Sunday, September 30, 2012
Sunday Morning
My husband surprised me this morning with an awesome hike....he told me to get up, grab my camera and my hiking shoes and let's go...he did let me get half a cup of coffee in, and guess what? It was well worth it!
Friday, September 28, 2012
Bonuses for the Photographer in Me!
In the past few weeks, I have continued on with my treadmill, not missing a single day!! Yeah!! However, my favorite days are those where I can sneak off to do the steps or walk around Fumee in addition to the treadmill. I have increased the steps to going up once, back down the steep part, back up and down, or up and then walk around the several miles from the top back to the bottom parking area. The walk around Fumee, the complete small and large lake, which a friend mapped out to 6.78 miles, is also a quick second favorite. Last Monday, I actually did the steps, then not wanting to head indoors on what was as beautiful a fall day as one could wish for, I also did a modified walk at Fumee, which included the small lake and part of the large.
With the stunning fall weather that has arrived where I live in northern Wisconsin and neighboring area, the UP of Michigan, also means lots of opportunities for capturing fall in all its glory. I do not always take my DSLR with me when I walk, but thankfully, the camera on my iPhone 4 is worthy of a qucik snapshot here an there.
With the stunning fall weather that has arrived where I live in northern Wisconsin and neighboring area, the UP of Michigan, also means lots of opportunities for capturing fall in all its glory. I do not always take my DSLR with me when I walk, but thankfully, the camera on my iPhone 4 is worthy of a qucik snapshot here an there.
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Even when the Unexpected Happens
This week was successful in many ways. I accomplished not only the steps, but on the one day that I did do them, Friday, and my birthday no less, I also walked from the top, back to the parking area below, the long way around, approx. 2.7 miles. I had the company of a good friend too, so positives all around. Along with the treadmill and the weight routine I now do each day, it was a great feeling.
On Saturday, I walked the Fumee Lake Nature Area with my husband. Which brings me to the unexpected happenings...I am so very thankful that I had my husband to walk with me...thankful that I had my husband, period!
Bright and early Monday morning, I got a phone call that could very well have changed my life and not just interrupted my week. The call came at 5am...my husband had totalled his truck on the way to work, in a head on collission with a MOOSE! A very large bull moose no less.
My oldest son was catching a ride to work with him that day, so he happened to be snoozing in the passenger seat next to my husband. Out of nowhere, they went from going down the road to having an approximately 1200 lb moose slamming up across the front of the truck, leaving them showered with shattered glass, a few minor cuts and one slightly injured wrist. All very minor injuries. The truck did not fare so well, but trucks can be replaced.
The biologist who oeversees the herd in the area where my husband was working, later told him that in her career, the numbers average 98% fatality rate for the unfortunate few who happen to collide with one of these massive animals. 98% chance of being killed...they thankfully were the 2%!
So my schedule for walking the steps was not as busy this past week as I had planned, but that is ok...even when the unexpected happens...life thankfully, oh so very thankfully, goes on!
On Saturday, I walked the Fumee Lake Nature Area with my husband. Which brings me to the unexpected happenings...I am so very thankful that I had my husband to walk with me...thankful that I had my husband, period!
Bright and early Monday morning, I got a phone call that could very well have changed my life and not just interrupted my week. The call came at 5am...my husband had totalled his truck on the way to work, in a head on collission with a MOOSE! A very large bull moose no less.
My oldest son was catching a ride to work with him that day, so he happened to be snoozing in the passenger seat next to my husband. Out of nowhere, they went from going down the road to having an approximately 1200 lb moose slamming up across the front of the truck, leaving them showered with shattered glass, a few minor cuts and one slightly injured wrist. All very minor injuries. The truck did not fare so well, but trucks can be replaced.
The biologist who oeversees the herd in the area where my husband was working, later told him that in her career, the numbers average 98% fatality rate for the unfortunate few who happen to collide with one of these massive animals. 98% chance of being killed...they thankfully were the 2%!
So my schedule for walking the steps was not as busy this past week as I had planned, but that is ok...even when the unexpected happens...life thankfully, oh so very thankfully, goes on!
Friday, September 7, 2012
From Fog to Sun to Rain
I finished off this week with accomplishing the steps three times. Tuesday in the early morning fog, Thursday in the midday sun, and today, Friday, in the downpouring rain. Yeah!!!
If I had to pick a favorite of the three, well, that would be hard. I enjoyed the rain today...cool and refreshing, and good company. The midday sun was quite the workout, but my best friend drove into town from over an hour away to walk them with me, and we followed up with a trip to lunch (an awesome salad with curry dressing on the side...let me just say YUMMY!!) at the WhiteHouse in Iron Mountain Michigan. The fog was sort of fun to walk and talk in, though the drive off my road in the thick fog was NOT!
I am still struggling with my breathing a bit... though I went with a friend each of these three times and we gabbed all the way to the top each time, lol! So I guess I should make an addendum to my goals, that being able to walk and TALK and not get totally out of breath.
Not sure if I will fit in the steps this weekend at all, though I am hoping to con my husband into a quick trip up to do them. Plans are being made for next week though.
Not sure if I mentioned it before, but I am also doing a short stint with the weightbench each morning now too. My son walked me through how to change out the weight limit and I do a set amount of reps with both my arms and my legs. I have also added some new stretches, and this has made a world of difference on how my legs feel after my workouts. I was having some lower shin pain and the stretches along with a new pair of shoes, specifically for walking and working out, has helped TREMENDOUSLY!!
If I had to pick a favorite of the three, well, that would be hard. I enjoyed the rain today...cool and refreshing, and good company. The midday sun was quite the workout, but my best friend drove into town from over an hour away to walk them with me, and we followed up with a trip to lunch (an awesome salad with curry dressing on the side...let me just say YUMMY!!) at the WhiteHouse in Iron Mountain Michigan. The fog was sort of fun to walk and talk in, though the drive off my road in the thick fog was NOT!
I am still struggling with my breathing a bit... though I went with a friend each of these three times and we gabbed all the way to the top each time, lol! So I guess I should make an addendum to my goals, that being able to walk and TALK and not get totally out of breath.
Not sure if I will fit in the steps this weekend at all, though I am hoping to con my husband into a quick trip up to do them. Plans are being made for next week though.
Not sure if I mentioned it before, but I am also doing a short stint with the weightbench each morning now too. My son walked me through how to change out the weight limit and I do a set amount of reps with both my arms and my legs. I have also added some new stretches, and this has made a world of difference on how my legs feel after my workouts. I was having some lower shin pain and the stretches along with a new pair of shoes, specifically for walking and working out, has helped TREMENDOUSLY!!
ME IN THE RAIN
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Fall Weather
I am getting closer to my goal of 8,001 steps! My daily count is now 7,500 and I have also been continuing on my goal of walking the Pine Mountain Steps a couple of times a week. I walked them Tuesday morning with a good friend, and am walking them with her again tomorrow. I have to drive into Iron Mountain today also, so my plan is to sneak in a quick walk today too.
The weather here is showing definite signs of fall...cooler overnight with slightly chilly mornings, which make for good walking/stepping outdoors. This was the view from the bottom of the hill Tuesday morning
The weather here is showing definite signs of fall...cooler overnight with slightly chilly mornings, which make for good walking/stepping outdoors. This was the view from the bottom of the hill Tuesday morning
Saturday, September 1, 2012
One Step Closer
My husband and I walked the steps at Pine Mountain yesterday evening. AMAZING! That is the word that described how I felt when I got to the top this time and also the word I used for the view...well worth the walk up those steps.
On days like yesterday, when I complete both my daily workout (now over 7000 steps each day) and something extra, such as the Pine Steps, I am starting to understand how much my body and my personal 'me' has been craving this. I...FEEL...SO...MUCH...BETTER!! I have a long way to go to get towards my goal weight, but I will get there.
I plan to keep my walks up the steps to a single walk up and down for now, but hopefully yet this fall, I can increase my stamina enough to go up at least twice during a single visit. One guy went up and down them three times while we were there...I am sure his heart thanks him immensely, lol!
I am going to keep this post short on words, but share a few photos I captured last night...if you are anywhere near my location, and want to add that something extra to your workouts...here you go!
On days like yesterday, when I complete both my daily workout (now over 7000 steps each day) and something extra, such as the Pine Steps, I am starting to understand how much my body and my personal 'me' has been craving this. I...FEEL...SO...MUCH...BETTER!! I have a long way to go to get towards my goal weight, but I will get there.
I plan to keep my walks up the steps to a single walk up and down for now, but hopefully yet this fall, I can increase my stamina enough to go up at least twice during a single visit. One guy went up and down them three times while we were there...I am sure his heart thanks him immensely, lol!
I am going to keep this post short on words, but share a few photos I captured last night...if you are anywhere near my location, and want to add that something extra to your workouts...here you go!
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