Day #59

Walking is without a doubt a habit for me now! I actually feel a bit twitchy prior to getting my walk in for the day...it just doesn't feel right until I get my walk in. It's the first thing I think about when I wake up in the morning....What will my day be like and how can I manage to get my walk in?

Today I walked for 60 minutes on the Maryland Rail Trail (Hancock, Maryland) Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, the health benefits of the walk were lost on the meal I had at the Lock House Restaurant. I had a cup of french onion soup (fabulous), and something called Drunken Mushrooms from the appetizer selection. It must have had about a million calories, but was wickedly delicious! Is wickedly even a real word? Just wondering... Thank God for my walk today!

Day #58

Still sick, but remember...no excuses! Debbie and I headed over to PHF and trekked for an hour and twenty minutes*. It was the first time we've been back since the "Big Snow" and there was still about 5-8 inches of snow on the ground. Because it was a sunny day, the snow was really slushy and that made walking a bit difficult at times. Perfect weather...great work out...fantastic friendship! Thanks Debbie!

*One of the best side effects from the walk was that my sinuses felt "un-clogged for 80 minutes! I became stuffed up almost immediately after stopping...I joked and said the best way to deal with this head cold would be to walk all day long! Can you imagine? LOL!

Day #57

I still couldn't breathe through my nose all day, but amazingly, when I took my walk my head cleared--albeit, only for the duration of my walk, but I relished the relief! I walked at the mall for 65 minutes. I've been relaxing for the rest of the night...it was a long week!

Day #56

I feel horrible, but I powered through another day! My head cold is in full swing and my sinuses are so clogged that it hurts when I move--my entire face and head feels tender. Since I can't breathe out of my nose at all, I need to breathe out of my mouth, making me sound like a run away freight train. If you don't know what that sounds like, think....puff, puff, wheeze, puff, puff, wheeze!

We had a baby shower/breakfast at work this morning. I had to bring in two platters of fruit, so I wasn't able to take my morning walk, and I drove instead. Pierre teased me and told me that I should have carried the fruit in on my head....I took a pass on that! LOL!

I met Debbie at the mall late this afternoon, and we walked for an hour and six minutes. Oh yeah, I'm proud of those six minutes! :o) Remember the runaway train? Well, when I was walking I sounded like a run away train with a squeaky wheel. puff, puff, wheeze, SCREECH!!!!! It wasn't a pretty site, but I got my walk in!

Once again, I award myself the NO EXCUSES AWARD! It would have been so easy to stay at home!

Day #55

I'm coming down from the stress from yesterday, but now I have a horrible head cold. I can't breathe out my nose at all, and if I stay true to form, this will all turn into a wicked sinus infection...it happens every time!

I walked to school this morning (15 minutes), and immediately after school I crashed into bed moments after arriving home. It took everything, and I mean everything to get back up and go over to the mall to take my walk. I guess that's what you call "digging deep", and let me tell you...I was digging. If I dug any deeper, I would have been able to spend some time in China! As soon as I got to the mall, I turned on my iPod to block out the world and I walked for 40 minutes.

If you're wondering why I just didn't stay at home, you aren't alone, as I was wondering the same thing as well. The reason....NO EXCUSES, so I am pleased to be the recipient of the NO EXCUSES AWARD today. In the past I would have let a head cold get in the way of my goals. I have an all or nothing personality and I just don't want to start making excuses now. I 'm sure that I haven't even hit the hard stuff yet!!

Day #54

To put it mildly, today was a very stressful day...in fact, the last few days have been tense. The reason, or I should say the main reason is my ex-husband. He has just the right knack for throwing stress balls in my direction. After many bouts of tears and arguments, it became crystal clear that I wasn't going to get an afternoon/evening walk. The makes today a wimpy walk day....fortunately I walked to school this morning! (15 minutes)

Day #53

Wow...I know every day only has 24 hours, but boy today felt long! Meetings and tons of paper work, I was so happy when it was time to go home! The weather was awful today too--rainy, cold, and nasty. Debbie met me at the mall and we walked for an hour. Of course I also walked to work this morning. (15 minutes)

I love sitting here...updating my blog, relaxing, and watching the Olympics!

Day #52

I had a great day today, but I almost missed out on taking a walk! Tom and I took a "Polly Adventure" today and drove to the Road Kill Cafe in Artemas, PA. We had a great time! On the way back home we passed through Hancock, Maryland and I noticed that the Rail Trail had been cleared off, so I suggested that we should take a walk...Tom agreed, or at least I thought he did. We started walking and had only been doing so for 7 minutes, when he asked if I was ready to head back to the car. He said he was wearing new shoes and his feet were already killing him....I grudgingly agreed to turn around. Total time: 14 minutes! Wow! Impressive!

We got home late in the afternoon and I started to work on my website almost immediately. I lost track of time, and before I knew it, the sun was starting to set! I yelled out, "Oh no, I'm going to miss my walk!" For some reason my husband thought that was hysterical, however he agreed to pick me up over by the mall. I knew I could get there while it was still light, but getting home was another story altogether.

Okay...I hit an all time low today...I had to take my walk inside of Wal-Mart because the mall closed at 6:00! What's that old saying? Ah yes, desperate times call for desperate measures! I could have easily blamed Tom for having sore feet, but that would have be too easy, so instead, I have to blame myself for losing track of time! I really hoofed it around Wal-Mart, and let me tell you, I got some interesting looks. Guess what? I don't really care! :o) Just as he promised, Pierre picked me up after I had walked for an hour.

Day #51

Debbie and I met at the mall this morning, with the goal of walking around the outside, however, icy roads pushed us back inside! Grrr! We walked for an hour and the time flew by because we laughed and talked the entire time.

Today was fun...we drove up to Pennsylvania to watch Maddie's basketball game and then we joined Debbie & Jeff, Terry & Mike, and Jeff & Kristi for dinner.

Day #50

I am officially awarding myself the No Excuses Award! Yeah for me!

I got home at a reasonable hour, but I put off my walk for hours, as I just wasn't in the mood to walk at the mall. I can honestly say that I can't stand walking there....the old me would have used this as the perfect excuse to not go, but the new me only procrastinated. I'm looking forward to the snow melting, so I can take my outdoor walks again!

I really had to work hard to change my mood today...I looked for motivational quotes and I re-read my old posts. On a positive note, this is day 5o of my walking challenge and I have walked 49 out of the last 50 days.

I finally headed to the mall at 7:00 and I walked for an hour. To beat the mall blues, I listened to my iPod the whole time!

I walked to school this morning (15 minutes)

Eat That Frog!

"Step 7 = Resolve to do something every single day that moves you toward your major goal."
~EAT THAT FROG*! 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time by Brian Tracy.

*Sorry Polly! Nothing personal!

I haven't read this book, but when I read this "rule", it made me immediately think about my walking regime. I want to do something every single day (walk) that will bring me closer to my goal. (good health)

Day #49

Debbie and I met at the mall today after school for our walk....we walked for an hour but I had NO ENERGY. Nothing hurt, but I just couldn't get moving...no clue why....hmmmm! I also walked to school this morning...which of course is a 15 minute walk.

Day #48

Today was the first day back to school...no kids...just teachers and we sat through meetings the whole time! Ugh!

I walked to work this morning, and continued to walk around the parking lot once I got there, turning my 15 minute walk into a 30 minute walk! :o)

I went to the mall late this afternoon and walked for another 45 minutes....Debbie I missed you! The mall is so boring without you! :o)

Day #47

Debbie and I walked for an hour at the mall again today...you would think I love that place--I don't! With that said, thank goodness it's only a few minutes away from the house, or I would have missed a few of my walks because of ice! Yeah for the mall...I love the mall! (Just trying to be positive!)

This is the last day of our "snow-cation"--back to work tomorrow!

Make Your Own Path!

“Travelers, there is no path, paths are made by walking.”

~Antonio Machado

Day #46

Debbie and I met at the mall this morning before the "storm" and walked for 1 hour and 15 minutes. After our walk, we headed over to Target and Debbie bought a pair of trekking poles. I'm psyched....now we just need some of this snow to melt so she can use them!

Day #45

Debbie and I met at the mall at 9:15 this morning to take our walk. We intended to walk inside, but found out that they don't open the mall early on Sunday for walkers. Unfazed, we quickly changed our plans and decided to walk around the outside of the mall......because we are flexible! LOL! The lots very clear and it made for a great walk! We walked for an hour.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Day #44

I met Debbie at the mall and we walked an hour and after we finished walking, we headed over to Subway and had lunch together. I don't trust the roads right now...the snow is melting which makes everything messy and slippery.

Day #43

Yesterday it was so easy to walk on the streets but today because of the melting snow, they have become a slippery mess! Pierre needed to work on Tom's computer, so I went with him and I did my walk on the sidewalks at Old Courthouse Square since I didn't want to walk on the roads. I walked for an hour and I sucked in plenty of exhaust fumes, but at least I didn't slip and slide!

Do You Have the Time?

Everywhere is within walking distance if you have the time.
~Steven Wright

Wow, this is so true, but most of the time we take the easy way out and hop into the car. Unfortunately we miss out on so much when we do this...exercise, serenity, thinking time, fresh air...and not to mention....going green! :o)

Day #42

I just came back inside....I trekked for 1 hour and 40 minutes today. The sky was bright blue, the sun was shining....perfect! Lots of people were outside today shoveling, and upon the third time passing one particular guy, he called out, "You're making me tired with all of that walking you're doing!" To which I replied with a smile, "You're making me tired with all of that shoveling you're doing!" Trust me I would rather be walking than shoveling, but I have done my fair share of shoveling during this storm!

I LOVE my trekking poles! Thanks Tom for such an awesome gift!

I hope this person doesn't need to drive anywhere anytime soon! :o)

Day #41

I headed out the door at 8:30 this morning and I trekked in the snow for 1 hour and 40 minutes. Although it was very windy, it was my 2nd favorite walk since the snowstorm began last Friday. I passed about 4 people walking their dogs, 2 cars, and 2 snowplows the whole time I was out there.....it was very, very peaceful...and very, very white! :o) I loved it!

Day #40

I was hoping to get my walk in this morning before the snow started...no so luck! No big deal...I walked for an hour in the snow. I headed over to BHE and used the empty parking lot as my personal walking track.

Day #39

I just got back from a really great walk. I walked over to Berkeley Heights...they are plowed out and the sidewalks are done! It looks pretty good, but parking will definitely be a problem. While there, I trekked across the front hill down to the railroad tracks and back....5x! The snow was deep-to the middle of my thigh in most places. It was a huge workout, but really fun! I kept knocking my water bottle out of my waist pack because I had to lift my leg up so high to take the next step! I walked for 1 hour and 40 minutes today!

Day #38

What a beautiful day! Keegan walked with me this afternoon for 40 minutes. We followed the path that I took yesterday, over to the school and then a big loop back home. It was so nice to spend the time with him. We didn't talk about anything earth shaking, rather, we just caught up with each others lives....I enjoyed it! When he went into the house, I continued and walked over to the mall. Once there, I used the J.C. Penney parking lot as my own personal walking track. It was awesome...a huge wall of snow, and I mean huge, provide a "walking sanctuary" and kept most cars out. J.C. Penney was on one side, and three great big walls of snow surrounded the lot. I got in a great workout! All in all...I walked for 1 1/2 hours today.

School has been already cancelled for Monday and Tuesday! :o)

Day #37

Images from my walk this afternoon... I don't think this U-Haul is going anywhere soon!



Pierre still shoveling out this morning...



Weather Report: Snow, snow, and more snow.

Breaking News: Wal-Mart is open! (chuckle, chuckle...when do they ever close?)

Wow....I can't believe all the snow we have, and it's still coming down. I left the house at 8:00 this morning and walked to Wal-Mart. It took me 41 minutes to get there and back. It was beautiful, not Wal-Mart, but rather the serene winter scene that I hiked through! When I got back, Pierre was already shoveling snow, so I got out the other shovel and shoveled for 50 minutes. We live on a corner lot and the sidewalk is long! We also shoveled our neighbor's walk. She is elderly and there's no way that she can do it herself. She stood in the doorway and watched me shovel, and yelled out thanks about 25 times...it was pretty cute!

I couldn't resist getting back outside this afternoon. The sky was bright blue and as we all know, everything was blanketed in a sea of white! It was amazing. I took a 50 minute trek with my poles through the snow. I headed over to my school and made a big loop to get back home. BHE is already being plowed out! My cheeks are still rosy red and I feel energized!

The Big Snow 2010

These pictures were taken on 2/5/10 at around 11:30 at night.

The weather forecast was calling for 20-30 inches of snow. As of Saturday morning at 11:00, we already have about 28 or 29 inches and it is still snowing very hard. They said it will continue to snow until about 5:00 tonight!

Day #36

This picture depicts the "calm before the storm"!

Debbie and I headed out early and trekked for three hours at PHF, and you guessed it, we walked up, down, over, and around! We walked up and down that hill so many times that I lost track. At one point, we started to follow deer trails, and ended up doing a lot of climbing over logs and ducking under branches. I have learned that deer are much skinnier than I am...some of their trails were VERY narrow!

It's been snowing since 10:00 this morning and we already have about 12 inches of snow. It's 10:38 on Friday night, and they are calling for snow until around 6:00 tomorrow night! My guess is that we will get 27 inches!

Day #35

First of all, the Tzatziki I made yesterday was so good with the gyros...yum! Very enjoyable!

I walked to school this morning (15 minutes), and then I rushed out of school at 3:45 after a long day of meetings so I could get my walk in. As soon as I got home, Debbie and I met for our daily walk. Today we walked for 70 minutes. It is amazing how much I needed to walk...I was so stiff from sitting in meetings all day. Walking today was the perfect cure.... it loosened me up and calmed my brain down! School is already canceled tomorrow because of the big snow storm they are calling for in our area. The snow is supposed to start falling around 10:00 Friday and continue well into Saturday night. They are predicting the snow totals to be in the 16-22 inch ballpark...give or take few inches! Debbie and I are going to meet at 8:00 and head over to PHF to get in our walk for the day.

Day #34

There was no school today because of the snow! Debbie picked me up at noon for our walk, or I should say, walks. We walked for 70 minutes and then we headed over to the store to run a few errands. When we got out of the car, we both felt really stiff for some reason, so after shopping, we headed out to walk again...this time for 15 minutes. We walked until we felt our legs loosen up a bit. Later in the afternoon I cleaned the house, sorted through some junk which I threw away (my sister motivated me!), and made dinner--chili and cornbread. I also made tzatziki, which is now in the fridge until tomorrow night. We are going to make gyros--yum! American Idol was on earlier tonight, and I have to say that all in all, it was a fantastic day.

Day #33

I bolted out of school today at 3:55 after a long day of meetings. I met Debbie (three minutes late, sorry) and we walked for an hour in the snow! The snow was fat &fluffy...beautiful! I also walked to work this morning as usual. (15 minutes) School has already been cancelled tomorrow...snow day!

Day #32

We had a two hour delay this morning, but I still walked to work (15 minutes) At the end of the day I rushed out of school so I could get to the mall in time to meet Debbie for our walk. We talked and walked for an hour....crappy surroundings...great company! :o)