Testing…

It’s been a hot minute since I’ve blogged. I tried my own website, but, well…life.

It looks like March, 2020 was my last post here.

I’m just stretching my very stagnant writing muscles. Let’s see what happens 😊

Till next time…

Barb AKA Vintagechyck

Things to Keep You Busy (and Healthy)

As I work on getting my website up and running in the midst of all this “social distancing,” I find that to keep my mind active I need to do the same for my body.

I won’t lie, I have never been the athlete. In fact, I took all the easy stuff in gym class and shamelessly used my mild scoliosis as an excuse to get out of anything strenuous. Who would have thought, that in my 6th decade, I would discover that regular working out actually feels pretty darn good! (I think that math is correct…I’ll be 57 in 2 weeks 🤔)

Here’s a short list of free You Tube workouts that anyone, any age, any fitness level, can do.

Leslie Sansone’s Walk at Home

Robin Long’s The Balanced Life

BeFit has lots of great stuff, I like the Jane Fonda workouts

And, in other workout news, FAITHFUL FITNESS IS REVAMPING! *


You can now purchase the entire Faithful Fitness course for a ONE TIME price of $99, or 2 payments of $52. IF you are already a member, you will get special pricing.

Breaking it down, it’s about about $2 per 15-45 minute workout. You will have life time access to the complete library of over 50 workouts including the Starter plan, 21 Days of Fitness and more. It’s a great value at a time when we all need a little exercise in a less populated space. Access anytime, anywhere.

I hope you take advantage of these and many other opportunities while we’re in this surreal situation.

Stay strong in Soirit, Mind and Body,
Blessings,
Barb, aka, VintageChyck 💛🌻

 *Partner link 😉

Quarantined

Well, this is certainly something I’d never thought would happen!

RetroMan and I ventured out yesterday morning for a few essentials. We didn’t get any toilet paper, or rice, but everything else was there. I picked up and PUT BACK a few things, fighting hard the urge to “have it just in case.”

I am usually laid back. Yes, I can get whipped up over something, but I’m not a panic-mode person. I was hardly ruffled at Y2K, and virus outbreaks don’t send me running for vaccines or supplies, except for tissues and tylenol (both if which we have). This is so crazy different.

So, I wanted to leave you with a few verse and a link to a great blog post by Sara, who runs Faithful Finish Lines

God is Holy
Indeed, there is no one holy like the Lord, indeed, there is no one besides you, there is no rock like our God. – 1 Samuel 2:2 ISV

He cares
Throw all your worry on him, because he cares for you. – 1 Peter 5:7 ISV

Seek Him now…
He said, “The time is now! The kingdom of God is near! Repent, and keep believing the gospel!” – Mark 1:15

Stay safe! Stay strong!
Be blessed,
Barb, aka, VintageChyck 💛🌻



Great Weight Watchers Tool Kit

My never-ending health and wellness journey is taking a more “traditional” turn these days.

🌸 I have followed most non-conformist plans: Weigh Down, Thin Within, etc. Always gained back.

🌸 I have followed restrictive plans: Atkins, LCHF, Trim Healthy Mama, Paleo. Always gained back.

🌸 I tried fads: Fiber Trim, Plexus, intermittent fasting, lemon cleanses, smoothies. Always gained back.

Truth be told, I did not change my mindset. Oh, maybe for a little while. Not for good.

Now is the time. Mindset changing. And the first thing I need to reset is the fact that I must count calories.

*mike drop*

Yes, I can workout like a fiend, be oh so self-righteous about water, buy all the kale, but in the end if I eat too much, I am eating TOO MUCH!!!

This will take lots of prayer and persistence. This time, I am going to take the plunge and do what I haven’t done since the early 1990’s. I’m going to follow Weight Watchers.

I gave up on WW way back when because it was super frustrating to lose so slow when everyone else (especially those men in the group) were dropping like crazy. Either my fluffiness likes to hang around a while, or I’m doing something wrong.

It’s always the same thing: I eat too much. I am a HUGE emotional eater. I need to reprogram my heart and mind towards food, and for part of that I’m going to jump into WW.

I will keep up with the great, short workouts available at Faithful Fitness. Kristen is so encouraging as she leads the 15-30 minute sessions, always starting with Scripture. Also kerping up with my own push up routine and weekend walking.

For the heart, I’ll be joining back in with Faithful Finish Lines as they unwrap their brand new program in September! I am super excited about it. Sara and Becky have been busy working hard to make the new program the best yet. You can join their free Facebook group for updates and encouragement.

Here’s a link to the Faithful Finish Lines course Victory Over Emotional Eating. I am going to go back through this to get prepped.

And, here’s Sara’s latest tool kit, specifically for Weight Watchers. There are 14 resources to print up or read on your device, recipes, etc.

I am putting together a freebie that will be available the end of June. A 30 Day Push Up Challenge!! More on that soon.

Till next time, be blessed

Barb 🌻

Empathy

I’m sharing a link to something I posted a while back (2015, I believe) never thinking that there would be a Mother’s Day in which I did not have one of my children here on this earth. I had actually forgotten about it until a friend asked me for the link. I’m glad that I still had it since I don’t have my author website up, and I’ve lost a few blog posts.

When I wrote this, it was all about me missing my own mom. I thought that would be the worst grieving I would ever do, short of my hubby if that time ever came.

Nope. So wrong.

So I share it again, not to elicit anything for myself, but to nudge myself and you to open your eyes to the people around you. As it’s said, you never know what kind of day that person is having. You don’t know if they’ve just lost their job, a beloved family member, are in a bad relationship, etc. You just do not know.

It costs nothing to be kind. To reach out. To pray.

“For whatever you do to the least of them, you do unto Me.” Matthew 25:31-46

Mother’s Day Blog Post, 2015

Take Care of Each Other

Blessings,

Barb, aka, Vintagechyck

To Kindle or Not to Kindle…

My Kindle Fire died a while ago.

However, I have 1,098,736,450 in my Kindle account, so…it stands to reason that I “need” a new one, right? I have the Kindle app on my phone and laptop, but, I really, REALLY liked having the device with me. It’s so much easier to read than my phone, and easier than carting the laptop around.

Which is a fairly hot topic. Just mentioning this in front of my Apple-loyal son brings the iPad vs. Kindle conversation to new heights.

I’m undecided at the moment…I did like the Fire, and the price on that is incredible. But, that Oasis! It’s bigger AND waterproof! I admit that I almost dropped my Fire into the tub a time or three. The Paperwhite is waterproof, too, though.

What do you think? Do you use an e-reader? Should I let my son get me an iPad?

Ah…such a dilemna <— yes, that is the proper spelling

Till next time, be blessed

Barb, AKA, Vintagechyck

Monday Musings

Hello all! (however many you are 😉 )

I’ve been using 2 different tools in the morning for my devotion time. One, which I’ve been using since February, is a daily Scripture writing plan. I love, love, LOVE the ones free from The Holy Mess. Sara has many that focus on a particular topic through the month, be it Strength in the Storms of Life, or her latest, Spiritual Warfare. These have kept me going when I couldn’t really think about anything else the last few months. I knew I would be IN the Word, even of all I did was look up the verse and write it out. Here’s one about calming anxiety.

The other is New Morning Mercies by Dr. Paul David Tripp. I had gotten this a while back at our Community Bible Study leadership conference, and had moved to another. I was reminded of this during one of my Grief Share sessions, as Dr Tripp is in the videos for the session. What a joy to pick this great devotional book back up!

In discussing what great news the crucifixion of Jesus is, we’re directed to Mark 10:35-45. Here, the Sons of Zebedee come to Jesus with a request. I’ve read this portion many times, but today it hit me differently. I saw immediately that James and John come to Jesus with their own agenda and ask for what they desire. Not “thy will be done, Lord.” Oh, no!!! They aren’t referred to as “Sons of Thunder” for nothing! How very impertinent of them!

Oops. That is so totally me. How often do I just blab a whole big, long list of “stuff,” then, as an aside, toss in a few worshipful words and a quick, “in Your name.” *insert blazing, embarrassed face*

Thankfully, God is a God of great mercy and unfathomable patience. When I seek Him with my whole, repentant heart, I find Him, a forgiving and loving Father. I can bow my head, twist my big toe into the ground and mumble, “I’m sorry,” and he gently lifts my head, wipes my tears and says, “Welcome back, Child.”

That, my friends, is wonderful.

Till next time, be blessed!
Barb, a.k.a. VintageChyck

Disclaimer: There are a few affiliate links sprinkled through my posts. If you enjoy my blog, I appreciate you clicking through. Thanks for supporting me!

Free 5 Day Fitness Challenge

As promised, the other day I told you about this great fitness program I’m doing. I also told you that deets were coming for you to join for a crazy low price.

Well…you can join the 5 day challengefor FREE!!!!!

Yes!! FREE! Starting April 1, join in for five days of great workouts, devotions and fun! Instructor Kristen Ekess has created terrific workouts for Faithful Finish Lines under the banner of Faithful Fitness.

I just completed the kickboxing, and, wow!! Talk about a #sweatieselfie

This program is great, easy to access and you don’t need anything but a desire to be fit in both spirit and body! How great is that?

Don’t miss out! Join in today and get ready to jumpstart your exercise routine!

Blessings and Get fit!

Barb 🌻 aka Vintagechyck

Back Into Routine

Lord, may I be more desirous of INNER transformation as I work on the outer.

I’m so excited about this wonderful new workout program that I am part of. It’s a preview, and I’ll be sharing more about how you can join for a super minimal amount soon. Above is the verse the coach discussed during a killer ab workout!

And that was my prayer, too. That more than flatter abs (hey, I’m almost 56, had 5 kids and life) I would desire the changes that Jesus wants to transform my heart more to His.

It’s hard! I want to rant about injustices, especially since October. I want to comfort myself with a big, gooey whatever and mindless television. I want to sleep till the very last moment and forego the workout and Bible time.

But…I can’t. It’s worth more to wake up earlier, sit in the quiet with my Savior, read His Word, listen to some good Bible teachers and praise music. Get that workout done or walk early Saturday mornings with good friends. Be present, and be aware of what He wants and have a heart willing to obey.

Then, I can have a crispy apple or some wonderful berries, and enjoy my hubby’s company while some mindless television drones in the background.

Blessings,

Barb, aka, Vintagechyck