Day #31

Debbie and I went to the C & O Canal (Williamsport, MD) and trekked for 2 1/2 hours. The weather was perfect and we had a great time! Of course we took Polly along too!

Day #30

Another great walking day!!! Debbie and I trekked for two hours at PHF. Just as we got there it started to snow...it was so pretty, and it snowed the entire time we were there. A few times we stopped walking and just listened...not a sound! It was so peaceful....and gave me the feeling like everything was perfect in the world, at least for that moment in time.

They are building a new disc golf course on the hill behind PHF. This is me and Polly at #14.

Day #29

I can definitely say that walking every day has become a habit! When I wake up in the morning, planning my walk for the day is one of the first thing that pops into my mind.

What is the weather supposed to be like?
Do I have to run errands?
Will anything interfere with my walk?
When can I take my walk?

I've decided that I'm not going to let anything get in the way of my daily walk! That thought is firmly planted in my brain!

I walked to work this morning (15 minutes) and I also walked for 60 minutes at the mall tonight. If you want to be bored out of your mind for an hour...walk at the mall! Grrr! After work and running errands, I got home too late to take a walk outside.

Day #28

Debbie and I decided that it was a bit too nippy (20 degrees) to walk outside tonight, so we walked inside the mall.... and you know how I feel about that, but a walk is a walk! We walked for 65 minutes and we enjoyed ourselves because we laughed and talked the entire time. I walked to work this morning (15 minutes). It's supposed to be around 20 degrees again tomorrow morning, so I will have to really bundle up for my a.m. walk.

Day #27

I rolled over this morning, squinted at the alarm clock, and bolted out of bed when I realized I had overslept! Seemingly in one motion, I leaped out of bed, and rushed into the bathroom and started the shower. "Damn! I can't walk to school!" I rushed around like a crazy woman and made it to work only 4 minutes late....not bad, but I was really mad at myself for not having enough time to take my morning walk.

I met Debbie at the mall earlier this evening and we walked around the outside of the mall for 70 minutes. We just couldn't bear walking around in the crappy environment that IS the mall! The sidewalks are well lit and in good repair...so our walk turned out great!

Day #26

I walked to work this morning (15 minutes) and then walked 40 minutes after school, met Rose at Asian Garden for dinner, and then headed back to school for parent-teacher conferences. Oh, yeah.....AND I taught kids all day! :o)

P.S. The sushi was fantastic!

Day #25

I walked to school this morning(15 minutes) in the pouring, and I mean pouring, rain! Walking in the rain was nice, but I was so hot by the time I got to work....the temperature increase was quite a surprise and I was overdressed! It got up to 68 degrees today and they are calling for snow later in the week...weird!

I met Debbie at the mall tonight, and we walked for 45 minutes....great company but boring atmosphere! After we finished walking, we headed over to Chick-Fil-A. My school was hosting a spirit night to raise money for Relay for Life and we wanted to support their cause.

Day #24

I trekked at PHF again today, but this time my friend Debbie joined me. The weather report called for rain all day, but I figured since it wasn't raining, we might as well give it a shot. Right after I dropped Debbie back off at her house, it started to rain....that's what I call perfect timing.

Debbie has never tried trekking poles before, so I let her try mine for part of the walk. She really seemed to like them and I guess she'll get herself a pair.

As usual...we walked up, down, over, and around for 1 1/2 hours. It was a great workout....AND fun too! We did forget to bring Polly along..shame on us....but we'll remember to bring her next time!

Day #23

I had a great trek at PHF today! I walked up, down, over, and around the whole place, and I was out there for 1 hour and 45 minutes.....great work out and it was a BEAUTIFUL day!

Day #22

We had a two hour delay today because of freezing rain...it was pretty sloppy out there, but I still walked to work.(15 minutes) I have to say that I really enjoyed my walk. The sound of sleet pinging off of my umbrella and my footsteps slapping through the puddles were the only sounds on the quiet streets. It was very peaceful.

I didn't get out of the house fast enough this afternoon to take my walk before dark, so unfortunately I had to walk at the mall. It was soooo boring, but I walked for one hour.

Day #21

I walked to work this morning (15 minutes), I know, what else is new? :o) I had a meeting at 5:00, so I wasn't able to get in an afternoon walk. After the meeting was over, I headed over to the mall and walked for 35 minutes. Not a terrific walk, but better than nothing!

After my walk, I had a pedicure....ahhh, so relaxing! When I came out of the mall it was already sleeting, so I don't know what tomorrow will bring, BUT I WILL get a walk in!! I don't care if I have to walk up and down the stairs....I WILL get a walk in!

Day #20

Okay...I had a good exercise day, BUT then I came home and had a big bowl of ice cream. Why? Good question, and I don't have an answer! :o(

I walked to work this morning (15 minutes) and then I took a 50 minutes walk late in the afternoon. I barely got it in before the sun went down, BUT I DID get it in! :o)

They're calling for a "wintery mix" tomorrow afternoon, so I'll definitely walk to work in the morning, and if it really is horrible out there later in the day, I'll take a walk at the mall.

Day#19

I walked to work this morning (15 minutes) and then I took a 45 minute walk this afternoon after school....a good exercise day! I feel like getting out there to walk is starting to become a habit...shhhh! Don't tell anyone that I said that, but it's true. I'm making less excuses, and I am just doing it! Yeah!

I haven't lost any weight yet, but I guess that isn't the point yet. I need to make a lifestyle change, and as Weight Watchers says, "Stop dieting and start living." It's true... don't you think?

Day #18

I had the day off today because of Martin Luther King Day. The weather was perfect--somewhere in the low 50's and I really appreciated having the day off. I've been thinking a lot about the situation in Haiti and it's so sad that it takes a disaster for people to help the people of that country. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad America and other countries are helping, but it's sad to hear the reports of the severe problems brought on by poverty even before the earthquake hit.

I read an article today that said it's been calculated that today, January 18th, is the most depressing day of the year for many people....it has to do with post-holiday blahs, "wintertime blues", and failed New Year's resolutions.

January 18th has been a great day for me, so maybe I'm not the your "average Joe".

Earlier today I took a 60 minute walk.

I had a long talk with Pierre at lunchtime about my walks. He encouraged me to keep walking, but also cautioned me about thinking the walking will bring about great weight loss success. I know walking alone won't help me lose all the weight...I'm doing it to show myself I can stick to what I say I am going to do....AND more importantly because it's healthy to get exercise every day. Remember the 10,000 steps a day thing and how Asians typically live longer than Americans do? It's because of two factors....what they eat....AND the average person logs over 10,000 steps a day. Impressive!

My Motto....Just Keep Walking!

Day #17

I just got back from a long walk in the rain. I bundle up and walked for an hour, and it was yucky out there! Actually, it turned out to be a good walk because I was dressed for the weather, so my only problem was rain covered glasses...I couldn't see very well!

Day #16

Today I trekked at Poor House Farm for 45 minutes, it was a great walk and I tried to do as many hills as possible. The weather was fantastic--52 degrees--but, the ground was very soggy from the melting snow. Oh well, you can't have everything!

My trekking poles seem to be quite a curiosity for people. Almost every single time I've used them, I've been stopped and asked questions ...

~Are they hard to get used to? No, they are VERY easy to use.
~Is it a good work out? Yes!
~Where did you buy them? I didn't buy them...they were a gift, but they were bought at L.L. Bean
~Do you like using them? Yes!

Day #15

Well, I guess my morning walk is becoming a habit...which of course is a good thing! I'm a night owl and mornings are not my best time, so walking to school gets me pumped up for the day. My friend Tom, Budapest Tom as I refer to him since I have two friends named Tom, guilted me into walking to work. I don't think he knows he gave me a guilt trip, but he did! We were chatting online a few weeks ago and he told me that he walked to work every day. I repeated, "Every day?" I then asked him how far he walked....and when he answered I started feeling guilty because I actually live very close to where I work, but unlike Tom...I was driving to work!

Okay, so I walked to work this morning (15 minutes) and I took a late afternoon walk for 50 minutes. I've been trying really hard not to make excuses (like I've done so many times in the past), but getting an afternoon walk in during the winter months is really tough! I need to leave for my walk almost immediately after I get home, so I'm not caught walking in the dark. So far it's worked pretty well! I have to plan for it....and then take action!

Day #14

As usual, I walked to work this morning--15 minutes. I was fooled by the sunshine, and thought that it was warmer than it actual way....my walk was a bit chilly! I got a late start on my afternoon walk. I walked to the mall and got there just as it was starting to get dark. Since I absolutely hate walking inside, I decided to loop around the outside of the mall. The sidewalks were well lit and there were plenty of people around, so it wasn't a big deal. I walked for a total of 50 minutes, and when I finished, Pierre came over and picked me up, so I wouldn't have to walk home in the dark! What a honey! :o)

Day #13

I walked to work this morning (15 minutes), and I must admit that this is a great way to start my day. It gets me pepped up...I think about my upcoming day as I walk, and before I know it, I'm walking through the door of the school. I took off almost immediately after school to get another walk in...this time I walked for 50 minutes. I timed it so I would finish at the grocery store. My husband met me there and we did our shopping and headed home for the night. Once home, I fixed dinner, cleaned up the kitchen, and then got in bed just in time to see American Idol.

I was very saddened to hear about the earthquake in Haiti ....the news footage coming out of there is shocking! Think twice before you complain...things could be a whole lot worse. I close my day feeling very grateful for what I have in life!

Day #12

NO WALK DAY

Day #11

Attention...attention...wimpy walking day! I walked to work this morning and it was really cold (20 degrees!) That's the only walk I got in all day long....15 minutes! My right hip hurt a little bit today...I think it was from walking so much and being on my feet so long yesterday.

Day #10

I walked, and walked, and WALKED today! We went to the Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg, PA. We got there at 10:00 and walked for six hours before we finally sat down at 4:00 to watch the Draft Horse wagon pull. Trust me...it felt so good to sit down! I hope I'm not sore tomorrow!

Day #9

I trekked again this morning at Poor House Farm....50 minutes. The wind was howling the entire time I was out there, AND it was really cold. My nose got the brunt of the attack and I ended my walk about 10 minutes earlier than I had planned. It's okay...I walked at a really good clip, and I know I was a calorie-burning machine while it lasted! It sure beat last night's walk! Mall walking is soooo boring!

Tomorrow I'm heading to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to visit the PA State Farm Show....we're leaving early, so I am going to log off and go to bed!

Day #8

Today was a looooong day! I know it can only be 24 hours, but it felt much longer! I stayed after school to get work done for next week. I was able to get all of my lesson plans done, I ran the papers I needed, and I organized my desk and work table....the best news is that I didn't have to bring any work home over the weekend! That's always a good thing!

After work I went straight to the grocery store, came home and got dinner ready....and then headed back out the door almost immediately after eating. I went to the mall so I could get in my daily walk....it was too cold and too dark to take a walk by the time I was able to leave the house.

I walked at the mall for 30 boring minutes...I can't stand walking inside. I guess I should be grateful that the mall is only a few minutes from my house, and it is there waiting for me in bad weather and after dark. Okay...I am officially grateful!

After my walk, I headed to Debbie's house and we worked on our website, which is an educational travel site aimed at increasing global awareness and building a community of contributors from around the world. We even offer the perfect frog gifts!

Day #7

My knee was really hurting today, so it has been day #2 of "WIMPY WALKS"! Tonight I drove to the mall and walked for 20 minutes before heading over to Debbie's house. It's snowing right now, so I wonder what tomorrow will hold.....I am aiming for at least a 40 minute walk!!!

Day #6

Today I had the wimpiest walk ever....BUT....a walk is a walk! I walked to work this morning (15 minutes). My knee is bothering me a little bit, but that's not why I didn't walk later in the day...I had a ton of stuff to do. Loads of errands....then I came home cooked dinner, and then headed over to Debbie's house in the evening.

Day #5

I walked to work this morning (15 minutes)....yes, it was very cold! I also bundled up after work and took a 45 minute walk, and yes it was even colder than this morning! I think we are hovering somewhere around the 30 degree mark, but it's the wind that makes it seem much colder.

This morning my boss passed me on her way to work. When she saw me, she stopped her car, rolled down the window and asked, "Do you want to walk?" It made me laugh because most people ask, "Do you want a ride?" I guess she already knew what I would say, but it was nice of her to ask!

Day #4

I walked to work this morning...only 15 minutes but it was cold! Since 15 minutes would make for a pretty wimpy walking day, I drove over to the mall earlier this evening and walked for another 45 minutes...and no, I didn't bring my trekking poles! LOL

Day #3

We went to Poor House Farm for my trek* today...Tyler went with me. It was 20 degrees and very windy, but we were dressed for the weather and it wasn't a big deal. We walked for 45 minutes.

On our walk we saw two really weird things...a dead blue heron in the snow(sad!)....and the place where a deer was shot...the trail of blood where it ran away...and then the pool of blood in the snow where it died. Very sobering and a bit scary too! Scary because it was killed on the Poor House Farm property where people walk all the time!

* As you can see, I used my trekking poles!

Day #2 I Looked Like a Sherpa!

Just got back from another trek*...wow, what a difference a day makes! Yesterday was around 35 degrees...today 27 degrees and windy(25mph). I bundled up and Pierre told me I looked like a Sherpa! It paid off...I walked for an hour and I was warm and toasty! Great Walk!


*Used my trekking poles

Day #1

Hiking in the Maryland Snow
HappyNew Year...wow, it's the first day of 2010. I started this blog last summer and I forgot about it. Not good! My goal for the new year is to take a walk every day...long or short...doesn't matter! I need to lose weight of course, but as I get older, I realize it's important to get exercise every day. My body feels so much better after I do.

Well...today was fun! Tom and I drove up to Cumberland, MD. with the intention of hiking with the C & O Canal Association...the walk must have been canceled because nobody was there, so we decided to do it by ourselves! We trekked for 3 hours and 10 minutes in about 5-6 inches of snow. It was rough going at times...but we made it! Cumberland, Maryland to the Evitts Creek Aqueduct...7.6 miles total.

P.S. I love my trekking poles that I got for Christmas!