Anele, use both a 5 pound & 10 pound weight to start out with, and just be mindful of any strain or difficulty. If you can only do a few reps with the 10, that's okay. The strength & endurance will come. Better to focus on technique at first anyway. 5 pounds will quickly become way too light very soon, whereas you can use a 10 pounder for quite a long time while you are mastering different moves. I vary between 18 to 25, just moved to a 35 for the first time, went on vacation & am back down to the lower weights (darn!). But I still use a 12 pound bell for some exercises I don't have the flexibility for, like windmills. Turkish get ups are excellent! It uses all your muscle groups and will get your heart rate up, up, up. I hate the TGU, but it is a great exercise! My instructor can do it with a 54 pound bell or two 25 pound bells. Amazing to see. I struggle mightily with an 18 pound bell. My kbell group is on our own now that our instructor is on vacation. We tried some kbell workouts from Lauren Brooks' book, "Kettlebells for Women,", and were really impressed. Short but thorough workouts. We were cooked after 20 minutes. Kettlebells for Women by Lauren Brooks Her beginner videos look very good too, except I see she does an overhead swing. Madame Kettlebells says absolutely do not do that -- too prone to shoulder injury. Here is a link that might be useful: technique demonstrations by Lauren Brooks This post was edited by awm03 on Tue, Jul 1, 14 at 18:36

I'm all tuckered out! I must be in worse shape than I thought! Chocolate was ... actually, is, as part of it sitting on plate beside keyboard ... a nice treat. o j

Once upon a time, three moves ago, I had gotten some flax seed at the aforementioned health food store and intended to grind it myself. Never got around to it. Not sure what happened to it, maybe on one of my unpacking adventures I will run across it. That was also back in the day when I could get "the good stuff" in the refrigerator section of the local health food store within walking distance. Guess I'll have to seek out a source in some nearby big cities now. I am getting to the point where I have to go into these cities routinely anyway, my own town is now so limited as to what kinds of shopping is available. We once had two great health food stores but they both closed down, long before covid. I actually like all the health foods and don't much care for the meats and fried stuff. The exception would be baked goods . . . and I just have to break the sweets habit, I have been "self medicating" with sweets and alcohol a lot lately. I gained a "covid 10 lbs" and I was already struggling to lose 10, so I am at least 20 lbs. overweight. I have to start to take that seriously. I was already just about to have to buy all new clothes . . . I love all vegetables and fresh fruits too, and even things like tofu and beans and whole grains. Last night I made chili with rice and barley and red and black beans. Hubs gave it a "meh" but for me it was back to how I used to eat . . . We already went low salt with our diet, and I have at one point in my life eaten much better heart health wise. My exercise routine has suffered too, need to step that up. Gonna try that first, then see what happens. Not ruling out statins for the rest of my life, just going to try some other things first.

Oh my, @salonva I completely forgot to respond to you when I had to rewrite my post that I lost! I am so glad you are joining us! As far as I am concerned there are no tangents and nothing is off topic.. everything affects our health in one way or another so share whatever is on your mind! And I love that your DH makes veggie snack bags the night before. It's so simple-- and really sets you up for success! If I have to stop working and go cut cucumbers and clean celery etc, it's less likely I will reach for the veggies! @pricklypearcactus congratulations on pushing through the snow and sticking with your exercise plan-- but please please be careful! Ice and bad knees aren't a great combo! So as far as Holiday and weekend eating -- I really wish we could all just enjoy a day or a celebration without having guilty feelings or regrets. I know it is something we all struggle with but one day isn't going to overturn a year of hard work. It just isn't-- unless we allow ourselves to be derailed. These are the holidays and there will be treats and snacks and rich meals and alcohol. I am no nutritionist but this is how I plan to navigate the holidays... Moderation is the key.. eat only the things I really want and love and keep the serving size in check. Often times, I want just a taste of something.. sometimes a serving. I will allow myself a serving but no heaping plates! I will continue to make soup-- it is so easy and helps keep me on track even if i end up having soup for 2 meals a day! I will not let myself get overly hungry (as I can do when I am busy)... this is a recipe for disaster for me. I will keep healthy snacks in the house and easy to prepare healthy meals. I was good about that through the summer but not so much lately. I will keep up on my fluids -- and continue to drink tea at night. I have been inconsistent but when I Do drink tea at night, I don't really want or think about food. I will go out and have cocktails with friends and family-- I won't deny myself that after a year of being locked in the house-- but I will stick to club soda as a mixer and limit my drinks. I had more holiday spirit this year than I've had the last couple of years. I plan to keep it going and I refuse to get tangled up in frustration and guilt about my eating and weight. Luckily I will be very busy over the next few weeks between work and dealing with the mountain of boxes to open and wrap ... that should help keep me in check when I am at home. And if not, I will revisit my list as needed! LOL