Long Time Gone

Wow, I realized today that I haven't posted anything worthwhile in a very long time, yet again.  I don't know why I keep failing so miserably, but I would like to apologize again.  Life just seems to go by so quickly anymore.

I'm not sure how I'm doing, exactly.  I feel like I'm at such a stale-mate.  I am having a really hard time getting motivated lately, and I don't know if it's because of a little bit of depression, or maybe health issues, or both.  Whatever it is, I want it to stop, and I want to feel good and have energy and want to do things again.

I had an idea today for something that might work at getting me moving around more.  I've been addicted to Pinterest lately, and I have a board called "Food" that has upwards of 300 recipes on it so far.  I was thinking I would start with at least 1 recipe a week; make the dish, take a picture of it, post it here with my awesome wordiness attached, and then move it to a new board called "Finished", or something along those lines.  I think it might be a good way to get me out of the house to get the ingredients, then of course moving around the kitchen to create whatever fabulous dish is up for that week, and maybe even some more exercise if I decide to share it and bring it to friends so I don't end up 300 pounds by the end of it all.  And if I really got motivated I could do more than 1 a week, maybe even 3!  I don't know.  It's an idea.

What I do know is something needs to change for me, and I'm the only one who can make the changes.  So, I better get my ass in gear and figure out what I'm going to do.  I'm starting to get a little moldy like my apartment.

Day 280: New Goal

After some not-so-careful thought, I have decided to reset the ticker and attempt 100,000 steps by Jan 1, 2011.

There are 85 days left in this year, which means I would need to walk 1,176 steps each and every day in order to accomplish this goal, and that is just what I need to do to push myself even further toward walking unassisted.

I am already walking a bunch each day, so I really need to up the ante and kick myself in the ass (so to speak).  I also plan to add some strength training, but it's just too complicated to try to make a ticker for that... !

At this point, if my triceps get much bigger, I could just have them transplanted into my legs somewhere for added strength!  I already have massive arms for a woman, I don't really need them to get any bigger.  At least now I am using different muscles than when I was in the chair and they are getting balanced out, but enough is enough!  It's just all the more reason to get those legs stronger and take the focus off my upper body.

So, here goes!

Step count today:  1058

Challenge Extended?

The idea of heading out west to walk with Matt has me excited to really get busy.  I have been challenged to complete my goal before Matt finishes his journey, and I will be rewarded with a trip to walk next to him before he finishes.  Hmm... am I up to the challenge?  Hell ya!

Looks like I better get my ass in gear.  Matt is walking over 20 miles per day and not taking many rest days.  At that rate he could be done in the next few months, which means I've got some serious walking to do. 

Perhaps I should pretend that certain areas of my house are different states, and as I walk through I am crossing state lines and time zones.  I doubt that pictures of my house and animals would be quite as interesting as the photos Matt has up on his site, however.  Either way, I'll be walking with Matt in spirit.

I better get to work.

Day 148

I took the past couple of days off of walking.  To be honest, I just didn't want to, and I needed the rest.  My legs have been screaming at me, and I know when to listen.

I am sure that most of you have heard about Matt, the man who quit his job to go "walkabout" across the US from New York to Oregon, but just in case you've just come out from under your rock:

http://www.imjustwalkin.com/

Most people only dream of doing something like what Matt is doing.  I am one of them.  I think his journey is amazing, and I only wish I had the ability to do the same.  The sites he has seen, and the people he has encountered, are incredible.  I'm just blown away by the whole thing.  If I had the resources, I would travel to him and walk beside him as long as I could.

So, after staying up until the wee hours of the morning reading every post and looking at every picture Matt has posted along his journey so far, I am now filled with wanderlust.  The best I can do to cure it is walk in my home and add to my step count, then maybe hit the park later for some much needed cardio.

Step count today:  520

Steps I'm behind:  7,064

Day 141

After walking 1,103 steps yesterday, my left hip is hurting me a bit today.  I also suffered with a terrible leg spasm all -- night -- long.  My left leg spasmed hard, and quite painfully, from the time I laid down until the time I got up in the morning.  I'm sure it's just the extra movement, or it's pissed off, or whatever.  All I know is it was painful, I couldn't sleep, and it was terribly annoying.

So today I thought I would take it a bit easier in the step department, although I don't seem to be doing that as of yet.

Step count today:  713

Steps I'm behind:  6,624

Day 140

The day after I did my 1,031 steps, I took a break.  I had company coming, so I had to clean all day, and my legs were feeling the affects from the day before, so I figured it was a good time to rest and let the muscles repair themselves.  Yesterday, I took as many steps as I could muster, but after having company and not getting much sleep, I did just below my daily requirement and then called it.  I figured it's best to be a little short, than fall and get behind even further.

Today will be my day to attempt to squeeze in 1,000 again, and do three miles in my chair.  The miles are getting easier and easier, as I get in better and better shape.  The better shape I am in, the longer distances I can walk before becoming fatigued.  It's all such a great process, and I love how it's making my body feel.  I've always had a strong ticker, and I love that it's getting even stronger with all the cardio I am doing.  It's going to need to be strong to once again pump blood through 6' of standing me!

So, it's off to the races today.  The last thousand steps I did made me feel so accomplished and proud that I just can't wait to get another thousand down.

Step count today:  1103

Steps I'm behind:  7,063

Day 137

Between a visit from my father, and my daughter's 8th grade dance, I missed a few days of walking.  I know I shouldn't let life get in the way like that, but sometimes it does.  I just don't quite move fast enough yet to be able to slow down on those busy days, and walk.  Besides, I think the rest does me good.  I am doing great with the step count today, and am almost to my goal!  I feel strong and motivated and I love it!

Shooting for 1,000 today!

Step count today:  1,031

Steps I'm behind:  7,614

Day 132

It has been a great walking day today.  My legs feel strong, and thinking back to how I used to walk, I am taking much more normal steps with a more normal stride.  I can also walk a lot further before becoming fatigued, both in my arms and my legs.  I will shoot for 400 steps a day for the rest of May, and I can't wait to see how much I progress after that!



Step count today:  579

Steps I'm behind:  7,275

Day 54

Step count today:  162

Day 42

(edited to reflect the right day - day 42, not 41)

My computer crashed yesterday mid-walk so I wrote my steps down and had to update it today. My weight machine also took a dump yesterday so I did 1 set of 15 reps with 5 lbs and that was the end of that.

I really want a bowflex machine.


Step count today: 296

Wow. Just, Wow!

This is an amazing story of determination and struggle:

Paralyzed Motocross Racer Walks By Sheer Willpower

Give 'er hell!

Good Morning

Up at 6:00 AM today, I started my day off well. I am a morning person, I usually love to get up as early as I can drag myself out of bed, stumble to the coffee pot to get it going, take a hot shower, and then watch the sun come up while sipping hot coffee. Mornings are the quietest time of the day, and I love to soak it all in. There is something about knowing I have the whole day ahead of me that gives me a sense of peace and relaxes me.

I am contemplating adding a morning ride into my routine. Traffic is slowest first thing in the morning, and it certainly is beautiful outside around then. The humidity here in FL is highest first thing in the morning, but at least it's not quite so hot. If I get the ride over with, then the rest of the day can be focused on work and walking. My only delimma is I love to ride in the sun. I know it's bad for me, blah, blah, but I am a sun worshiper. Put me in the direct sun and I'm golden (quite literally, ha ha). I'm not one of these people who slathers on baby oil and goes out and purposely roasts, and my facial moisturizer has sunscreen, but I love being outside on a sunny day soaking in the Vitamin D and enjoying all the sun's many benefits. Like my favorite nurse in ICU used to tell me when he would come to the nursing home to visit and get me out of bed and take me outside, "Fresh air and sunshine kills bugs".

Perhaps I would benefit from a morning and an afternoon ride, if time permits. There's no reason why that wouldn't be great for me. Heck, come Christmas time I could quite possibly be in the best cardiovascular shape of my life if I'm riding 6 miles a day!

I know the key here is to not just talk about it, or in my case blog about it, and just do it, but it helps me to get these things down on paper so I can weigh the pros and cons and figure out how to implement them into my day without creating chaos.

I suppose tomorrow will be the test. I may as well skip the shower first thing, go for the ride, come back and shower and have my coffee. I would have started this morning, but Wednesdays are garbage day and I don't want to compete with the garbage trucks for space on the road.

So, tomorrow it is. I guess I'll load up the mp3 with some classical music to get my brain set for the day!