In the Event of an Emergency, Please Take the Stairs

Perhaps the truth depends on a walk around the lake.

~Wallace Stevens

Still taking the stairs. Ice, cold, cold, ice. Actually the past two days (and again today) I've been hiking around the university campus with Allison. Its orientation and w'eve had places to go and people to see. Yesterday we parked at the top of the parking structure and walked down five flights and then of course, back up again. We probably logged a good mile in between. Continuing the stairs here at home too. Really being good in my food choices. Proud of that. Feeling a little less in the pants. That's nice too. Over all, doing ok and sticking to the plan.

Sunday Go To Meeting

My father considered a walk among the mountains

as the equivalent of churchgoing.

~Aldous Huxley

If the above statement is true than I'm going to church this weekend. Off to the mountains for a weekend scraping retreat. Off to nature and creativity. Off to think about and care for only me. Off to enjoy the company of likeminded individuals. Its good for the soul.

Ain't That the Truth?

Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time.

~Steven Wright

This quote reminds me of a story about my Great Grandfather. He bought farm land outside of town and built a house, barn and all the outbuildings himself, with the help of his sons. He and my greatgrandmother had 16 children. During the week my great grandfather would walk 10 miles to town to his other job. He walked because he didn't want to pay the board the horses. He would stay in town all week to work and then on the weekend he'd walk the 10 miles back to the farm, carrying food and supplies for the family on his back. In winter he'd slog through high snow drifts to make it home. Once he became lost and had to break into a building for the night. He left a note and what little money he had in the building for the owner to find. The money was to repair the damage he caused while breaking in. He walked to town for several years to work in order to provide for his large family while the farm grew and became productive. What strength of character. What determination. What willpower. It shames me to think that there are times when I think, "its just too far" or "I'm just too tired". Honestly. What crap. So I keep great grandpa's spirit in my head and heart so that I'll remember how easy my life is.

Hump Day

Me thinks that the moment my legs begin to move,

my thoughts begin to flow.

~Henry David Thoreau

This is a crazy week. I have a friend coming to visit tomorrow. I haven't seen her for over 12 years. I'm beyond excited. I've also been beyond busy getting ready for her visit and then our trip together to a weekend retreat. I can hardly stand myself for the excitement. Surely all this vibrating is expending some calories every day. I have had to do the stairs every day lately. Major storm front and bone chilling temperatures with slick road conditions means no outside activity right now. That's ok. I'll cope. I have been making extremely good food choices. As of yesterday I had not had a speck of refined sugar since Jan. 1. Last night I decided to treat myself to one small, small scoop of ice cream. I love ice cream, but guess what? I didn't enjoy the scoop. I really didn't. Isn't that odd? I don't feel the need to eat the entire bucket. I'm quite pleased with that discovery. I was hoping that this weekend my friend and I could go cross coutry skiing or snowshoeing. We'll just have to play that by ear. She's coming from CA and not only is our artic chill going to be a trial for her system, but the altitude will surely do her in if we get very vigorous in our activities. I'm ok either way. I'm letting go. I've reached a place in my mind where I just do what feels right. I'm making as many smart choices as I can and letting the rest go.

America's Get Fit Program

I only went out for a walk

and finally concluded to stay out till sundown,

for going out, I found, was really going in.

~John Muir, 1913, in L.M. Wolfe, ed.,

John Muir, John of the Mountains:

The Unpublished Journals of John Muir, 1938

Have you been here---->Parade All-America Get Fit Program.

I Do It To Myself

A vigorous five-mile walk

will do more good for an unhappy but otherwise healthy adult

than all the medicine and psychology in the world.

~Paul Dudley White

I don't know why I should be surprised. I live in the Mountain west. It is January. I've lived in this environment off and on for most of my life. It snows in Jan. It even rains and then freezes in Jan. It gets windy and cold in Jan. It always does and God willing it always will. Deal, girl. Deal with it. So I'm dealing. I'm on day six of my path to fitness. I've had two good walks and I've resorted to using the stairs the other days. I'm also laughing because the whole week of Christmas the weather was so unseasonably warm and mild. What did I do during that time? Sat on my fluffy rear end and relaxed. I enjoyed every minute of it too. But of course now I'm pumped to make the change and old Mother Nature has other plans. Since I don't have to work today, I can sit at the living room window with my nose pressed to the pane and watch for any sign of a break in the weather. Today we were served pea soup. Thick, heavy and dangerous to be out walking on the roadside in. But the first sign of clearing and I'm out the door.

Update: I made it to the mailbox (3 blocks total) and back. Gale force winds, sideways snow, bitter cold and I suffered every step. I consoled myself with the thought that I must have expended at least 500 calories just keeping my body temperature out of the hypothermic range. Right? I did do the stairs. 15 sets throughout the day. And I moved two very heavy pieces of furniture. As Scarlett said "tomorrow is another day."

The Water's Fine

If you are seeking creative ideas, go out walking.

Angels whisper to a man when he goes for a walk.

~Raymond Inmon

Let's talk about water. Fresh, clear, cold water. They all tell you that drinking water is one of the most important things you can do to lose weight. Have you ever wondered why? Well, I have the answers; provided by caloriesperhour.com.

Drinking Water Is Important for Weight Loss
There are many reasons why it is important to drink water, especially if you are dieting:
Initial weight loss is largely due to loss of water, and you need to drink an adequate amount of water in order to avoid dehydration.
The process of burning calories requires an adequate supply of water in order to function efficiently; dehydration slows down the fat-burning process.
Burning calories creates toxins (think of the exhaust coming out of your car), and water plays a vital role in flushing them out of your body.
Dehydration causes a reduction in blood volume; a reduction in blood volume causes a reduction in the supply of oxygen to your muscles; and a reduction in the supply of oxygen to your muscles can make you feel tired.
Water helps maintain muscle tone by assisting muscles in their ability to contract, and it lubricates your joints. Proper hydration can help reduce muscle and joint soreness when exercising.
A healthy (weight loss) diet includes a good amount of fiber. But while fiber is normally helpful to your digestive system, without adequate fluids it can cause constipation instead of helping to eliminate it.
Drinking water with a meal may make you feel full sooner and therefore satisfied eating less. Note, however, that drinking water alone may not have this effect. In order to feel satiated (not hungry), our bodies need bulk, calories and nutrients.

How Much Water Should I Drink?
You have probably heard that you should drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day. How much water you actually need depends on your weight, level of activity, the temperature and humidity of your environment, and your diet. Your diet makes a difference because if you eat plenty of water-dense foods like fruits and vegetables your need to drink water will be diminished.
You can do some research and use a calculator and measuring cup if you like, but nature's pretty good at letting you know the right amount to drink. When you drink enough water, your urine will usually be pale yellow, though vitamin supplements and antibiotics can discolor it. On the other hand, you shouldn't need to run to the bathroom too frequently. When in doubt, drink a little more.
Do not worry that drinking water will give your body a bloated look. There are a number of causes of water retention, including consuming too much salt. But drinking water is not one of them.
It is possible to harm yourself by drinking too much water, but it takes quite an effort. Either through obsessive-compulsive behavior or extended athletic activity, drinking large amounts of water can dilute the electrolytes (sodium and potassium) in your blood to the point that it interferes with brain, heart and muscle function. Athletes compound the problem with the loss of sodium (salt) through sweating, but can drink electrolyte replacement drinks like Gatorade Endurance Formula to help keep things in balance.

Tips on Drinking Water
Drinking other liquids also provides your body with a source of water, but note that diuretics cause your body to expel water. Diuretics include caffeinated drinks (coffee, tea and soda) and alcohol. When drinking diuretics, drink more water to compensate.
When drinking alcohol, drinking water along with it as well as before and afterward may eliminate a hangover headache and feeling of tiredness. The water is optional; driving is not.
When you feel thirsty, you are already dehydrated. Try to avoid this situation by drinking in advance. Be especially careful when participating in activities where you won't be able to stop to get caught up.
You've heard countless advertisements telling you what product to start your day with. We recommend a couple of glasses of water to rehydrate your body. No charge.

Walking journal for Jan. 5, 2007

Snow, cold, wind, ice. Hmmm, wonder what my work out will look like today. I think more stairs are in my immediate future. I also have to work today. The first work day since Dec. 22. How much does that suck? I don't know which is worse; too short a weekend or too long a vacation. Anyway, my morning is considerably shorter today then it has been and with the outdoor condidtions what they are, I'll be taking the stairs. I'll report back when I'm done. It might take all day; off and on. Update: it did take all day. 15 sets of stairs and buzzing around the restaurant today. I guess that will have to do. No work tomorrow. I'll aim for 25 sets, if not a walk. The weather is crappy and could be that way for a few more days.