, I hope you feel better soon.
We know have three approved vaccines on the go now in the UK, looking at the lists of people getting vaccines I think it’ll be a long time till I get mine but I’m fine with that, I’d rather the front line, at risk and older people get there’s first. There’s talk of vaccination being carried out 24 hours a day.
Do a post on Jenny Craig & let me know what you think of it.
I’m so sorry about your carpal tunnel. I had it for quite awhile in my right hand & it was miseryyyyy…. try & do a lot of stretches!!! See if it helps
I’m sorry to hear about your health issues – I hope you’ll feel better soon! Ugh, carpal tunnel – I’m pretty sure if I continue I’ll eventually get to that point, but for now it’s an annoying overuse and having to sleep with a brace (and hoping for a very very slow heal).
Oh man, carpal tunnel is the worst. I hope you find some relief. My co-worker had surgery back in December for his. He said the recovery wasn’t bad and he feels better.
Oh no! I am sorry for the diagnosis. That is hard. Hugs to you as you try to navigate this diagnosis.
My husband works for our big hospital group here and he got the vaccine a couple of weeks ago. He gets the 2nd dose next week. I’m surprised I haven’t gotten carpal tunnel yet with all of the work I do on my laptop!! I am sorry to hear about the blood clots in your lungs, that had to of been scary! I am glad you got it checked out and are starting Jenny Craig!! I’ve been working on eating cleaner for a few years now and I def. feel better. One thing I cut back on this year was getting Starbucks 3 (or sometimes more!) a week! It was a bad habit, but I’ve cut back to once a week now… which is still bad, but I can’t give up my one Starbucks a week! ha!! 🙂
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
I hope you have a better year health wise this year!!! And oh my gosh, carpal tunnel?!? You poor thing!!! I hope the specialist had good news for you!!
hand problems are so annoying. Hoping all will be good and not permanently. Also good luck on your novel.
Oh no! You got blood clots in your lungs… I am so glad you are better. I would be interested in how’s it going for you food-wise. Food posts are always fun and it’s interesting to see someone progress.
I love that you are planning to finish your book! Maybe you need to work on writing your posts slower like writing a little every day so you don’t hurt yourself.
I hope 2021 is better for you health-wise (:
I never was diagnosed with carpal tunnel, but my doctor has a brace for me to wear when I have the numb hand issues. I’m not always good about it though. And mine comes and goes. Good luck with the Jenny Craig. I keep saying I’m going to do better, even had a nutritionist friend make me a food plan, but I keep blowing it because I don’t feel like cooking and it requires more fresh food and less of the easy stuff I am used to just eating quickly. Definitely share with us in your monthly wrap-up or whatever how you’re doing. I’d love to hear of whatever is helping you to maybe try myself! My school district sent out an email asking which employees were interested in getting the vaccine and I signed up to get it as soon as we are able.
I want a new laptop so bad! I have to use my school one, which is nice, but I keep needing to transfer stuff off to a hard drive and that is kind of a pain because I don’t want to take the hard drive with me everywhere. As for writing, I’m trying so hard to stick to it myself! If only we lived closer and could do writing dates or something. :-). Of course I mean when we’re actually able to do stuff with other people again. Here’s hoping 2021 gets better for you!
I am also wondering when we’ll be able to get vaccinated. I do hope Biden has a plan for quicker distribution!
With the vaccine priority lists, in the UK, I expect I’ll be near the bottom of the list and not vaccinated until sometime in the summer/autumn but I’m ok with that as at least the most vulnerable are vaccinated and society can start opening up (in some capacity) sooner than later! (We’re in another lockdown…)
Good luck with the weight loss/eating plan and general health drive and I hope that the carpel tunnel eases off a bit so you can get to tackling your writing goals. 🙂
Wish you all the best with your weight loss and hope your carpal tunnel is able to be healed quickly.