Liberty

Today is the final day of my "Julie/Nancy" Project. The project I started 365 days, on a whim, after I saw the movie Julie Julia.  I really identified with the character, Julie, because I did not have the discipline to finish anything I got started. I exercised every day for a year at least 30 minutes.  I have walked, done Jillian and Biggest Loser dvd's, T-Tapp, yoga, bike riding, jogging, total gym system, pilates, and walked some more.  I exercised on Christmas day, Easter, and New Years Eve. Some days I would get it done early and some days I waited until 11:30 pm because I did not want to do it.  I have had lots of encouragement from friends and family, and without my husband helping me off the couch, I would have not accomplished my goal. Thanks to all my supporters for the love and positive support!  I have encouraged my "bestie" Cindy and together we will support each other.  Today I went for a walk with my sister and her husband, and my husband Jaryl on the Liberty trail in the National Monument of Colorado.  What a fitting name for a fitting end, Liberty.  I have liberated myself from 50 pounds, and poor health and the fact that I hate to exercise.  I accept exercise as part of my day and plan for it.  I plan to continue (my friend Cindy has thrown down the challenge) and exercise during lunch time at work for 30 minutes and snack through my lunch at my desk.  Can I go two years, maybe three without missing a day?  I will take one day at a time and plan for 30 minutes of exercise, thats all I need to focus on. I have a new "project" to work on for a year and that is to spend 30 minutes everyday learning about my camera and photography. I look forward to my new health and energy taking me on many photographic adventures and travels...

The Day Before the Final Day

It is the day before the final day and I never thought this day would come.  I could have never dreamed I would be rafting the wild Colorado River and that the whole experience would be better than sex.  I did a double Shoshone and it was exhilirating!  You might be wondering what a double Shoshone is, it is a series of whitewater rapids on a section of the Colorado River through the Glenwood Canyon and the biggest rapid is called the "Man Eater".  I survived and have pictures to prove how big the whitewater rapids were.  The "after sex" fun was when we pulled over to the side of the river and sat in some natural hot springs bubbling up and right out of the earth...It was AMAZING...better than sex I say but I don't think my husband would concur....

Sunday in Vail

Everyone should spend a Sunday in Vail, Colorado.  My sister picked us up from the airport on Saturday and we spent the night in Denver at the Aloft, what a swanky place!  Then we drove over the continental divide and stopped at Amy and Scott's place in Vail.  There I got the grand tour of her boys forts.  The whole "Peanut Butter Posse" was there to share all the details of the escape routes and secret rooms where the stratagies are planned. I did my thirty minutes in Vail observing the mountains, streams, beaver huts and wildlife.  What a wonderful way to spend my final days of my project....

3 Days WOO HOO!

I am getting on a plane today and going to visit my sister in Colorado.  It is my reward for going a full 365 days of exercising and I wanted to have my final day of the project with her.  She was here last September 14th when I started my exercise project and we saw the movie Julie Julia together.  We also did some walks together when she was here and so I wanted to be with her at the end.   I also have not been to her house for 24 years (1986) when I went to her wedding, I am so excited to go to Colorado to see her and meet all her friends that she talks about.  What a great time this is going to be!!  I did my walk/jog this morning to get it out of the way.

There Ain't No Way!

This post is dedicated to my dear friend Cindy, who thinks that she can catch me and exercise more days than I.  Well have I got news for you girlie!  I got it all under control and there ain't NO WAY you will exercise more days than me.  I will be exercising in my new fancy work place gym at lunch time!   You see, I get an hour for lunch and....I can eat at my desk, so I can exercise for at least 30 minutes, take a shower and walk back to my desk and snack lightly!   HHmmm, now how are you gonna top that!!!  As a matter of fact I did just that today, I jogged on the treadmill for 30 minutes and went 2 miles.... he,he,he

5 and Counting

Five days left and I can't believe how fast the end is approaching.  I remember clearly how big and infinite 365 felt the day I started this project.  I didn't think I would ever see 200, much less 100 and now I am down to the final 5 days!!!!  Now, the question is....do I take a break and then pick back up, or do I just keep going?  Knowing myself the way I do, and based on past behavior, it is probably better if I keep going.  I have "fallen off the wagon" before and instead of running to catch the wagon and hop back on, I sit in the road and watch it disappear.  Tonight I went for a walk in the darkness and it rained, slightly.  I thought about my project and how much I miss my dog. 

Two Birds One Stone

I rode the recumbent bike tonight and while I did my exercise, I read my photography books.  It made me kinda dizzy, reading and riding, and I did not want the sweat to drip all over my book so I finally put it down and pedaled.  I can't believe how much I sweat on that recumbent bike!

Winding Down

Well, my project is winding down and I have been carefully planning this time.  I will continue to exercise at least 30 minutes everyday.  I feel "I have to" now or my day won't be complete.  I will not blog anymore about exercise but I have created a new project for myself.  I am partially inspired by my niece who is posting a picture a day for a year but I will just be devoting 30 minutes (at least) a day to learning about my camera, aspects of great photography, and photoshop editing.  I have re-joined the Photography Club and plan to attend all their events and field trips.  I will blog about it everyday for a year.  I do love the idea of devoting myself everyday to something as discipline and blogging about it for accountability.  What a great experiment or test this has been for me to stick with it and see it through to the end, without distraction!  Tonight I went for a jog outside and I even managed to get it done early!.... progress.....

Good Walk Great Friend

Labor Day was spent cleaning my room.  As hard as I tried to prevent myself from doing any house work, it happened to be a dreary day outside and not at all pleasant for playing.  I called my friend Cindy to see if they wanted to go to dinner at the one place where I knew they would not say "No" and it worked.  So I spent the day cleaning my half of the room (no, I am not finished) and went to dinner with our best friends.  After dinner we went back to my house and while our "dears" watched football, my "bestie" and I went for a "cruise" (walk) around in a BIG rectangle (1.7 miles).  I am so glad we will be spending eternity together!

Racing the Rain

I stepped out the door today and knew it was windy, but what I didn't expect was what the wind was dragging with it.... rain clouds.  I wore a coat, with a hood and decided to go for it!  I did a fast walk(almost a jog) in an attempt to out walk the rain. I battled the wind and walked at a furious pace to finish my walk before the storm.  Did I get rained on?...

Fifty Year Old Milkshake

I went to the other side of the hill today... in Montana.  We went for a ride on the Hiawatha Trail for my 50th birthday.  I wanted to go Fit-in-2-Fifty so I decided instead of sitting around eating cake and ice cream I would have an "Activity Party".  When I first thought of this idea I was going to have a Zumba Party but when I mentioned this to a few choice friends it created rolling eyes and gnashing teeth.  I knew is was going to be on Labor Day weekend and people would have plans, so I dropped it like a hot rock.  I have always wanted to ride the trail so it was a perfect match!  I did not know what to expect for the "riding substrate" my mind imagined hardpacked dirt.   Let me just warn you it is 90% rocks and the 10% dirt is what holds the rocks together!  Needless to say, the combination of a old time rigid bike frame (no shock absorbers) with street tires made me into a milkshake ~~~~ for 15 miles......

Pack It In - Pack It On

There is a funny thing that happens in the brain when you lose a good chunk of weight.  Your brain tells you "its ok to eat that _____ ,  you lost lots of weight, its ok, enjooooy"   That is a very bad brain you have, (I have).  It is the same evil twin that tells you to "exercise later", or "you have plenty of time to get it done".  It is all just another form of,  "go ahead and EAT that!"  I hate that twin, I thought I had conquered that evil twin.  I should call this summer, "The Summer of Lost Control" because I feel like a snowball rolling down hill, gathering speed and size.  I have been packing it in and packing it on.  The smaller sizes I have bought are tighter, after all, I do this all the time... I am a pro at losing weight and gaining it right back!  The Queen, the Queen, the royal Queen she eats the food all day.... then she went for a walk...

If I am Lucky

Today was a very long day.  I spent my first full day on the phone taking calls with an assistant listening and helping me with all the right words and requests.  I was proud of myself for going all day and my brain was mushy by 5 o'clock, but I did it!  Tomorrow is Friday September 3rd and I am another day closer to turning fifty years old.  I feel absolutley certain that the next 10, 20, or 30 (if I am lucky) years will go past all to quickly.  What is a mere 30 minutes of exercise compared to 30 more years of time to learn more, play more and love more... I went for a walk tonight and it was coolish in temperature and again, moonless.

Moonless Mile

Could it be true?  Is it possible to have a moonless night?  I could not find the moon tonight.  I went out for a walk jog at 9:30 pm and it was very dark and cold.  I noticed how difficult it was to see the pavement and when I looked up the stars were bright.  I enjoyed seeing a shooting star and I also saw Venus but, I could not find the moon.  The hood was very quiet.  All the houses were closed up and everyone was inside because of the cold temperature.  I actually ended up jogging a full mile and walked a half mile.  I am very proud to have run my first mile on a moonless night.