Walking the Neighborhood

One of the joys of living on the Crown of Queen Anne Hill is that as long as I stay on or within the crown, I'm pretty much on level terrain. Any diversions and it is one steep downhill incline! (Not to mention the joys of returning straight uphill.) Today, with the sun out and the temperatures not too unpleasant, I decided to traverse the top of the hill and explore my neighborhood rather than go to an indoor pool for water aerobics. Always good to change up the old exercise routine.

I max out at about three miles of continuous walking, and I can keep a fairly steady 2.5 MPH pace. This affords me enough exertion to make an impact but not so much as to cause me stress. I prefer to recover in one day, not two or three.

After having a bad experience the last time I did a major (for me) walk, I have learned an important lesson: I must remember to rehydrate and consume a few calories or I risk fainting. My solution this time was simple: stop at Starbucks for a nice iced decaf tea and a quick check of emails at about the 1.3 mile post. Then at Ken's, around the 2 mile mark, buy a Six Strawberries scrumptious blueberry lemonade artisan ice pop, savor it slowly while sitting outside, and then buy a few supplies and tackle the last half mile.

This plan worked like a charm, and it has encouraged me to try other walks on and even down the hill. I do believe that rewarding myself with a special beverage and a tasty bite or perhaps some sushi will spur me on to try out some new routes. Healthy foods make great motivators for me!

Traveling and Health

I just returned from a wonderfully rejuvenating, fun visit with all my crazy cousins and sibs back in the Chicagoland area. This was a short reunion of all 10 of us, and since I'm one of the "babies," it didn't surprise me that many conversations centered around our health (or the failing thereof). 

I traveled back and forth between Seattle to Chicago by Amtrak, luxuriating in my own little first-class roomette on The Empire Builder. This route features spectacular scenery, and the service on the train both ways was top-notch. What pleased me about the whole trip, including the train travel, was that I maintained my healthy lifestyle even though I had little control over my dietary options. My good health habits that I have developed over the past two years are in fact, just that: HABITS! I didn't have to dwell on food decisions. I simply did what is now the norm for me, and that was just fine. Did I splurge on some extra special treats? Of course. Did I then fall prey to the "Oh, what the hell, I've blown it anyway" mode and binge afterward? No. Didn't do it, didn't want to do it. 

I am in my last phase of losing weight and will soon transition to maintaining weight. I get the feeling I am not going to be making any real changes except adjusting my calories. I intend to do that gradually, perhaps adding a small amount each week until I get to a good stopping point. This will keep me from panicking and thinking that I am "off" somehow or disrupting my routines too much. 

I honestly don't care if it takes three months or six months to lose the last 12 pounds. That's not the magic goal for me any longer. I just want good health for life.

63 and Loving Life

Today, on my 63rd birthday, I am healthier and happier than I have been in many years. I've now dropped 105 pounds, am eating sensibly and enjoying it more, and I am finding ways to keep active and control pain better. Best of all, I have great friends and family all over the world, so I can think of nothing more I really need or want for a birthday present. Even the sun has been shining and the rain has not fallen today, as if to say Happy Birthday to me. (sounds a bit narcissistic, but meant to be poetic in nature) :-)