Month: January 2024

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Photo: @TracyTutor

Originally posted at: Tracy Tutor’s Cream Tortoise Shell Sunglasses

Do you find it easier in retirement to sit back, not ruffle any feathers, be ok with the status quo? This can be in your work, your relationships or in the day-to-day energy needed for any accomplishment. To complete a goal, we need courage when obstacles stand in the way, and guts to leave the comfort zone.

At age 68 I wrote a book about happiness. It came together easily and reflected what I really felt in my heart. At first, I found the book generated interest without really working at it. People are really looking for “everyday happiness.” This type of happiness is not the mountaintop type that comes on your wedding day or the day you gave birth to a healthy baby.

“Everyday happiness” comes from finding the joy and peace in the everyday regular life stuff. As soon as it was published, I was asked to have a book signing, then received an invitation to join a pop-up sale, and someone forwarded my information to a popular podcaster who had me on her show to talk about the book.

Success Is Not Guaranteed

Not only that, but the book – my book! – was also carried in two local bookstores as well as two huge on-line bookstores. Then everything stopped. For whatever reason it came grinding to a screeching halt. One local bookstore in my city asked me to pick up the inventory, as the book was not selling. Other opportunities weren’t falling at my feet like at the beginning.

Now I could see that promotional work and marketing were needed to let my target audience know the book existed. I admit that I have a very negative reaction to getting out of my comfort zone to do marketing! Now, more than before, I need guts to move forward. Stopping, letting the status quo take over, and sitting back will not let people know my happiness book is available.

These 5 Simple Steps Will Help

Can you relate to this when thinking of one of your goals or dreams? What you need is guts. In this context, the word guts means courage or bravery to step outside our comfort zone to accomplish something.

Your situation may be much more severe than marketing a book. Maybe you need to apply for work at age 68, or you are making decisions on moving from your home, or finding your way after your spouse has passed away. Where do we find this type of push (the guts needed to move ahead)?

Monitor Your Inner Dialogue

My inner dialogue scares me sometimes. I can scare myself with negative thoughts about marketing. Could the book be too small or too big, or not complicated enough, or overpriced. Wait, could it be underpriced? Does the cover attract interest? Does the topic encourage? Is it too simple? This type of thinking paralyzes and keeps me in the comfort of my home, basically not doing anything at all.

Are you experiencing a loop of questions, spinning your head in circles like I am? Stop the thoughts. One way to do this is to write the thought down on paper. Then, in a column next to it, write the exact opposite.

For instance, “Is my book too simple?” The opposite would be, “My book is perfect for someone who needs a reminder of simple steps to take.” Remember, the scary thought and the opposite could both be true! When the scary one surfaces, try to counter it with the positive, gutsier one. Why should we give those scary thoughts all the attention?

Imagine What Moving Forward Would Look Like

What action could you take in the situation you are avoiding? Remember to take baby steps. In my case, I’m not going to 5 bookstores in a day and asking the owners to look it over. That thought makes me want to pull the covers over my head!

I will start with one bookstore! I try to imagine myself with confidence, discussing my book with a bookstore owner. It really pays to practice imagining yourself being gutsy in the comfort of your recliner before you begin. Picture yourself completing a baby step with confidence, strength, or courage!

Tell a Friend the Baby Step You’ll Try and Add a Deadline to It

If someone knows I’m struggling with my courage, and I let them know my deadline to do the scary thing, it’s enough to propel me forward. My friend and I have done this on many levels. Right now, she is needing the guts to open her storeroom closet and clean out a couple of bags in there. Procrastination had taken over.

We discussed how she could start, put a deadline on completing one bag, and then checked in with each other around that deadline. She was happy to report that she conquered this first step and is now on to the second bag that needs her attention. Accountability is helpful to give that first nudge to action.

“Behind every gutsy superstar in life are the small steps of their journey, their quiet perseverance, their commitment to practice, and their ultimate belief that they are meant to be successful.”

—Robyn Benincasa

Does Failure Mean You’re a Failure?

Well, it can sure feel that way when you don’t take action to step outside the comfort of your recliner to do it. Nagging failure thoughts keep you stuck. If you fail to begin, try another start at it. It’s helpful to break down the goal into something more manageable. Get support from a friend or spouse. Set a time (or a timer) and try again.

Inaction can breed more inaction. Small manageable progress will encourage you to take one more step. Keep believing in yourself. You can move forward in 2024 to accomplish a goal, no matter how small the steps are.

Give Yourself Some Straight Talk

What I mean here is go ahead and admit the fear, the inaction, and the procrastination. After admitting it, talk to yourself. Ask yourself, is it really that bad? Challenge your reason for why you haven’t moved forward toward your goal. Remind yourself of why you want to accomplish the goal. Think about the outcome you are shooting for.

It’s ok to be afraid of something that doesn’t come naturally. Tell yourself the truth. This kind of talk helps me diminish inaction and fear, then find the guts to move forward to accomplish it.

Try these simple steps to gather guts to progress toward your 2024 goal.

(PS. I approached a small local bookstore about carrying my book. The owner said yes!)

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Can you share what you’re struggling with right now that requires guts to accomplish? What has helped you get off the recliner and take a baby step toward it? Can you add something to my thoughts to help others find the guts to move forward?

When I was a kid, watching old family slides was an event. Dad would drag out the slide projector, a screen would be erected and popcorn would be made. Every new slide would bring a shared memory, a laugh and an occasional snide remark between siblings. Inevitably, a slide would get stuck and the lights would go on. Dad would try to unjam the slide while the crowd moaned about why it was taking so long.

Several years ago, I digitized my parents’ and grandparents’ slides. It was like finding buried treasure, discovering photos I had never seen.

The process for converting your family slides into digital copies to be shared may seem daunting. It’s not. It’s fun, and you’ll learn a few skills in the process.

Step 1: Get Organized

Sort through your slides and organize them in chronological order. My parents were highly organized, so my job was relatively easy. Keeping them in their original carousels, slide trays or boxes is ideal, but recycled Handi-Wrap or Reynolds Wrap boxes are a good fit for slides.

Label them the way you will want them labeled as digital files. The photo scanning service will create digital folders and name them based on the information you provide them. It will be much easier later on if you take the time to organize your slides.

Step 2: Send Them to a Photo Scanning Service

Although you can certainly buy a slide scanner, having a high-quality photo scanning service do the work is easier and produces a much better result. I have used ScanCafe in the past, but now highly recommend DigMyPics.com.

They blow each slide with compressed air to remove surface dust prior to scanning, use High Dynamic Range (HDR) exposure merging to select the best exposure, use scratch and blemish removal technology, and incorporate AI software to restore many images to their correct color. (Learn more.)

All of their scans are high resolution, producing high-quality JPEG files. If you desire, you can also receive TIFF files, or both. For most needs, JPEG files are fine. However, if you plan to edit the digital images in a photo program like Adobe Photoshop, then consider TIFF your go-to. The result is well worth the $0.49 per slide cost ($1.09 for non-standard slides).

Are you a bit nervous about sending your keepsakes across the country? DigMyPics.com makes the process easy, provides periodic email updates, and enables you to view images online as your slides are scanned. After the quality review process, you will receive a link to review your slides and may delete up to 20% of the slides you don’t want and just pay for the ones you do. That blurry, dark photo of the Wisconsin Dells… gone.

They will provide you with either a CD or DVD, FlashDrive, and/or customer-provided new external hard drive. If you want a CD or DVD, make sure you also get the files stored on a FlashDrive or external hard drive so that you can share them with others. You will also have an opportunity to download them directly to your computer.

Step 3: Enjoy the Show, Learn and Share

Now for the fun part – enjoying the photos of days gone by! To share these gems with family and friends, you can certainly send a bunch of emails or post on social media, but there’s a savvier way and you’ll rewire your brain in the process as you learn something new.

Introducing… photo sharing websites. There are dozens of quality photo sharing websites that make the upload and display of your new digital photos loads of fun. You can organize your photos, include them in slide shows, set them to music, and even create your own photo website.

I highly recommend SmugMug. It doesn’t offer a free option, but it’s a classic you get what you pay for. The basic subscription is $10.00 per month (if you pay annually) and it’s a bargain given the available templates, customization, unlimited storage and flexibility. They offer a free 14-day trial so you can try it out before committing. I love it! If this is all new to you, no worries, there’s SmugMug School that offers video tutorials and tips.

Once you’ve set up your home page on SmugMug, you can email a website link to family and friends to share your photos (it will be yourname.smugmug.com) or share on social media. If desired, you can set your page or a specific gallery to private by establishing a password for those who visit your site. People who visit your site may download the photos and, if desired, order prints.

Having your own custom site is a great way to share your digitized slides, as well as other photos and short videos you want to display.

So, dig out those boxes of slides and get started. There are memories to be captured and cherished in the years to come.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

How many old slides do you have? Have you started the process of digitizing them yet? Did any old memories come to mind that you had forgotten but were captured on slides?

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Photo + ID: @tamrajudge

Originally posted at: Tamra Judge’s Black Strapless Cutout Jumpsuit

You have probably heard of metabolic syndrome, the precursor to
Type 2 diabetes. But do you know how doctors define that?

If anyone in your family has suffered from Type 2 diabetes, then
you are more likely to be at risk. But there are also three blood tests and two
body measurements on which doctors base their diagnosis.

Anyone who is positive for three or more of these signs is
considered to have metabolic syndrome, and to be at risk for Type 2 diabetes.

Luckily, you can do the body measurements yourself.

Blood Pressure

Your blood pressure is taken when you go to your doctor’s office,
so you might already know the numbers. If you are taking blood pressure
medicine, you are certainly aware of your blood pressure. Being on blood
pressure medication automatically counts as one sign of metabolic syndrome.

If you want to take your own blood pressure, there are two types
of instruments you can buy at a drug store. One is similar to the tool your
doctor’s office uses. The other one is automatic – put the cuff on, push a
button, and the machine does the rest.

Whichever tool you choose, if your blood pressure is higher than
130 over 85 mmHg, you have high blood pressure.

Measuring Tape Test

Measure your waist is the second test. For women, if your waist is
larger than 35 inches, it is a sign of enough abdominal fat (belly fat) which
is one sign of metabolic syndrome. (You can often see the problem just by
standing sideways in front of a mirror and checking your waist.)

The blood tests will usually be included in any testing your
doctor performs.

Cholesterol

High bad cholesterol is not a nice thing to have, but the test
that doctors are interested in for metabolic syndrome is HDL cholesterol – the
“good” cholesterol. They also want to know if you are taking cholesterol
medicine.

Taking cholesterol medicine automatically counts as a sign of
possible metabolic syndrome. If you aren’t taking any cholesterol medicine, but
your HDL cholesterol is lower than 50 mg/dL, this is another sign of metabolic
syndrome.

Triglycerides

If you are on cholesterol medication it counts the same as if you
had high triglycerides. Otherwise, if your triglyceride level is higher than
150 mg/dL, it counts against you in the list of signs of metabolic disease.

Blood Sugar

Blood sugar testing should always be done when you have fasted. Do
not eat for 8 hours before the test. A fasting blood sugar above 100 mg/dL says
you may be suffering from some insulin resistance right now. (Another sign can
be increased thirst.)

Now What?

If you have one or two of those signs, it is time to consider
getting on a better health program, including a diet rich in vegetables and
fruits, anti-stress measures, and exercise of some sort. If you have any three
of those signs, then you have metabolic syndrome.

Start a For-Life Diet

Those signs are usually associated with weight gain and obesity,
so losing weight is obviously one thing to help reverse the signs. There are
other things you can do to help also, whether or not you have a weight problem.
And the time to start is right now.

If you have tried multiple diets only to regain your weight (and
even a bit more) soon after, that is because diets that cause fast weight loss
tend to re-set your fat thermostat.

Your body knows it is starving and will do everything it can to
keep that from happening. It adjusts certain pathways to save and store
calories as much as possible, and, bingo, you are set up for increased weight
gain.

You need to start a diet that you don’t stop, such as the
Mediterranean diet or the Keto diet, and make sure your version is high in
veggies and fruits. Even modifying the American diet to cut out fried foods and
sugar and add in a lot more vegetables can be helpful.

Move More

You also need exercise. Aerobic exercise can reduce your appetite.
Exercise can also re-set your fat thermostat. Your body changes from storing
calories to using calories, and a different set of processes are needed to do
that.

One easy exercise is walking. It is even easier if you have friends or neighbors who are interested in starting a gentle exercise program too.

If you pair up with an accountability partner, you can keep each
other dedicated and motivated. Right now, when everyone is thinking about their
January resolutions, is a great time to recruit others.

If walking is a problem, water aerobics, yoga, and chair yoga are
other options. The most important part is to become more active.

Reduce Stress

Stress can also play a part in exacerbating metabolic syndrome –
it is not helpful for blood pressure and can contribute to the munchies and
ruin your diet plan. Exercise often helps with stress, but if you need more
help, meditation or some alone time in a quiet room with soothing music can help
take the edge off.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

What is your diet plan? Has anyone in your family been diagnosed
with Type 2 diabetes? Do you have a physical exam with a blood test every year?
Do you have any of the 5 signs of diabetes? Please share with our community.