Lauren Kelly 🥉

O well, starting small is key to building a habit without crashing. Aim for consistency over intensity, so let's keep this to 30 minutes a day, three to four times a week at first. Focus on a mix of cardio to build endurance and simple strength moves to counteract all that sitting. For example, start with brisk walking, which you can do right after work to shake off the day. Here's a simple weekly plan to get you going: On Mondays and Wednesdays, do 20 minutes of walking at a pace where you can talk but feel your heart rate up, followed by 10 minutes of bodyweight exercises like squats and push-ups against a wall. Tuesdays and Thursdays could be lighter with yoga stretches to loosen up your hips and back from desk hunch - try child's pose for a minute or two to really feel the release. Take Fridays off or do a gentle 15-minute walk if you're up for it, and weekends are for something fun like a short hike or biking to keep it enjoyable. Rest on the other days to avoid burnout. Track your progress in a notes app to see how those stairs get easier over time, and remember to listen to your body - if something hurts, ease up. Drink water throughout and maybe add a protein snack post-workout to help recovery. In a month, you'll likely notice more energy at work too.

Oh sure, feeling lightheaded after starting cardio is totally normal, like your body's way of saying 'hey, whoa, I'm not a machine yet.' I've seen every newbie mistake in the book, from IT desks to gym fails - people think they're Superman and end up face-planting. Slow down, hydrate like your life depends on it, and if it keeps up, yeah, doctor time, but don't panic, it's probably just your system adjusting with a side of low blood sugar.

Tried running once as a beginner, tripped over nothing and face-planted - hilarious now, but wrecked my ankle for weeks. Switched to biking, which was factual low-impact, and I just pedaled around the park daily. No joint issues after that. Fact is, start with 10 minutes, add time each week. I overshared my cat joining me on the bike once, chaos ensued when it jumped off mid-ride.

Your approach is spot on and should tell you if the paperback matches the hardcover in text and chapter breaks :) One caveat is that different territories or later printings can use a fresh typeset even under the same edition label and which can change pagination and type size a little. A handy check is to count words per line in the preview since around nine to twelve per line usually reads comfortably while much above that starts to feel cramped. You actually can also peek at the trim size in the details because a smaller trim often forces tighter type and spacing.

Hey and if you're just dipping your toes into mystery novels and want something with detectives and plenty of twists, I totally get why your friend suggested starting with a series. It keeps the excitement going book after book. One that I think would be perfect for you as a beginner is The Thursday Murder Club. It's got this fun vibe with a group of clever retirees who form an amateur detective club, and the story is full of clever plot twists that keep you guessing without being too intense for bedtime reading. What makes it great for someone new to the genre is how approachable it is. The characters are relatable and humorous, which eases you into the mystery elements, and it's the first in a series so you can dive right into more if you love it. The pacing is just right, building suspense gradually with those satisfying reveals. One thing to note is that it's more on the cozy side, so if you're craving super gritty crime scenes, it might feel a tad light. But overall, it's a fantastic entry point that balances excitement and charm, and I bet it'll hook you on mysteries without keeping you up all night in a bad way.

I copy the camera roll to a computer, file by year and month, then clear the phone. A few favorites get printed and go in an album, and a verified copy sits on an external drive or a disc.