Sunday Reflections
Happy Sunday, friends! It is wonderful to be back with Sunday Reflections after a recent vacation.
Sunday Reflections is when I reflect on the week behind us and sometimes the week ahead.
Today, I am pondering my personal goals for my recent week long trip to Mexico.
The past two years have certainly come with challenges…one scheduled foot surgery, one emergency foot surgery with a toe removal, and an unexpected move to another city.
I have confessed before how all of this came with physical challenges and a pressing need to get back to my health.
As a Christian, I often have personal Sunday Reflections on the Bible verse in 1 Corinthians 6:19: “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God?”
God gifted me this body to be treated as a temple of the Holy Spirit and I need to get past all of the stress and life changes as excuses, and get back to caring for “the temple.”
So, come join me today in Sunday Reflections as I share with you how I approached my time in Mexico.
SUNDAY REFLECTIONS: MOVE!
I fully intended to use these 7 days to return to a more physically active lifestyle.
My original intention was to go to the resort gym daily and be on the treadmill.
However, when surrounded by beautiful outdoors and perfect weather, why spend the time in a gym?
The walkway in this first picture is directly in front of the resort.
It goes through beautiful foliage, and eventually turns into a dirt road that goes right into the little town I love called Bucerias.
A full walk from the resort to Bucerias and back is around 4-5 miles.
I did the whole walk once, and part of it, daily, over the next two days.
That is the best way to see the town…and you have to get out and walk to do it.
We did taxi in at night for safety purposes, but the daytime was perfect walking time.
Before you think too highly of me, please note that Mr. B and his sister would walk back on the beach.
I tried it and it was too hard for me with my current balance challenges…so our BIL, Jay, was very sweet to walk back with me on the street and to the pathway. Mr. B walked back with me once.
Also, at the resort I tried three days of Zumba…though very uncoordinated when it was a fast pace, I still enjoyed the workout and found a free Zumba on Youtube for beginners that I am going to implement occasionally at home.
It is a 10 minute workout…very doable….but almost too easy.
This focus on moving more really helped and motivated me to keep it going now that I am back home.
I am still doing my Osteo-Strong once a week and they helped me to schedule around the trip so I still got it in once a week.
But, I will be seeking ways to walk more. Without sidewalks in the new neighborhood, it is more of a challenge, but I am determined to keep this going.
And, thank goodness every place we went sold bottled water so I was able to stay hydrated.
SUNDAY REFLECTIONS: EAT FRESH!
Mexico really is a great place to be motivated to eat luscious fresh foods.
Each meal we experienced included fresh seafood, fruits and veggies…even fresh baked breads in a couple of the meals….though I did my best to avoid bread.
I could not get enough of the fresh fruits and veggies.
Since returning home, I have begun avocado toast once again for breakfast.
I use Ezekiel Toast with a mixture of chopped mango, tomato, onion, red bell pepper and cilantro on top of the avocado.
Occasionally, I will throw a poached egg on top.
SUNDAY REFLECTIONS: PRIORITIZE YOU
It is so important that we recognize the harm stress does to our bodies.
I have been mentally moving so fast to deal with all that comes with a major move that I have not been caring for me…and it shows!
Without other distractions, the trip was my time to take me back and get going on a true healthy journey once again. Full on!
It was wonderful that I had the opportunity in Mexico to do this, but I must keep it going in Texas…NO MORE EXCUSES.
Instead of making a restaurant reservation for Valentine’s Day this week, I will turn to Mr. B and say…”Let’s go for a stroll.”
Yes, Valentine’s is this week, but I also will be discussing with you my favorite swimwear and why, in tomorrow’s post….which also discusses how I used the resort spa.
On Wednesday, the news will return.
The other days….who knows…but I plan to keep it fun.
Thank you for joining me today for Sunday Reflections.
Now, do you consider the wear and tear stress does on your body? Please share any thoughts you have on our healthy journey over 50…I hope we can encourage each other to move more….
BE THANKFUL & KEEP SMILING!!
By Pamela Lutrell
Whether shopping new arrivals or clearance sales, please shop with the links on my SHOPPING PAGE…thank you, thank you to all who shop this way.
You look youthful and leaner with your hair off your neck and away from your face.
Thanks for joining us today. Happy Sunday!
Beautiful pictures of the resort. What is pictured in the fifth picture of the blog?
wonderful week of choices!
I have been following along this week but not posting. I loved the ceramics and the clothes in particular. Although I am not a big print person, it was fun to see. I liked the simple white dress with the long top as well as the deep cranberry skirt with the white top. The bold colorful prints are fun, but I am not as flamboyant as I used to be when younger. We lived the Dominican Republic for five years, and I was much more colorful then! Your much needed vacation affected you in many ways. The change. The beauty. The food. The exercise. You look happy and ready to challenge yourself with new routines. We are going to South Carolina soon. Hopefully I can shake my winter doldrums! I woke up to many inches of fresh snow this morning and it is still coming down. It’s feeling like 5* and I am ready for a change. Another storm is due Thursday, but I am excited. My daughter’s family is coming next weekend and the kids will be able to make snowmen. Have a lovely Sunday.
Hi Gail, that is the most interesting building in Bucerias. On our walk, we went past it and it captured my attention. I am not certain if it was for offices or apartments.
It should help immensely to have grandchildren playing in the snow. I understand that you can weary of it. Thanks for being here today, Deborah.
I agree with Ann! You look so pretty with your hair off your face😊
Thank you, Carol. I rarely wear it this way…mainly when working out. The nice thing about having thick, longer hair in my 70s is that I can wear it many ways and mix things up. But, I do pull it back when walking or working out in warmer climates. Also, there are personal reasons…things I am covering up at my age…that are exposed more when I pull it back.
Not to minimize your health challenges and big move but as I have gotten older I have found stress to be the biggest challenge in our lives as we age. Handling stress is sometimes easier said then done and each individual reacts differently. Right now my eczema is flaring and for some reason it has chosen my face and eyelids this time! I live in a beautiful, gated communtity in a climate that allows me to walk everyday. I also have access to a gym with all the equipment but I prefer to be outside, admiring the flowers and trees. While I walk I listen to a book and become transported. At 73 I feel blessed that my dermatological events are my biggest health challenge. When stress really gets to me I grab my golf clubs, go to the driving range and hit balls. Amazing how smacking a ball lets the stress out :]!!
You are not minimizing my journey, Linda. You are supporting what I have experienced. I am so sorry about your Eczema… keep smacking those golf balls!
Just Love you for sharing and you look vibrant and beautiful!
I love my pink t shirt too and actually had on a “twin” outfit yesterday. Stay motivated and we all will! God bless, Sandra
I have had this shirt for 11 years when I was going to classes at the Y…it has held up well!
Pamela, your points are so true! Thanks for the motivation. Yesterday I ordered the red shoes from Easy Spirit and can’t wait to see them. Looking bright and cute while moving is a motivation, too. 😁 You look great in that first picture. Good luck with your journey. We gotta keep on keepin’ on.
Yes, we do, Marcia! Enjoy your new red shoes!!
I relate to what you are saying about stress taking a toll on our health, as I have really struggled myself these past two years. México is a great re-set. Looking forward to reading about your spa experience!
Reset…that is the best way to look at it! My trip was the perfect way to reset. I know you have been through so much lately, Connie. Take care of you!
Looks like you had a great time, Pam. Did I miss the post that shared where you stayed?
Hi Sharon,
Here is the post
https://over50feeling40.com/2025/02/travel-clothes-for-tropical-adventures.html
What a nice way to spend a week. I agree about what stress can do to us. I actually feel it and have to make sure I try to calm down. Sometimes it’s hard though.
At least you made me aware. I like your title of one section that was Prioritize You. Often I don’t do that because I feel I am being selfish.
Our false spring is over. It will be 41 degrees for a high to day and colder all week with some snow coming in Monday night. Trixy, Brent and I will be back in our puffer coats for our daily walk. Stress is the hardest thing for me to fight. It makes me sick. Right now I’m fighting off a mild cold. I want to keep it mild until this virus is toast. I keep drinking my tea. We had to cut our walk to going around the track in the center of the park in our community. It dips down out of the wind with the homes around it. The snows we’ve had have kept the grass in the center very green. Trixy loves the sniffing. My imbalance problem is what stopped my skiing and biking. Light weights and stretching are my best activities besides our usual mile walks. I also had to give up yoga. I’m a fall risk. Brent will not let me walk alone he holds my hand which is nice. It is a long ways from our active lifestyle for so many years. One of our neighbors tripped and fell and broke his shoulder requiring surgery. We have sidewalks, curbing and paved streets. It is also flat which is another reason why we had to leave our forever home farther up on the surrounding foothills of our beautiful mountains which surround our town on three sides. We built this house ten years ago and have never regretted our move. I love it here. I hope you learn to love your new home as well. Good luck on your health journey.
Thanks for the inspiration as usual Pam! You are so right about taking care of yourself. Three months ago I got sick and my whole body seems like it fell apart overnight. I cannot drive, I can barely walk and I am trying every day to motivate myself to keep moving and bounce back slowly but surely. So please keep encouraging us! We all love you!
You can actually do more for others…and do it with joy…if you take care of number 1!
I do too…thanks for sharing yours, Sydney!
Hang in there, Beth! Don’t stop moving! You can do it and even baby steps matter.
I congratulate you on your commitment to working on your mobility after your foot surgeries. I’m in the process of learning how to walk again after fracturing my leg. It is very challenging at age 73, but exciting and gratifying to make progress of any kind despite the difficulty. I wish you the best!
Dear Pam: you are a treasure! I am so glad you had the opportunity to take some time off and it also helped with a “reset” of sorts with fitness goals. Sometimes we are so hard on ourselves. Worrying about extra pounds and undone goals etc. Our bodies are a temple as well as a gift and so much of them functions flawlessly and miraculously for us. Just think of the complexities of eyesight or the ability our hands have to do work. Oh I know! Parts are not quite as great as they once were, but man! They keep going. Movement and good eating seem to be the key, but life also deserves some chocolate! Managing stress–we all have some of it–is a lifetime goal. A change of scene for a few days really helps with the stress, so I hope we can all have that occasionally.
I wish you the best, Anne. I know that is a big challenge…baby steps matter…any movement counts…don’t pressure yourself.
I know it made a difference for me! And it was ice cream over chocolate!!
Sometimes it is good to take a step back from the daily ins & outs of life & ponder where we are going & where we want to go. I’m glad you had such a beautiful place to do this. We women are not very good at self-care. We are so very busy caring for others that we often place ourselves at the bottom of the list. As the saying goes, “You can’t pour from an empty cup.”
Thanks for the reminder, Becky…that saying says it well. We do more for others when we care for ourselves!
I have been walking two miles a day with my neighbor. I had told myself that I shouldn’t walk daily because of arthritic knees. But guess what! My knees are better than ever and I feel very strong and healthy. My learning: don’t let age and condition be barriers to getting up and moving.
Thanks for sharing, Margaret! Keep up the good work!
I relate to your comment about 10 minutes workouts.
I have a collection of 10 minute DVD workouts. I used to do them before I got ready to go to work. Since I retired I’ve been wandering down the the basement, where the TV with the DVD player resides and doing various workouts. It only takes doing a routine 2-3 times before I notice that I can do it better or move onto to the more challenging version of whatever they’re doing.
It’s easy to fit an extra 10 minutes in and still maintain my established walking routine.
I previously thought ten minutes would do nothing…but it does…especially if we are consistent with it. Thanks for sharing Rose.