Let the Sideshow Begin!

 As you know, since I got my dentures and am able to eat a better diet, I've been a whole wellness kick. I have been walking a few times a week, weather allowing, and I've been enjoying the vibration plate exercises. But with winter coming on, I might not be able to go out walking as much - it will depend on my balance and the sidewalk conditions.

Anyway.

In talking with someone in a forum, I got the idea to get a hula hoop. In my fantasies, I was going to be able to hula while standing on the vibration plate but, a more realistic (and safe) goal was to hula a couple of times a day when I'm not able to go walking.

Do you know that hula hooping has become a whole new thing again? Everyone is selling hoops of all kinds. There are hoops with weights attached, hoops made of beads, and hoops made with what looks like the hose on my vacuum cleaner. And, of course, the prices are insane...

I was going to get around the price by getting a hoop made for kids, but I found out that adults need a larger size. I was told the best size in general is one that stands at least just above the belly button. It seems that fat people require bigger hoops to hula with.

It was hard to find anything that I would need to use a credit card flex-pay plan to afford, but I did it. I got one for just under 20 bucks. Is it me, or is that still kind of dear? Oh well.

Okay. So, the hoop came, and I was able to put it together (yeah, that's thing). Then I cleared a space to do a hula workout. I used to hula constantly when I was a kid. It was something all the kids did. I figured the ability would come back to me. It did not.

I tried for over half an hour the first day. Nope. The hoop would make 1 or maybe 2 circuits before it dropped. Good Lord.

I sent a video to my little brother, and it was about 5 minutes before he could catch his breath from laughing and talk. I won't show my own shame, but this one is already up online so...

The only thing I can say is that at least my hoop never took flight!

My brother was surprised at the trouble I was having. He watched the video again - it's less than 10 seconds long - and, when he could talk (again), wondered why someone who had been a pretty good dancer could not hula. In his opinion, it's all rhythm. He never could dance but he can hula. I thought he was lying, but my SIL said he did last year with the kids. The only thing is, he has a bad back.  

My brother couldn't get over to my place soon, so he suggested I find an instructional video. And then my day got worse.

One of the customer review videos is of a lady just whooping it up. Her husband got her the hoop for her 70th birthday...

Anyway. When I finished feeling all kinds of sorry for my sad little self, I found some videos. When I can rally my spirits, I'm going to give the hoop another try. In the meantime, I figured I burned quite a few calories laughing at the video. I watch it often.

Peace

--Free

**UPDATE** No White Cast Sunscreens (even on dark skin)

 UPDATE 

Since my opinion on sunscreen is limited to the few I've tried, I wanted to provide more sources of information. 

• A dermatologist did a little testing of her own. I love the method she used. Here's a link if you want to avoid YouTube and, of course, the YouTube video.
• There was a scandal about a certain sunscreen recently & an independent consumer product group out of Australian caught it. Listen, if anyone cares about sunscreen, it's our Aussie brothers & sisters! This is their ranking of some other sunscreens they tested. 
• EWG has their 2025 list of sunscreens. I have nothing against them & often use their resources, bit EWG is concerned about products from an environmental perspective.
• Huffpost took a look at whether or not differences between SPF factors matter.  (And do refer back that dermatologist's video...) This was interesting since I try to go for the highest SPF I can.
• BBC took a look at more common myths about sunscreen.
• Last & maybe most helpful, the Skin Cancer Foundation offers up tips for choosing a sunscreen.

When looking into these resources, I did notice variations in the "best of" lists. I am really liking the Hawaiian Tropic I mentioned below. I did get my hands on a sample of the SPF 70 & t's nice on my face which means I would only have to purchase one sunscreen instead of another for my body. I checked the price and it's affordable. It's also moisturizing without being greasy, and it absorbs quickly. 

******

As a dark-skinned woman, I know the struggle of finding a sunscreen that does not leave me looking ashy. There are some sunscreens that I can balance out with foundation, but I rarely wear make up so... Here are some sunscreens I have used on that leave no white cast at all. (There is a link to INCIDecoder for each product if available.)

• Neutrogena Invisible Daily Defense Sunscreen Lotion SPF 60+ - Love this one so much that I was subscribed until recently. PROS: moisturizing, fragrance-free & water resistant. It's priced higher than some others & the lid gets messy and gunky after a while if you're not careful. NOTE: Surprised that this was so good after trying the brand's Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen Lotion SPF 70 which does leave a white cast. INCI page
• Black Girl Face & Body Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 - Tried this one and it is awesome. Not as moisturizing as the Neutrogena, but it is good to the skin. It's a good buy for (recently) under $10. If they come out with a higher SPF for a good price, I'm in.  (I can't find it on INCI; it may be too new to be in the database. I will have to submit the info.)
• Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch Lotion Sunscreen SPF 70 - This is one I'm trying now. I know it doesn't leave a white cast because I have the SPF 30 that I have always used on my body. I am going to be trying the higher SPF for my face & body. The SPF 30 doesn't bother my face, but I will have to let you know when I try the 70. Pricing was a big factor in trying this to replace the Neutrogena. At around $9 for 8 ounces this is cheaper than the Black Girl and Neutrogena. INCI page
• La Roche Posay Anthelios UVmune 400 SPF50+ Fragrance-Free - If my pockets were deeper, this would be my favorite. My skin loved this when I found some on eBay. Unfortunately, I can't always find it on such a good sale. But, if you can find some, it's good. It is moisturizing and soaks in well. INCI page for all the Anthelios.

I would suggest Walmart's Equate Kids Broad Spectrum Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50, but unless they have changed, there is no expiration date on them. I used it a few years ago and it was great. I have not tried their Equate Ultra Light Broad Spectrum Sunscreen Lotion for All Skin Tones, SPF 50, but may have take a look. One user provided photo proof of no white cast... It gets pretty good marks for ingredients on INCIDecoder. I will let you know if I pick some up. 

I know there are many others out there, it's just being able to hunt them down. I only included ones that I have tried myself.

Peace

--Free 

DISCLAIMER: I have not been/will not be compensated in anyway for any products mentioned in this post. I do not have any affiliate links in this post.