2020 ~ The Year WITHOUT 'Normals'

2020 has been quite the year, hasn't it? The holidays of 2019 and New Year's Eve, 2019/New Year's Day, 2020 seems like a lifetime ago. I guess, in some ways it is!

First and foremost in our minds has been the pandemic. The corona virus was all consuming to most of us around the world leading to massive lock-downs and new buzz words such a s 'social distancing', Zoom meetings, and distance learning, not to mention the ever popular 'PPE' (personal protective equipment) and N95's. 'Working from home' became a reality for many of us and many of us found that the grass is not always greener when being 'stuck' working there ~ especially when you didn't even have a chance to 'plan' for it. Essential personnel/front-line workers came dressed in many colors of medical scrubs accessorized by face shields, layers of masks, gloves, shoe covers and surgical gowns. Many of our other 'essential workers' were that of the 'blue collar type' ~ they became the 'glue' that kept our country intact and probably kept whatever economy we may have still had left from falling completely never to be found again. More recently, there has been the unrest between citizens and law enforcement. I shutter to think what else could happen with the 6 months of 2020 that are left. How about YOU? What has happened in YOUR little piece of the world that made everything that has happened since January that much more upsetting/unbearable (as if everything that I quickly outlined above wasn't enough)? (I actually heard someone on TV say: 'If you learn to time travel' you should never pick 2020 to travel to ~ just skip it!).

For me and my family, 2020 hasn't been all that kind. At the end of 2018, Mike got down on one knee and asked my DD to be his bride. The excitement of planning a wedding, buying 'the magic dress', getting the bridesmaids dresses, tuxedos for the guys, arranging for the venue, etc all came crashing down when the first thing that had to be 'postponed' (still has not been rescheduled) was DD's Bridal Shower. If you want to read a little recap on what happened with 'The Wedding', please visit my previous blogs:
COVID19 #Coronavirus #UpcomingWedding #WeWon'tGiveUp!!! (Written 3/14/20) here is the link:
www.sparkpeople.
com/mypage_public_journal_
individual.asp?blog_id=6660137
***AND*** #WeDidn'tGiveUp!!! (Written 3 months later on 6/14/20), here is the link to that one: www.sparkpeople.
com/mypage.asp?id=HICIM705

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If you have continued reading - thank you, but I'm sure you are wondering what all of this has to do with a healthy lifestyle...?????

*****~~~Here it is: SPARKPEOPLE = CONSISTENCY (or 'NORMALCY')~~~*****

I've been a member of SparkPeople since August/September 2008, that is almost 12 years! In 2010, I found the 5% Challenges and became a member of the Firecracker Team. I've participated in good challenges (yeah - I lost weight) /bad challenges (oops - I gained weight) /every-type of challenge in-between (yup! - I've had to start 'over again' many, many times). I've been an active member and/or leader of the 5% Challenges for MOST rounds since I began participating in them. I have met many 'virtual friends' (and a few of those I have met in person) that I've been able to talk to about almost anything/everything and I have received support, virtual hugs and a shoulder to cry on when I've needed it.

Our NEXT Seasonal Challenge is the 2020 Summer 5% Challenge, although we didn't have a start date, we are hoping to begin on Saturday, 7/4/20. That is less than 20 days from today (6/15/20). Here is your invitation (copied from Lynn/KALISWALKER, one of our Overall Challenge Community Leaders).

'This is your invitation! Are you looking for a way to get fit, lose weight, and have fun along the way? Check out the 2020 Summer 5% Challenge! Team members will work towards losing 5% of their starting weight in 8 weeks by participating in team challenges that focus on exercise & healthy lifestyle habits. Members in maintenance are also welcome. Let’s have fun, make new friends and get in shape!'

Follow this link to get started right away!
www.sparkpeople.
com/myspark/groups_individ
ual.asp?gid=71692

Just to give you a little more information, you will go to the link (above) and join the COMMUNITY Team. This Community (made up of several hundred SparkPeople) will be divided into SparkTeams that will compete against one another during the 8 weeks that we do this Challenge together. Before you do anything, please pull out your calendar and add your check the dates of the 5% Challenge: 7/4/20 - 8/28/20. You have the best chance of being successful if you SCHEDULE the 5% Challenge and make sure that you CHECK-IN REGULARLY. Make the Seasonal 5% Challenges part of ***YOUR NORMAL*** ~ Hope to see you there!!!!!

Please Note: If we do start on 7/4/20 ... here is how I add the Challenge to MY calendar:
Start Date/Week #1: 7/4/20 - 7/10/20
Week #2: 7/11/20 - 7/17/20
Week #3: 7/18/20 - 7/24/20
Week #4: 7/25/20 - 7/31/20
Week #5: 8/01/20 - 8/07/20
Week #6: 8/08/20 - 8/14/20
Week #7: 8/15/20 - 8/21/20
Week #8: 8/22/20 - 8/28/20 - End of 2020 Summer 5% Challenge
Final Weigh In: 8/29/20