these shoes are made for walking

I have been quite faithful lately in my morning walking and YES, I am feeling quite good about it. Of course I still haven't lost any weight (that may have something to do with the 3-4 macademia nut carmel clusters I like to eat every night!) Anyway....the weather has been gorgeous and I am enjoying getting up really early (before 6) and getting started. I see a lot of people running and I know that they are deriving a lot more benefit out of their exercise than I am but, oh well. Here's hoping I can stay with this routine.

If All Days Could Be Like This

Yesterday morning I took an extra long walk. The weather wasn't rainy (for a change!) and the air felt so good that I just kept on going and ended up having a pretty decent workout. Later, in the early evening my son thought it would be a great idea if the family went on an uphill hike to a place called Bell Canyon Reservoir. My husband and I have lived in the same area for over 20 years and have never been on that hike which is only minutes from our home. It was a perfectly beautiful evening and the hike was great, although a bit steep in places. Once we reached the summit, the view was incredible. The valley stretched out like a green velvet cape and the reservoir shone brilliantly as the sun flickered across the surface. What a day, two good workouts and two great experiences. If only all my exercise could be like that.....

Excuses, Excuses

For the past several days I have failed to get my exercise in. Any reason seemed to be good enough to omit that strenuous start to the day. One morning I was too tired because I had been to bed late the night before and felt that I needed a little more sleep. Another day it was raining softly and I was certain that the minute I stepped out for my walk a major downpour would occur. The result is that after a few days of not exercising I don't feel so great. Even if my daily exercising doesn't result in significant weight loss or greatly improved toning, the mental benefits are huge for me. I need to remind myself of that the next time I am tempted to miss a day for some lame reason.

Ten Ways To Lose Weight

1. Get focused - make the commitment (at least say you'll try)
2. Avoid all the foods you love to eat (at least that how it seems to me!)
3. Sacrifice all lunch dates with friends (who goes out to eat and always
orders just a salad with fat free dressing????
4. Don't eat anything after 6 p.m. (that's sad because nighttime is when
food tastes the very best)
5. Urge a friend to get on the weight loss program with you - misery loves
company.
6. When you go to the movies DO NOT have popcorn and milkduds with
your diet coke. (another sad scenario)
7. Walk instead of drive whenever possible (this one is actually not so
bad.
8. Eat plenty of vegetables (sorry, french fries and catsup don't count)
9. Take the stairs whenever possible (that's tough for some of us with
bad knees, but it's the price we've got to pay)
10. If the above suggestions won't work for you, cut your hair very short
and wear very light clothing.
GOOD LUCK

The Everyday Battle

Is it just my imagination or does it get harder and harder to stay in shape as one gets older? I swear I can remember eating anything and everything I wanted and not have it go directly to the waistline or the thighs. Those days are long gone and now it is a constant, daily battle. Not only is it a daily battle, it's also an uphill one, fighting gravity every inch of the way.

I so admire those I see with their regular routines, whether jogging or biking or hiking or whatever it may be. Obviously it's easier to stay with it if it becomes a habit. That's what I'm presently working on - making everyday exercise a habit. (hoping that it will counteract some of my bad habits that I'm not too inclined to give up, like cookies, chips and salsa, etc.