Join me by pulling up a chair and pouring yourself a cup of coffee. As always, though, I’m sticking to water since I don’t care for coffee or tea. Let’s take a break and try to talk about more than just fitness-related topics. Sound like a plan? I’ll kick us off…

 

If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that…..

April was another month of solid, consistent training. Rather than anything over the top, I stayed focused on the fundamentals: walking and cycling for cardio conditioning, paired with traditional lifting and core Pilates for strength.

In addition to my structured gym time, I logged over 18 hours of functional training outside. Working in the flower gardens and yard has been a great way to stay active while soaking up the fresh air and sunshine! Some of the fruits of my labor can be seen in the picture above.

 

If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that….. Yesterday, I picked up a fun new water bottle (after the top picture of the Owala was taken). While my stainless Owala keeps water much colder—making it perfect for road trips in the heat—it holds only 24 ounces and is noticeably heavier. My new bottle holds a full 32 ounces, but what I love most are the helpful time markings that keep me on track with my hydration goals throughout the day.

 

If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that…..

I recently discovered that I’m part of a microgeneration known as Generation Jones, which includes those born between 1954 and 1965. As a subset of the Baby Boomers, we are often described as a sandwich generation—feeling a bit too young to identify with the traditional Boomers, yet too old to truly be Gen X.

The description of this group fits me perfectly, especially the emphasis on being practical and pragmatic. We grew up blending the idealistic optimism of the 1960s with the harsh economic realities and stagflation of the 1970s. Because we entered a much tougher job market, we tend to be less idealistic and, at times, more cynical than the older Boomers. We were also the early adopters of technology; while we weren’t “digital natives,” we were the ones who had to learn and master it as adults. It’s been fascinating to find a label that so accurately captures that specific balance of lived experience!

So, if I ever post something that makes me sound like the seasoned individual that I am, just remember: technically, the rules of Generation Jones apply. You aren’t allowed to hit me with an “OK, Boomer.” 😉

 

If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that….. Almost two years ago, I brought home a healthy snake plant from my mom’s house. A client immediately gave me care instructions, and I trusted him blindly: water it every other week or even less. Big mistake! The leaves eventually went limp, forcing me to switch to a weekly watering schedule. This week, that same client admitted that almost all of his own houseplants died from underwatering. Lesson learned: always research plant care when adopting a new houseplant, and maybe don’t take plant care tips from a serial plant killer!

 

If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that….. I traded in my gas-powered string trimmer for a cordless model, and it’s a total game-changer. Turns out, yard work is much more enjoyable when I’m not being manhandled by an unruly machine. I like a good workout, but wrestling with the old one was getting ridiculous. The new one is shorter, lighter, and for the first time, I’m the one in complete control!

 

  • Questions:
  • • During which generation were you born? ~ Gen Jones, a subset of the Baby Boomers
  • • Do you track your hydration or just go by how you feel? ~ Based on just one day of officially tracking, it seems like I was doing pretty well when I was winging it.
  • • If we were having coffee, what would you tell me?

 

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Today I’m joining Deborah at Confessions Of A Mother Runner and Coco at Running With Perseverance for their monthly Ultimate Coffee Date linkup which goes live the first Friday of every month.  Be sure to stop by their blogs for a cup of coffee and to say hello; and while you’re there, be sure to check out some of the other bloggers who are participating in the linkup.