We Are Only Into The Fourth Week of Winter

So much for the bike path this weekend - too cold. No snow, just cold (I'm such a pansy this weekend). So it is exercise on my own and some treadmill. I'll do better next weekend - even it is cold, I'm headed out for a walk. Have to wait for the weekends because of work hours.

People already are wishing for Spring and it is only going into the second month of Winter. My dad always said "don't wish your life way" - so I really enjoy each and every day as it comes, whether it be Winter, Summer, Spring, or Fall.




I'm also trying to be a more healthy eater. That means less eating on the run and actually sitting down at night for a light meal, rather than doing work , reading e-mails, and eating supper at the same time. This ties right in with my life/work balance resolution of 4 years - and each year I get a better at allowing myself more precious personal time.

New ticker for this month

I'm resetting my pedometer for 6,000 steps a day. Our weather has been so warm that so far, I've been able to exceed that, although the cold is coming back this week-end. Yesterday I did 10,700. I walked around the parking lot when I bought groceries, and around the condo in the afternoon with some classical music. Most of the articles I've read on using pedometers recommend 10,000 a day. I plan to work up to that, but not being an exercise-role model like Joanne, I'll not set my expectations too high.

30 Day Goal for Celebrating Return to Good Health

One year ago today I came home from rehab after the first step of replacing my left hip - a temporary replacement wrapped with antibiotics and using a walker. But I was home and it was and is wonderful. With the weather so iffy, I am now setting a goal for at least one hour a day of exercise, weight training, some treadmill, and maybe even some walking on the bike path from today January 5, 2008 through February 5, 2008.

Tomorrow

Tomorrow is my final day for tracking this pedometer goal of 5000 steps a day for 30 days. I didn't make it. But those days I got 6000 or 7000 it wasn't all that difficult. Usually it just involved going to the supermarket, or one day I just walked around the inside of the church when I was doing an errand. So I'll reset the goal for January-February soon.

Happy New Year!

Good-bye 2007 and Hello 2008! I really haven't done much walking, what with preparing for 3 other Holiday parties. With the Christmas rush and all, many of my friends enjoy a January Christmas and New Year celebration. So with all the party preparations I have let my walking slide, even on the treadmill. But this week, will be back at least on the treadmill for a mile a day or so.

Will set new ticker once I am back on track.

Wishing all a really Great 2008!

A Snowy Minneapolis Christmas

Spend all day Sunday at Airport, plane was to leave at 11 AM, we were in the air at 8:40 PM. My brother and wife had to stop about an 1 and 1/2 hours drive from my niece's home. But we all made it safe and sound and by 10 AM Christmas Eve Morning were together to celebrate a very snowy Christmas. Even walked 2 miles in white fluffy snow Christmas afternoon.

Was to leave today at 9:15 AM, in the air at 1:40 PM. Am home now with the 3 kit cats finishing up preparations for a second Christmas here in Illinois with friends.

Merry Christmas from Ohio

We were in Indiana this morning, but with a brisk tail wind (gas was $2.84) we were home in Columbus by 10 a.m. Very windy today, but I did get a mile walk, and a mile on Friday. I have a friend recovering from major, major abdominal surgery, and each time I get an e-mail from her telling me that she has gone outside to walk, I put on my coat and go out!

An Early Merry Christmas in Illinois

Early post for Christmas. Weather is still not copperating for outside walking so 3 more miles on the treadmill. Off to Minneapolis tomorrow - have boarding pass and ride to airport. There may be flight delays, but I won't be missing the plane.

Back in Illinois on December 26th and will do more on treadmill then. Until then:

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EACH AND ALL and GOD BLESS EVERYONE!

What Goal?

My goal has fallen by the way. The weather has been so nasty that I have only managed to walk a mile on the treadmill each day. Besides, Christmas is coming and I have been cleaning and enjoying decorating. I'm flying up to Minneapolis on Sunday to be with my niece over Christmas. My brother and his wife are driving in from Lincoln NE. Today I have heard at least 4 different weather forecasts so I'm not sure whether I'll be in Minneapolis or sitting on the tarmack in Moline.

The challenge

I'm glad I didn't set this any higher than 5000 steps a day, because I'm barely scraping by.

Wintery Mixes

Walking has now become the treadmill - until the weather lightens up some. So I may not make my goal - 4 miles on the treadmill is not near as much fun as walking outside. I had hoped to get the snow shoes ordered, but I'll wait til after Christmas. Then I'll have more time to explore what is available in snow shoes and also may need to get new walking sticks (I think I'm wearing one stick out). I used to walk on all kinds of wintery surfaces, but I don't want to mess up what the Drs. fixed last year.

I almost blew off going to the gym tonight, but thought better of it. Good thing too - I had the best workout I have had in a very long time. Stress level is better, maybe I'm mellowing out.

We have had some really snowy slippery days, with more on the way for the weekend and on through Tuesday. I love the winter season, but hate driving in the snow and ice. I even love to shovel my walk - I like to do that very early with starlight and moonlight making the my little corner of the world glisten. It is so quiet and peaceful.

My treadmill (not motorized) needs oiling - first thing tomorrow.

My pedometer goal

In November I wrote about the advantages of wearing a pedometer. During this high calorie Christmas season when it is cold and drippy outside, I'm setting a goal of 5,000 steps a day through January 5, 2008. If I can do more, I will, but if I set it too high, I'll get discouraged. My computer download is a bit slow, so as it creeps on screen, I get up, walk through the living room and kitchen and return to my office, adding valuable steps instead of fuming at my CRT.




Update: Because the ticker will forward each day, I'll note here that my first day was 2527 steps, so I didn't meet the 5000 goal--maybe if I'd gone to the supermarket, but it was too nasty to leave the house.

December Afternoon

Really have done well for the last three days -4 miles each day. This afternoon silly orange cat met me on the bicycle path, rolling over on her belly to be petted. I really like walking in this weather, but just wait until it is snowing and sleeting. I do try to get even a half mile in then. No walk outside from tomorrow through Friday - back to work. I will do a mile on the treadmill at Nautilus tomorrow and Friday - no more than that, hate that treadmill.

My neighbor (1/2 mile away) has his front yard filled with Christmas. These last two afternoons, as I was walking up the hill, he was just finishing inflating the last figure.

I'm seeing what I can get done for outside Christmas lights. I only do lights on the trees and greenery sprays and wreaths for the doors, not figures.

New Month, New Season, New Goal

The best laid plans of mice and men: no walk today - a little snow,more sleet and ice. The grass next to the driveway is icy and my mailbox is frozen shut, so I'm waiting for the rain to melt the ice.

I'm going to try the outside walking on days that are good - it will depend a lot on the weather. I haven't bought equipment to showshoe yet. I haven't been on skis since college and with no place close to cross country, I think learning to use snow shoes would be good. Other years, from December 1 through December 31, I have been able to get at least 4 days each week of 3 - 4 miles of good brisk walks in.

This change of plans started me on Christmas gift wrapping - since I have packages to mail off Monday, today is dedicated to making one pick mess and one time cleaning up

End of Autumn Ramblings

I did not quite meet my goal, 35 miles short. I think I could have if I had not been so focused on work related "stuff". Now it is time to set a short goal. See post tonight.

Yesterday I walked five miles

Yes, but before I break my arm patting myself on the back, let me tell you I was wearing a step pedometer, and only one mile was "exercise" done outside. The rest was my normal activities at home, and going out twice to shop. This week I read, "Using pedometers to increase physical activity and improve health" (a review article) in the Nov 21, 2007 issue of JAMA (many public libraries have a subscription). The researchers had reviewed 26 published studies that reported on pedometers among outpatients, 8 randomized controlled trials, and 18 observational. The conclusion was that use of a pedometer is associated with significant increases in physical activity and significant decreases in body mass index and blood pressure. This was across all ages, races, gender, and state of health.

Some guidelines specifically recommend 10,000 steps a day, although I don't know that this goal would change the outcome. So, ladies, clip on that pedometer. I'm not sure why it works, but people, me included, seem to increase their activity level when using a pedometer.

Thanksgiving Blessings

What a difference in a year! So many things to be thankful for - God's beauty in the world around us, walking, seeing, hearing, touching, feeling, health, family, friends, letting my brother and niece persuade me that Blue kit cat was not a bad cat, just a misguided one - among a few! I am sure that I won't make my goal of 300 miles, but that is okay. I have tried to cram two years of projects into one year with the house and yardwork and my job. It is true what they say" Thank God for everything". My walks are filled with so many wonderful treasures to remember and acquaintances that I have met along my route.

My niece is here for Thanksgiving and my brother and his wife are driving in from Nebraska. Dinner will be shared with my sister-in-law's family. What a Glorious Day!
I think my niece and I will probably walk the route this morning.

I still have 9 days left before November 30, if the weather holds. Hope it does, want to walk more and work in the yard.

November Thanks

This November is truly a time of reflection and renewal for me. The weather has been fairly mild, but windy. The walks have been my usual route, but with the changing colors of the leaves. No more turtles, but I do see the blue heron. I have so much to be thankful for and enjoy looking over the beautiful sights of the walks, meeting town neighbors and the critters and listening for the sounds of fall.

I've had quite a few vacation days to work in the yard, but have really procrastinated. Now I need to get on the job of preparing for winter!

Catching Up on Autumn Days

It has been a really great day! Two walks - 4 miles each with another mile on the treadmill at the gym. I really should be doing yardwork but just not today. I'll work on the yard tomorrow afternoon. It is really strange leaf turning color time here in western Illinois - some leaves are totally changed and trees like the black oak in my yard are barely showing any reds or browns. We haven't even had a slight frost yet. Still, I see so many squirrels hiding away lots of nuts - who knows what the weather will be in a month!

I'm planning on walking lots this week. Friday I'm headed to Nebraska to visit my brother and his wife for a few days - making up for the trips Im missed last year (two out of state trips in one month).

Two Weeks of Walks

Walking here and there. Last weekend Minneapolis, this week home. The weather is so changeable, but I think now autumn has really started to settle in. The trees are just starting to turn color in some places and are in full color in other places. I have seen a couple of deer early in the morning and the squirrels are bustling about with burying walnuts. The weather is great for walking and hopefully for the next four days I'll be able to get 2 treks a day since I am off from work until Wednesday. I did not get 2 treks in today but did manage another mile on the treadmill besides my AM walk.

This is a glorious day - another birthday and right on the day of the week I was born. At this time last year I was just starting my bout with the hip thing - how great it is to be able to enjoy walks and exercise.