Tuesday, and my name is Dirt at home. Since I decided to try to force my younger daughter to change her habits and routine, which will consequently change her future, she is clearly showing her disapproval by trying to make my life hell at home.

She deliberately shows she does not want to converse with me, giving me the cold shoulder. I am now Persona Nao Grata at home at the moment. Jack the Stripper would be more popular than me now, but I do not care.

What I do care about is that she is my daughter, and, for sure, I want a pleasant, meaningful interaction between us. Most of the time, we have one.

However, I have noticed that beneath her polished, lacquered, pleasant personality, everything is okay when everything is good for her and to her agreement. But things change very quickly whenever something is not to her liking, usually at a neck-breaking speed and sometimes with violent or cruel revenge.

I want to put it down to her being an adolescent, but my gut feeling tells me it is more than that. I clearly remember, as if it were yesterday, when Yasmin was more or less three or four years old.

There was a children’s birthday party in the playground of an upper-middle-class condominium in Flamengo. It was all good until it was time to leave.

People were already leaving, and Nalva and I thought it was time to go, too. When we had collected all our belongings, cake, souvenirs, etc., and were ready to leave,

Yasmin did not want to go!

After a couple of minutes of trying to explain to her that we had to go, I picked her up in my arms, and we walked toward the lift to go down to the building’s reception area.

She suddenly began to have a tantrum while I was holding her in my arms, shouting and screaming, not wanting to leave the party. What was worse for me was that she began hitting and scratching me with all her strength, and what really upset me was that she really wanted to hurt me, scratch my face in temper and revenge; I could feel her anger.

Physically, it was not so bad, but what hurt and caught my attention was that I could feel all her rage against me; she was determined to hurt me because she had not done what she wanted.

I do not know if it was also because of the terrible twos, the stage of a child’s life between two and four, when the child is difficult, but today, I see the same contempt as at the party. I have also seen it on a few other occasions for similar reasons, but not to the same intensity as before.

Despite my financial limitations, I am like any other parent trying to educate a daughter. Life is challenging. She must be ready for what life throws at her without the added complications of being a spoilt brat, a frustrated person, only thinking about herself and that life owes her nothing.

I still believe I have done the right thing; at least, I hope so with no false pretension that I am an excellent father and that my word as a father is incontestable.

Although I do feel drained on occasion, poorly valued, not valued for what I have done all these years, without denying anything or ever lacking support for her and her mother, it is hard work and difficult to swallow.

In the past, I lived in a shed or garage to ensure my daughter could live in comfortable and safe conditions. Although this decision no longer matters, I would do it again if needed, solely for my daughter’s sake. However, at this moment, my daughter views me as a terrible father and is treating me like a piece of shit.

Despite all of this, I am relatively happy; the classes are going well, my workstation is organised, and I am getting to do my work and earn money. I have just paid the hosting company for the sites, and my self-esteem is sky-high from my daily exercise routine.

So, the day comprised of classes, housework, and contemplation.

In bed by 9.30 p.m.

Thank you very much.

Thanks for reading my blog. Check out my other posts and share your thoughts in the comments.

Richard

Photos by Richard George Photography

The post Tuesday, the 16th of May 2023: “Navigating Life as a Parent”!!! first appeared on The Long Gringo.

Monday is the beginning of the week, and things are beginning to show light, a new start.

The day began well with exercise early, a coffee on the way home, and classes the whole day, nothing new or remarkable.

I had not slept well the night before because I had noticed that Yasmin had decided to study only late on Sunday evening. All day, she had been amusing herself on her tablet and cell phone, with no voluntary responsibility to do what was correct in her studies.

I have also noticed that if I let her, she will stay home all day in the dark, without going out or feeling the need to go outdoors. Yasmin will soon be sixteen; as a father, I must try to change this situation before it is too late. She needs to realise the significance of education and have a genuine interest in learning.

Her academic future requires her to be proactive and take the initiative. She should also maintain physical fitness by being willing to walk and take care of herself with confidence and pride.

I’m concerned that my youngest daughter isn’t putting in much effort and is only doing the bare minimum.

As for my eldest daughter, she is overweight, and I believe it is due to a lack of discipline when it comes to physical exercise. However, I have noticed a change that, hopefully, she will continue and not stop.

As I have stated before, from a very young age, I would play in the street and the fields near where I lived, walking three, four, or even five kilometres daily, as time was nothing to me. If Yasmin walks five hundred metres, she is complaining.

I am trying to say that there is no room in life for laziness, especially when you are young and have your whole life ahead of you. You need to take advantage of every second, minute and hour of every day without the impoverished mentality that life owes us something.

We must go out into the world and fight for what we want like anybody else, as everybody else who wants something knows that only through sacrifice, hard work, determination, focus and discipline.

Nothing falls from the sky into our laps; we have to fight for it; there is no room in life for victims and victimisation. Victims usually end up at the back of the queue, feeling sorry for themselves whilst waiting for someone to give them an easy ride.

My father abandoned my brother and me when we were still relatively young, so there was no real father figure to give us direction in our adolescence. This is what I have been trying to do with both Yasmin and Jessica. More so, Yasmin, as Jessica is now an adult, and whatever she needs, I am near.

So, I have decided on two things Yasmin must do before her ear is pierced for her birthday in June.

When Yasmin arrived home from school at about 2 pm, I immediately told her I wanted to talk. Whenever I say this to my daughters, they automatically become apprehensive and concerned. We sat in the living room, and I explained that I was worried about her and some aspects of her life.

I told her that life is a two-way street and that I would not pay for her piercing until two conditions had been met.

• First, I only want her to use her cell phone or tablet for personal and leisure use only after seven in the evening. It could be earlier, but I thought seven pm was a reasonable hour.

• Second, she would have to enrol in a gym or fitness school at the beach and lose some weight.

I don’t think these proposals or conditions were radical or unfair; they were just what needed to be done for her to get used to looking after her own mind and body.

Her first reaction was shock, denial and aggressiveness. I know many women who believe that the best form of defence is to attack, and that is precisely what she did. Then she cried, and later that evening she returned to aggression.

Her mother sometimes has good intentions but lacks execution and focus. I have done what her mother could not do by setting limits and conditions for Yasmin’s improvement. I think I have done the right thing, but only time will tell, so let’s see what will happen.

I also do not want, in the future, to have a heavy conscience thinking about what I should have done in the past and did not, and why not. I have also concluded that life is full of small emotional earthquakes, and if there are no earthquakes, then you are dead.

Our lives are certainly not perfect, and the societies we live in are certainly not perfect, too, so we must make ripples in the water of our lives to make changes or stop bad habits recurring that we continually commit, so our lives can go ahead.

Now, I am the villain at home. I have been living with Nalva and Yasmin for almost two weeks, and I am already trying to change everything wrong. The fight is on!!! The flat is cleaner and more organised, the accounts and bills are up to date, and my daughter needs to take on more responsibility.

In bed by 10 p.m.

Thank you very much.

Thanks for reading my blog. Check out my other posts and share your thoughts in the comments.

Richard

Photos by Richard George Photography

The post Monday, the 15th of May 2023: “A Father’s Quest for his Daughter’s Improvement”!!! first appeared on The Long Gringo.

As this Sunday is the eve of Labour Day, a bank holiday, Yasmin will stay with me.

I got up early as usual and did a heavy workout until about half past seven. I then passed by the bakers for two coffees, sat outside, watched the world pass by, posted photos I had manipulated beforehand, and afterwards went to the supermarket to buy food for the next couple of days.

Yasmin woke up at about midday. I was a little disappointed in her for waking up so late, but she told me she was inspired last night and had been drawing until two in the morning. I did not ask her to go for a walk today because I wanted us both to organise our things for the move.

I told her to separate all her clothes, books, and other belongings, and that anything she did not want to take back to her mother’s we would give to someone. I get the impression that Yasmin is becoming more organised and tidier.

I do not know whether it is because of me, because I have influenced her as a girl, or because she is getting older and becoming more mature and responsible. Last week, she voluntarily organised all the kitchen cupboards with the pots and pans, cutlery, crockery, etc.; she did it very well; I was impressed!

She is beginning to value and appreciate her own space, to organise her things, her room, and her little world, and while she is doing this, she listens to music or watches videos.

At about four in the afternoon, I suggested we have a late lunch below in a Pé limpo (a clean foot, slang for a simple but clean restaurant, bar, boteqim) next to our building. Rio is full of botequims, Pé limpos, Pé sujos, clean and dirty feet; the secret is knowing which is which.

A significant cultural difference between Rio and Sao Paulo is that bars and restaurants in Sao Paulo are usually closed, with an ambience like in Europe or the United States. In contrast, in Rio, most bars and restaurants are open or extend out into the street, like a kind of alfresco dining.

I love botequim food; it is usually high-quality, incredibly delicious, and not expensive.

With Rio being so beautiful and the weather so pleasant, sitting outside at a table in front of a botequim, eating and drinking with loved ones or friends and watching the movement is priceless.

Yasmin ordered a stroganoff, which was no surprise, as it is usually exceptionally good at this botequim, while I had nothing. I wasn’t very hungry, so I just ordered a glass of wine, and we talked about life, its future changes, and challenges.

After the late lunch, we walked around the block, bought another açai, and went home. Yasmin watched a film; I watched another and was in bed by 9 p.m.

Thank you very much.

Thanks for reading my blog. Check out my other posts and share your thoughts in the comments.

Richard

Photos by Richard George Photography

The post Sunday, the 30th of April 2023: “Organising and Enjoying a Simple Sunday with My Daughter”!!! first appeared on The Long Gringo.

It is almost the end of the month, and it is very chilly and raining in the morning.

I was unable to go out early to exercise; I had to do it at home. Exercising at home is essentially the same as exercising outdoors. However, going out, walking in the fresh air, and seeing a few people early in the morning is also good for the mind.

When I get up early, at either 4 or 4:30, I sometimes feel lazy or lack enthusiasm for exercising. However, when I return after a workout, I am happy, enthusiastic, and ready to face the day ahead and all its challenges.

So, even when we don’t want to do something, even knowing it is good for us, we have to fight against ourselves to push through and overcome inertia. We must have the discipline to do something that will later yield rewards from our initial investment.

Like everything in life, we only receive what we initially put in. If we do not take action, we will not receive anything back; the law of action and return applies: if you do not take action, nothing will happen.

It is so simple and fundamental to our lives that we speak about it freely and easily, but few people understand its true value and consequences. I am fifty-seven, and only now do I really understand its real importance.

As the day had cleared up early in the morning, I forced Yasmin to go for a walk. She woke up around 10 am, and I immediately confronted her about going for a walk after breakfast. This was new to her, and she did not like the news, but she respected my decision, as she always did.

She had breakfast, changed her clothes, and walked to the end of Leme, about 4 km there and back, which I thought was a good start.

After about fifty minutes to an hour had passed since Yasmin was gone, I began to worry; Rio de Janeiro is a dangerous city.

I quickly changed my clothes, went down the street, and called her on my cellphone. She was nearby, so I met her in front of the beach. I suggested that we walk a little more, and she agreed.

I love walking with my daughter because it is a way for us to talk; she asks me questions and has doubts, and our conversations are generally enjoyable. We often hold hands, which makes her feel secure, and it’s good for us both!

We were walking in front of the Rio Copacabana Hotel, where a temporary convention centre and stadium were built from scaffolding on the beach. At first glance, we could not make out exactly what it was; people were coming and going with no queues to enter. Brazilians love queues.

We decided to join to find out that it was a complex for beach tennis with a small stadium, training courts, and a commercial area with restaurants and shops.

What caught my attention was how well the complex was planned, designed, and executed with bright colours, music, food, and a nice vibe; it was quite impressive. Many competitors were waiting to play, and many spectators and curious people like ourselves wanted to soak up the action.

This made me think about Brazil and how it is passing through one of its most difficult and serious political, economic, and social crises. If you look at the people, everybody is happy, as if everything is good.

Don’t get me wrong, it is not that I want people to suffer or to worry about their future unnecessarily, but we live in a paradox where there are super-organised events to go to and have a good time, whilst the fundamental fabric of the Brazilian society is being ripped apart and is slowly eroding away.

Has mankind not evolved beyond the Roman era, when spectacle, bread, and water were enough to control most of the population while the elite continued to enjoy life’s pleasures?

I sometimes think about this, especially in a country like Brazil; other events like the Olympics and the Fifa World Cup and their legacies that were never for the people but more for the government and the privileged.

After the event, we bought açai to take home. Yasmin had a shower and washed her hair, which is a significant event in itself. We both read a little, and I was preparing to go to bed at about 9 pm.

Thank you very much.

Thanks for reading my blog. Check out my other posts and share your thoughts in the comments.

Richard

Photos by Richard George Photography

The post Saturday, the 29th of April 2023: “The Value of Discipline and the Paradoxes of Brazilian Society”!!! first appeared on The Long Gringo.

This Sunday morning is a little chilly, with overcast clouds threatening rain. As I am broke at the moment, there isn’t much I can do.

Working out at the end of Leme is cheap. A coffee at the local baker’s is cheap. Going out for the whole day isn’t cheap.

The main outside events of the morning were getting up early, working out, having a coffee at the local baker’s, and buying some bread for Yasmin’s breakfast. When Yasmin is with me, I like to prepare a decent breakfast for her on the weekends.

As she also usually gets up late on a Sunday morning, I want to give her a good breakfast so she can have a late lunch with her mother or me.

A good example of a breakfast for her is a bed of toast toasted in the air fryer with olive oil and oregano. Then, if the salad is already prepared in the fridge, a bed of salad is on top of the toast, with lettuce, arugula, tomato, and onion, with a bit of salt, pepper, olive oil, and balsamic vinaigrette.

Then, sliced ham and mozzarella are on top of the salad, and finally, a fried egg finishes it off. It is incredibly good, and we both like it very much: simple, tasty, and filling. I enjoy doing it for her, and I think she appreciates it, too!!!

During the last two years, I have noticed a stronger sense of responsibility in her with her studies and life. I have always been willing to talk to her about anything, and she has never been afraid to ask me about anything she does not seem to understand well or about which shehas a doubt.

Our talks are clarifying and soothing for an active, inquisitive young mind hungrily seeking comprehension and knowledge.

Just this morning, we talked about friendship, school politics and transgender and gender awareness in general. I explained to her that, like many parents, I have two sides when it comes to my daughters. The first is, obviously, as a father: I love her and want her to be happy, so, in principle, I would support her in almost anything she does or wants to do.

While, as a man and an adult, I have certain principles that come from being a man and from being born in a different culture and time than hers, there are some things that, as a father, I would support her in, but that, at the same time, would disappoint me.

For example, if she told me that she was gay, I would accept her position and support her as her father in the name of happiness, but at the same time, I would be a little disappointed.

As parents, it is crucial to be sincere, frank, and transparent with our children while also being mindful not to hurt them. While they have their own choices, we, as parents, also have our own set of principles, and we should not compromise our principles or identity by accommodating our children’s actions that do not align with ourvalues, common sense, or decency.

There is a delicate balance, and crossing it can lead to even more serious consequences and hardship!

So, Sunday was another lazy day, watching some films and reading the first chapter of a new book. I bought Yasmin a takeaway for lunch from the restaurant below. I later took her back to her mother’s at about 6 pm, and everything was good.

In bed by 9 p.m.

Thank you.

Thanks for reading my blog. Check out my other posts and share your thoughts in the comments.

Richard

Photos by Richard George Photography

The post Sunday, the 16th of April 2023-6 Days to My Birthday: “A Lazy Sunday Morning and Parenting Talks”!!! first appeared on The Long Gringo.

It is Good Friday, and it is cold and rainy for Cariocas. I worked until a reasonable hour yesterday and then met up with a friend for a quick drink.

We went to a bar/restaurant near Copacabana, where we drank a bottle of Malbec and shared a portion of spicy, seasoned chicken wings with various dips. It was very pleasant, considering that I had not been out at night for almost six months. Even so, it was nothing extraordinary. The company was great, but at nearly 57, going out isn’t as important as it used to be. I hardly ever drink nowadays.

So, this was the point: waking up the next day after a night of drinking, even though it was only one bottle of wine, my body showed me I was not used to drinking anymore. I do not know if the weather had anything to do with it being cold, grey, and rainy outside; autumn was here.

As the rain was easing off, I slowly got dressed to go out; it was a little later than usual, but still early.

However, my usual enthusiasm for doing exercise was gone because of the drink the night before. Leaving home at 7 am, I walked until the end of Leme, where I met, complimented, and wished the dog owners a happy Easter.

I only know some of them by sight, whilst with others I have a more direct relationship, where we sometimes talk. I did not stay for long, 20 minutes at most. As the rain began to fall, I knew it was time to hurry home. On my way back, I stopped at the local bakery to grab some bread and have a cup of coffee. I enjoy sitting outside the bakery on an uneven chair and table, watching the world go by.

It is a kind of therapy for me. While people-watching, I can also use my mobile to watch a YouTube video, retouch a photograph for Instagram, reply to a message, or even reply to an email. It is a peaceful moment for me.

At lunchtime, I decided to pay Yasmin and Nalva a visit. I mistakenly thought that a party Yasmin was invited to would be held tomorrow, on Saturday, when it was scheduled for tonight.

Yasmin was anxious and showed her mother and me what she had purchased for the party, including a present for the girl’s 15-year debutante party and, more importantly, her outfit.

Yasmin bought a black dungaree dress, as dungarees are the current fashion trend for women in Brazil. Additionally, she had purchased new shoes and other accessories for the party. I needed to know the total cost of everything to help pay for it all.

Nalva tends always to overspend, often beyond her financial means. While this behaviour is unwise or even stupid, there may be some rare situations where it is understandable. Despite my attempts to discuss the issue with her, she always has an excuse for her actions.

When we lived together, I often felt more like a father than a husband to her. The father figure who, when the daughter does something wrong or stupid, is always there to resolve the problem and say, “Don’t worry, my daughter, I will resolve it. No problem!”

It is like a ball and chain around my neck, where I am always worried about money and Yasmin, forfeiting my freedom to do what I want in favour of what I must do, but this is changing. I had lunch there, and shortly after, I left to go home, still feeling a little broken from the night before.

I stayed to think about things, read a little of the book I was in the middle of, and went to bed.

In bed by 8.00 p.m.

Thanks again.

Thanks for reading my blog. Check out my other posts and share your thoughts in the comments.

Richard

Photos by Richard George Photography

The post Friday, the 7th of April 2023: “A Rainy Good Friday and an Ordinary Day in the Life of a Middle-Aged Man”!!! first appeared on The Long Gringo.

It is Tuesday, a beautiful autumn morning with a slight breeze and a temperature in the low 20s.

Walking to the end of Leme to exercise, I could see the sea had a rough swell, with waves hitting the shore and the rocks with force; it was stunning and impressive to watch!

On Tuesday, Yasmin should come and stay with me as she has functional training in the evening after school. She should have had it last week, and as she is mad with me today, she cancelled coming to stay with me and doing it.

She probably thought she was getting to me by not coming, but little did she know that the day before, I had met her trainer by chance in the street and had cancelled the sessions as I would be moving this month.

When Yasmin sent me a message saying she wouldn’t come today, I promptly replied, “OK!” Just an OK!

I have reached a stage in life where I can’t force a situation anymore. If my daughter wants to be with me, GREAT!!! If she doesn’t want to or is angry with me, even though I was trying to teach her something to improve herself and her life, and if she doesn’t know how to appreciate it.

WHAT CAN I DO? And GREAT TOO!

I have reached a point where I no longer care about what others think or say about me. I had already arrived at this stage a long time ago. However, recently I have become more selfish, focusing more on myself and my needs. I have realised that, even though I have given a lot to others, I sometimes don’t receive recognition or appreciation.

I’m not constantly seeking praise or validation, but it’s tough to ignore that people tend to forget about your past efforts and sacrifices when you change your stance.

My daughter will be shocked when she realises that I have cancelled the training sessions and that her cancellation was for nothing. This situation reminds me of Dona Rosa. I gave classes to Dona Rosa for 6 or 7 years. She was a little old lady from a traditionally wealthy Brazilian family.

She was already in her late 70s when I began teaching her, and she had a powerful personality and an opinion she was never afraid to express in any situation. Unfortunately, she is no longer with us, and telling her whole story now would be too long, but Dona Rosa taught me a valuable lesson:

“WHO HAS THE POWER TO GIVE ALSO HAS THE POWER TO TAKE AWAY!!!”

It is a lesson I have never forgotten, and I carry it with me. Many people do not understand this, nor do they want to, but it is very accurate! As Yasmin is no longer coming, I can give the few last classes in the afternoon, read my book, and go to bed early.

WHAT MORE COULD WE ASK FOR???

In bed by 9.30 pm.

Thank you.

Thanks for reading my blog. Check out my other posts and share your thoughts in the comments.

Richard

Photos by Richard George Photography

The post Tuesday, the 4th of April 2023: “Giving and Taking Away”!!! first appeared on The Long Gringo.

Early exercise and work, giving classes and studying in the morning and afternoon. At the end of the day, I had to take Yasmin to one of her classmates’ birthday parties in a restaurant in Tijuca.

Tijuca is a neighbourhood in the north zone of Rio. Full of the hustle and bustle of people, cars, Street sellers, etc. For me, Tijuca is remarkably similar to Copacabana. It has the same vibe and architectural appearance as Copacabana, but without the beach.

Tijuca is famous for being hot, notably hotter than other neighbourhoods in the South zone. If it is 25° in Copacabana, it will probably be 30 in Tijuca.

In the past, I didn’t think highly of Tijuca; I had some prejudice against Tijuca. Perhaps because it is in the north zone. I don’t know, but I didn’t really appreciate it that much. Later, after having two girlfriends in Tijuca, I learned to appreciate its charms more. Many quality bars and restaurants.

Lots of little residential side streets and probably one of the best or most well-known shopping centres in Rio, Shopping Tijuca. Everybody loves Shopping Tijuca; it is a hub of activity and attracts people from everywhere around.

Yasmin’s friend was having a birthday party at six in the evening. I had planned to meet Yasmin at Flamengo Metro station at 5:30, as she would get ready at her mother’s place. I arrived early, and she arrived on time. We took the Metro to Tijuca, which took around 30 minutes.

Riding line one or the main line to Tijuca brought back memories of when I used to hurry there to meet Jacqueline or Denise after closing the school in Copacabana in the early evening. The journey from Copacabana to Tijuca crosses the entire city, and when I used to rush there, I would be anxious not to arrive too late.

I have had many wonderful experiences in Tijuca. Despite the fond memories, it’s hard to believe that it was only five or six years ago. It feels like it belongs to another person, another life, and another time.

We arrived at the restaurant where the Rotary pizza dinner was being held. I told Yasmin that I would be waiting outside for her at 9:00 p.m. sharp.

She was both anxious and happy to go in and meet her friends. In the past, she had had a lot of problems with socialising and making friends at school. With help from Monique, her psychologist, and lots and lots of talks from her mother and me, she seems to be happier, more confident, and more secure with herself.

I kissed her for her to go, and then I walked to Shopping Tijuca, passing by many shops, bars and restaurants on the way. I found a comfortable place to sit on the 2nd floor of the shopping centre and began reading my book.

One hour before picking up Yasmin, I decided to look for somewhere to eat near the shopping centre on the way to where Yasmin was. I found a Brazilian juice bar and ordered açai with granola. It was delicious.

At 9:00, I was there waiting in front of the restaurant. Yasmin was already ready to go with her friend, who we would give a lift to in the taxi as she lives near Yasmin in Flamengo. I first dropped off her friend and then Yasmin. Yasmin was very grateful for me taking her and picking her up.

I told her it wasn’t necessary to thank me because she’s my daughter, and it was my pleasure, but I could stillfeel her gratitude. It is a very good feeling when we do simple but meaningful things for our children that make their livesbetter in some way.

It was a good night for all. Yasmin went to her friend’s birthday party, and I reminisced about my past adventures in Tijuca. As a father, I felt complete.

In bed by 11:00 pm.

Thanks again.

Thanks for reading my blog. Check out my other posts and share your thoughts in the comments.

Richard

Photos by Richard George Photography

The post Thursday, the 9th of March 2023: “Tijuca, Yasmin and the Past”!!! first appeared on The Long Gringo.

Today kicked off with a hard workout at the end of Leme.

The beautiful sunrise and crashing waves provided the perfect backdrop for much-needed exercise. It felt perfect!

Once I returned home and had a quick shower, I was ready to take on the day ahead. I spent the entire day either teaching classes or studying online courses. Whenever I wasn’t teaching, I was entirely devoted to my studies.

Meanwhile, my younger daughter Yasmin is enjoying her school holidays and has found a great way to stay fit. She has been attending sessions at one of the small functional outdoor beach schools I have paid for.

Now that she’s on holiday, she can attend morning and evening sessions. Exercising in a group is always more enjoyable, especially at the beach with the sea in front of you.

As the year starts, I am feeling down after the holiday season just ended. You know, the extra weight gained during the Christmas and New Year celebrations?

My goal is to lose at least 2 kilos by the end of this month! Let’s face it: holidays are often characterised by overindulgence. However, with the start of a new year, it is time to get back on track, make healthier choices, and reclaim our fitness and well-being.

Remember that every day is a new chance to be the best version of yourself, whether you’re starting your day with a workout, teaming up with friends or family on a fitness journey, or simply trying to make better choices after the holidays.

It was a productive day for my daughter Yasmin and me.

In bed by 9 p.m.

Thank you.

I appreciate your support. Please feel free to explore more of my blog posts and leave a comment. I appreciate your thoughts.

Richard.

Photos by Richard George Photography

The post Wednesday, the 11th of January 2023: “Taking Charge of My Life”! first appeared on The Long Gringo.