meet fred.

I met Fred at the Sheetz station. His shape made him attractive. (I'm teaching package design this term!) He's basic spring water, and way over-priced. But I didn't care. How many times can you drive down the street looking like your drinking vodka from the bottle?

The back says "Hello. I'm Fred. Aquarius. Velvety smooth and easy to hold. (It is shaped like a bottle of Jack after all.) I'm your daily allowance of awesome in a fully recyclable package and I'm born in the USA. Find me. Friend Me. Follow me. ..."

But he really isn't car friendly. He doesn't fit in the cup holder!

The spring water is from New York, but the company is from California.

Clearly this water was purchase for the bottle and design. Not the content. It was better than tap water, but no better than say Deep Park. Not worth the extra money. Unless your a graphic designer.

l.l. beam

Stopped at L.L. Beam today on the way home from Betsy's. I wanted to check out walking sticks. I have been searching on line, and they give me ton's of information, but frankly it might as well be in Chinese.

I got derailed looking a snowshoes, and the clerk asked "Would you like some help with snowshoes?" I said no, I came for hiking sticks. They were in the next section.

I went to pick one up to look at it, and he said "No." And in the kindest way possible he told me that heavier people needed this type, with the locking adjustment, not the screw like adjustment.

I asked why. Because the screw style is not stable enough to hold the weight if you fall. It will collapse.

Of course, these at $79. (20% off till Sunday.) But they are a pair, instead of one stick. With cork handles, so they won't get all sweaty. For slightly more I could get the all season ones. A good idea if I'm thinking about snowshoeing.

Speaking of snowshoes, this is their basic model.  First thing you do is get on a scale and find your side. I was right on the line between 21 and 25.

Below is the basic model. (Again, 20% off.) They run about $100. And have detailed instructions on how to adjust them. I'd prefer if someone would do it for me.

But before I buy, I must rent a couple times. Don't want to waste money.

it's beginning to look a lot like christmas

Today we went walking in Betsy's neighborhood, and many people are decorating for Christmas. The reindeer seem really happy. It's fun seeing what is put out. But then, I like Bill White Christmas tour.

We did our regular loop around the development, around the synagogue, and around the middle school.

Next week I have to pick up my Christmas greens from the girl scout sale, so I'm going to see if the others want to walk in Betsy's neighborhood.

snowshoeing?

 I love snow. Regular reader are saying, there she goes again, snow, snow, snow. That little wet snow has given me the winter itch. Can't help it.

It must be karma, because today I received my Volkssport newsletter and in it was a snowshoeing adventure in Vermont. A $500 bus trip. Sadly you'd spend two days on the bus, and two days in the snow. Not my idea of a good time. Plus I'd have to miss some work. Not a good idea.

So while my students were working on their projects and I was killing time till the next question, I looked up snowshoeing on line. The rail trails will be a great place to do it, but I'm a klutz (regular readers know that as well!) I want some instruction.

My search lead me to the LLBean Center Valley Outing Group. They have all kinds of cool adventures. (Of which the equipment you can purchase at their stores.) Last night was snowshoing basics. My timing is off. I couldn't have gone anyway, I had class. So far there is no group outing, but we'll see. I signed up on their meet-up page and became part of the group. I think I'll go to the book club meeting. An odd activity for a outdoor group, but at least I'll meet people. These shoes run in the hundreds of dollars. I'd need to rent first. Maybe the ski places?

I found a first-timers article/video in Snowshoeing Magazine. I'll have to give it a read when I get time. It's also where I borrowed the pix.

We'll see what happens.

Now what's really odd is after class I went to check FB, and Lydia is posting all about snowshoeing on her bariatric page. Coincidence? Perhaps. Or maybe the angel spiked the snow with some sort of snowshoeing fairy dust.

We'll see.

a walk in the snow.

It's snowing. Too bad you can't see my happy dance.

I love snow. Even more now that I only have to shovel one walk.

So we decided to walk today at lunchtime in the snow. Then go to the benefits fair at the college center. We mostly went for lunch. Savory root slaw with carrots, rutabaga, turnips, celery root and daikon radishes. No sugar in this dressing. I could have ate the whole bowl. There was also couscous and barley salad with spinach, and mushroom, tomato, mozz, carmelized onions and basil on a pretzel rolls. No sugar in anything. I have to trust them on that. They gave me recipes, not nutrition facts.

We ate, and walked around. Since I'm part time, I don't need to talk about bennies. I have none. The line was long for BP. But I just did that Tuesday at the doctor. So I'm fine. Usually I wouldn't turn down that opportunity. Those of us without health insurance take whatever we can get for free.

Warren Hospital was doing Hologic Heel screenings. It tests for Osteoporotic and Osterpenic. They put my foot in this contraption, strapped it down and it told me I was normal—.07. Frances Hendricks' daughter is nether osteoporotic and osterpenic—I got her arthritis and her high blood pressure, but not her crappy bones. Glory be.

I don't know how long we were walking—we took the scenic route back—but we finally did come back to work.

We didn't walk especially fast, it was quite slippery and neither of us had the correct shoes on. My right shoe, actually, has a leak. Time for a walk to the show repair!

what I've learned over the past 18 days

The "No Sugar" challenge ends on Friday. What have I learned? Nothing. Everything.

The week before the challenge started, I warned my family and colleagues that I'd be a raving b*tch for the next 21 days. "Please don't take it personally", I told them. But I wasn't. I wasn't even missing sugar laden foods. I did discover that waffles without sugar are gross, but not non-eatable.

And that there's a reason peanut butter and jelly go together. But was I jonesing for a PB&J? No. Not at all. That was not the case two years ago when I was taming the soda-beast.

I cook a lot from scratch, and shop at the pop-up farmers markets, so hidden sugar is not as big of a problem as I thought it would be. But checking the sugar content takes two more seconds after checking the salt content. No biggie. Though I wonder what the safe percentage is. For sodium I try to keep it under 5%, but no higher than 10% on processed food. On the Livestrong website I read 300 grams of added sugar a day. That isn't much, I don't think. If I did the math right that's 1.5% daily in a 2000 calorie diet.

I have learned that I am not addicted to sugar. Hallelujah. Just food in general. Sh*t. I think I had that epiphany before. But I ignore it. I blame other things. There-in lies the problem. Classic addictive personality. Blame everything but the true cause. You.

Why am I surprised? Addictive personalities run in my family. We are a family of drunks—my dad, my brother, two sisters… Food is my drug of choice. I don't eat to sustain. I eat because I'm bored. Or stressed. Or happy. Or sad. or pissed. Clearly I'm an emotional eater. But even worse, I eat until there is nothing left. If you gave me 5 M&M's I'd eat them and be happy. But if you put an entire pound bag in front of me. I'd eat them all. Not at once. But over the course of the day. I don't eat till I'm full. I eat till it's gone.

I believe, intellectually anyway, of the "everything in moderation style of eating".  80% good food / 20% not so good. There is little I won't eat, and even less that I will try, at least once. (Malyasian food Saturday!) Growing up I was 40 pounds underweight. Now I'm 80 or so overweight. I have a basic knowledge of nutrition. I studied vegetarian and even vegan diets and can cook (poorly, mind you) for any food situation that crops up. I learned as a child to can and freeze and eat fresh. My mother made Hamburger Helper once. Boxed food was expensive and we didn't have money. But we did have lots of carbs. They filled you up. And veggies and a salad every night. Okay, it was slathered with dressing, but that's beside the point. Really not much different than the "My Plate" guide lines. But our protein was always meat.

Sorry, I tend to go off track. Never can figure out how to weave in the back story.

Back to the topic at hand. How did this no sugar-challenge effect me. Snacking. I pretty much had to stopped snacking. There was nothing in the vending machine I could eat. I drank huge amounts of water. Right now it has pomegranate seeds in it. Fruit, floating in your water makes it seem more special. I'm also drinking apple cider because it's in season. And even bought orange juice for the first time in forever.

I am eating much more fat. Which is worse, fat or sugar? I had pretty much given up eating bread with butter on it, instead subbing cinnamon sugar or jam. Now I'm back to butter. Whenever I try and overhaul my eating lifestyle, breakfast is always trouble. Reality check here. Cooking breakfast during the week, and leaving for work at 6:30 am is not happening.

The doctor said I gained weight. I was hoping to lose. I am clearly eating less. In an effort to avoid sugar, am I eating worse?

Was I 100% sugar free during the 21-Day challenge. Nope. But I was more than 90%. I ate fruit tart on Thanksgiving. I had ice cream one night out of habit, not hunger. There were other minor slips. But it is what it is. I did it.

The question is now, can I continue to restrict, not eliminate, sugar? Diabetes runs in this family also.

canal street park heritage trail

Lydia, Sharon and I went walking today in Northampton. (Bonnie was on her way back from the wedding.)

I thought we should check out the Canal path and head toward Catty. But the web said that trail was unfinished. So then I thought we'd head to Walnutport.

We picked up Lyd at her place and she mentioned on her way into town she wanted to stop at the Siegfried train station to take pixs. It is her name after all. So we did. But instead of going to the trail head many blocks away, we just went across the street, and picked up the Canal Street Heritage Park Trail. It's exactly 1 mile long. It says start and end. And is marked every quarter mile. Sadly, it does not have any signs talking about the heritage.

It does, however, have one of the exercise courses on it. I tried a few things but the metal was really cold! Near the end of the trail was a playground. We hit that on the way back.

After the "end" post, we saw the D&L marker.  One side shows the mileage to Allentown, the other to Walnutport. Walnutport might be a good training route for later in the summer before the next half marathon.

We left Sharon there and she headed to the playground to wait for us.

The path continued to a footbridge over the Hokey Creek, and then the trail was totally ungroomed. It was pretty clear, I think because it is used heavily. But it's clearly unfinished.

We walked a little longer then turned around and headed for the park. These "little" girls like swings! And it's a full body workout. If you haven't tried since you were 10, give it a try. It burns about 200 calories an hour. I don't think I can last 15 minutes!

 We played 10-15 minutes, and then headed back towards the car. Total mileage about 3 miles. Mybe a little more.

When we were leaving the Tri-Boro Rod and Gun Club was advertising an ugly sweater 5K on Dec. 8. Sounds like fun. But I think you need to be a member. Couldn't find much online. Though there is one in Louisville.

turkey trot 5k

This is the third year, maybe the fourth that I've done this race. Another hilly course. About 1200 people participate.

I'm not sure what my finish time was. I crossed the line at a little over 53 minutes. However, we were at the back of the pack, so that time can be as much as 5 minutes off. Lydia finished in her best time ever, no matter what. 55.2. And she didn't stop on any hills. Yeah.

We parked in front of the Moravian Book Store in the new fancy angle spaces. They are pretty wide, so it wasn't as tough as I thought. But I parked crooked, and had to redo it. We put $2 into the meter. After the race, we still had 15 minutes left and could go to the bookstore.


We walked down to the Lucken-
bach Mill and it was cold down there. Finally we moved to the sun and it was better. Lots of people in crazy hats, and Santa Claus too. Not the mall Santa, the real one. With a long white beard, a hat, red LL Beam jacket and jean. Mrs Claus was running. He was a good sport and dealt with all the kids who yelled "there's Santa!". See I told you he was real.

The people above had crazy hats and tee's. They got into order so I could read their shirts:

Five fat turkeys are we
We slept all night in a tree
When the cook came around
We couldn't be found
And that's why we're RUNNING, you see

Turns out it's a preschool song with multiple verses.

Finally it was time to start. The runners head out, and they just keep coming from nowhere. Finally our section started to move. Lyd and I stayed together to Main Street and then I moved ahead. The route was the same as last year.

When I arrived at the bridge the first place runner was coming. I bet it was under 15 minutes. He was flying.

No water stop this year. I was disappointed. I count on it.

Bonnie will still be away tomorrow, so I think we'll walk in Northampton.

-----------

Update

The times are posted. Well, Lydia's time is. I'm not on the list at all. Maybe my timing chip was busted. There was at least 25 people behind her.

Looks like she finished 2.10 before her clock time. So I guess that puts me at about 51 minutes, just like Thursday.

picking up race packets

Betsy opted for Black Friday shopping with her daughter, so I walked alone today. I needed to pick up our race packets for the Turkey Trot at the Luckenbach Mill.

What is a race packet? It's usually a plastic bag with your bib, pins, t-shirt and a lot of crap from the sponsors. Sometimes you get a granola bar, or some Mike and Ikes, but it's basically worthless stuff. You come home and recycle the bulk of it.

The mill was busy when I got there, and when they found me I was on the list four times! They asked if I registered online and I said no. I did it the old fashion way with a check. I have no idea what''s happening.

So I decided I wanted to walk home the Fahy Bridge. There was a sign I wanted to take a photo of. When I arrived in town, the Christmas Village was set up, and suddenly the walk turned into a photo essay.

If you know Bethlehem, You'll be able to follow my path. Sorry, the sun was in my way in many photos. Should have left earlier.

 The new star in the middle of Main Street. Traffic was a nightmare as they built it.

 Several groups were playing Christmas music on the corners.

 Christmas Village. Just like in NYC. Three areas of downtown.

 The city tree and nativity. Sorry about the sun.

 The mayor's tree. Decorations made by school kids. Clearly they needed a ladder.

 Overlooking the Fahy Bridge.

 Someone lost their bear.

 Japanese garden

 Ghost bike.

 It's a bridge. Yes, they want you to walk in the street. It's safer than the sidewalks.

 Under the bridge.

 Adams Street.

 The up and down 5 & 10.

 Massage parlor.

Old firehouse, now a bar.

Redbox at Ahart's. Wanted a movie. Couldn't make it work. It didn't like my card. I miss video stores.

pumpkin pie 5k

When I talked to Bonnie last night, she said "there's no blog post on our adventure today." Duh. I was a little busy cooking Thanksgiving dinner, and picking up college students and trying to entertain. (Both the cooking and entertaining genes skipped me. I'm horrible at both.) Thank goodness my sister-in-law was invited. She bailed me out, and the food was not ruined. Just really late.

The Pumpkin Pie 5K is held in Nazareth and sponsored by the Y. Bonnie is no longer registering ahead of time, because she often can't go. We left early so she could sign up. This year we parked on Main Street, about five blocks away. Much better than last year. They have a 5K run and a 1.5K walk. We crashed the run.

I forgot my camera, so Bonnie took pixs of the people in costume on her phone. There was Indians and turkeys and pilgrims, and other silly outfits and hats. How they could run in some of them is beyond me.

It's a hilly course, big hills, little hills. I do poorly on hills, and the techniques I learned at the workshop don't work on hills. At the split, where walkers turned right and runners went straight thru, there was almost a traffic incident. The silly cop/volunteer thought everybody was turning! Many of us went straight. He had restarted traffic. Thank goodness he quickly saw the errors of his ways.

Right from the start Bonnie blew past me. Then I caught up on a downhill, and lost her again, caught up and lost her ... At one point, as we were going around the high school she walked backwards and I still couldn't catch her. Then she went into her finish line sprint and finished a good minute ahead of me.

Because of the timing chips, my clock time of 51:02 was adjusted to 50:38.2. It took nearly 25 seconds to cross the start line. I place 20th of 20 in my age group. What a surprise. However, I was 835th place over all out of 840 registrants. Five people finished after me!

I don't understand with all the walking I do, and reasonable good health, I don't get better at this. If Bonnie had time to train, she'd finish 10 minutes ahead. It must be focus.

Tomorrow is the Turkey Trot. Lydia and I will be doing that. Bonnie has a wedding tomorrow.  It benefits Historic Bethlehem.

Last year, I did four events in four days. This year I'm only doing two—The Pumpkin Pie and the Turkey Trot. I haven't heard anything about The Run For Joan. It was poorly attended, so maybe they aren't doing it. The other is the Hershey volkssport event. It's actually five different events ranging from 5K to 42K. But both Bonnie and Lyd have to work, and I don't want to drive all the way to Hershey to walk alone.

This morning I signed up for the Committment Day 5K on New Years Day in Philly. People in 30 cities "are making a commitment to live a healthy lifestyle" on January 1, 2013. When I first discovered it, I "liked" the page on Facebook. Today they posted a black Friday promo code which cut the entry fee in half. Hey Megs, there's one in Cinnci.


Yesterday, at dinner, I blew my sugar fast. I ate both fruit tart, and a scone with clotted cream that Belle made. Today, I'm back on track.

it's about time!

I teach at the local community college. When I arrived today I thought the water fountain was busted. It wasn't. They added a bottle/cup filling adapter. I'm so happy I could dance.

The water fountain left you fill anything, maybe 1/3 of the way. The bathroom faucets are on timers and they give maybe 5 seconds of hot water.

Update to yesterday's post.

The day didn't get any worse. But I did eat ice cream when I got home at 9:30. After stress eating, instead of stress eating. Progress. Not good for my no sugar commitment, but I don't care. I think I'm doing well—I think I might be at 95% sugar free. In my classroom right now are donuts and I'm resisting them. Actually, no. I don't even care about them. They are just there.

Today I went to Wegman's and bought my fruit tart for Thanksgiving dinner. I'm sure there is sugar in there. And I plan to eat it. For me this is all about breaking bad habits.

When I was driving to Wegman's, my phone rang. When I called back it was Muhlenberg. My doppler test is scheduled for Monday at 7:30 am. They connected me to billing but they were useless. I didn't have the silly code. I have no idea how much this will cost. I'm assuming it will be 5K like the last one.

looks like i am my mother's daughter

Mom had high blood pressure early. Maybe late 20s, early 30s. In turn, all the girls have high blood pressure. I haven't asked the boys. She ultimately had a stroke in her 80s.

Looks like I'm on the same path and it sucks.

Today was the day I dread every six months. It was doctor day. Foolishly, I made the appointment at lunch time. It was 11:30. I left Easton at 11:15 and arrived back at 1:15. Yeah it was that kind of appointment.

When I was at Bonnie's Sunday I weighed myself. I was 225. Last time I was at the doctors I was 219. I was upset. I had gained 3 pounds since I had weighed myself for Prevention.

Today I was 228.5. Shit! That just shy of 10 pounds more than the last time. They must have gotten a new scale. Bonnie's scale and their scale used to be about a pound different. Thank goodness I skipped breakfast or I would have been another pound heavier.

So they took me in right away, did the vitals (BP Good 130/82) and then left me sit 1/2 hour. Then the resident came in, examined me, and then finally the doctor.

Because of the weight gain (why are my clothes too big if I'm gaining weight?) I got the full diet and weight loss lecture.

(At the rate I'm going I'm going have to move to a plant based diet. I can see the blog now. "Forced to be a vegan".  Life without cheese and sugar? That would be unbearable.)

Then she examined me. When she got to my neck she made a funny face. She turned to the junior doctor and asked if he hearded anything strange. He said no. She checked everything again, and another funny face. Then they checked together.

Because of my high blood pressure and my mother's stroke, she wants me to have a test on my right carotid artery. He typed up the Rx, and asked her if she wanted the 3 or the 4. She choose 3 because I have no insurance. Less test = less $.

So I think this test is called a doppler. Though I could swear that's what they use on the tv weather. Muhlenberg will call to set up an appointment. I'll ask them then what the cash price is. She thinks it's cheaper than the echo cardiogram. That was 5K.

At this rate, the kitchen will never get remodeled. Hope the holes in the floor don't open up.

(No I can't get a loan. The other owner of the house doesn't believe in loans and won't sign.)

wpa stairs

I drive up and down Martin Luther King Drive in Allentown frequently. I always see these stair built by the WPA during the Great Depression. Part of Roosevelt's rebuilding plan. Every time I drive past I say, I must climb up those stairs.

Today was the day.

We parked at Fountain Pool, crossed the street and headed up the stairs. There's 88, and at the top it Ys off. We went right where there's more stairs. The other side is more ramp like. For the most part the stairs are in good shape. But there's a few spots where the rocks are missing. They do need a little TLC but I'm guessing the city has no money for that. Too bad. They'll crumble like the limestone kilns in Coplay and Alburtis.

We turned to go up 10th street, and it was a hill. Bonnie says I've taken her up worse in South Bethlehem. I tested out the technique for walking up hills we learned and it didn't work. Maybe I was doing something wrong.

We headed out Walnut to 12th, then up 12th and around Union Cemetery. They sustained a lot of storm damage and have been cutting trees and stacking the wood between tombstones.  As much as I love trees, those are dying and should come down. The storm exposed the extent of their decay.

We returned to Hamilton via 10th street and headed toward the courthouse. 

The hole for the Hockey arena is at least 1 square block big, and at least three stories, if not more, deep. We turned on Court, went thru the art park, around the art museum, and down Fourth past Trout Hall, which was decorated for Christmas. We crossed by the Parkettes and followed the trail back to the car.

Just over 3.5 miles.

When we came back, we walked the dog and added another half mile.

hawk mountain

Yesterday Lydia, Zahra and I went to Hawk Mountain to hike. I'm glad I have a student who likes to hike. Zahra is from Yeman. She and Lyd got along well.

Hawk Mountain is now a paid trail. (I only knew that because NCC's International program was planning a hiking trip last weekend, and HM was ruled out because of the fee.)  The last time I went there it wasn't. But that was a lifetime ago.

We parked at the Visitor's Center, paid our fee, and headed to the trail. The volunteer ticket taker took our picture.

The first part of the trail was just dirt. We stopped at the south lookout, and the intern gave us all sorts of information. Frankly it went in one ear and out the other. Shortly after that the trail got rockier and rockier. To get to the north point, we climbed a staircase made from rocks. Then turned the corner and there it was. A cliff of boulders. I stayed near the back. I'm a wuss. Lydia went a little further.

Zahra, went the fartherest. She said it's rocky in northern Yeman, and took off to explore. I was calm when I could see her green scarf. I was not when she disappeared behind the rocks. I kept thinking, what will I tell the international coordinator.

When she came back we all headed to the front most rocks. I felt old, and out of shape. Clearly I am not flexible or fearless.

But we all made it out safe and sound. I'm just a worry wart like my mother.

It took 1.5 hours to get to the north lookout and less than a half hour to get beck. But then again, we stopped a lot on our way there.

After looking at the pictures, many butt shots, I need to get rid of these jeans. They are too big.

This morning I had my first episode missing sugar. Really missing sugar. We had waffles for breakfast. Waffles with just butter are gross. No 10x, no maple syrup, not even any gross pancake syrup. YUCK.

Off to pick up Bonnie. We're doing the 9th street stairs in Allentown, then hiking thru downtown.

water review

Friday I was out shopping for strangers Christmas. I had the holiday hope chests to fill, as well as the two tags that I got at Lafayette.

I was walking with Betsy at 1:30, so I left my house at 11:30. I took a 32 ounce bottle of water. But between shopping and walking I drank it all.

I really wanted a smoothie, but I'm sure both Wegmans and McDs have sugar. Instead, I opted for the 7-11 and a bottle of water.

I choose it because of the bottle. The graphic designer, teaching package design this term, fell in love at first sight.

It's called Voss, and it is artesian water from Norway that has been packaged and bottled at its source. 

During these water surveys I found that I really like artesian waters. They do have a taste to them. It must be the minerals. This one was no different. it was fresh and clean. The bottle is hard to drink from, but I had a glass in the car. (Yes a real glass.) I poured some in and chugged it down. The second class I drank like a normal person. I could actually taste something other than wet.

I'm refilling the bottle with tap water and taking it on today's walk. I don't have the heart to recycle it. Yet.

prevention magazine and skittles?

How's that for a headline.

Well I fell off the sugar wagon yesterday and ate Skittles. Mostly out of habit. I ate them all and didn't feel well afterwards. But I brushed myself off and got back on the wagon. this morning I didn't make french toast because everything I could think to top it with was fat (butter!) or sugar (Maple syrup, pancake syrup, karo, honey...). Made dippy eggs instead.

Yesterday was hard. There were brownies at work. And Munchkins. And I was well past bored. Oh well, to quote Scarlett, "tomorrow is another day."

This morning I also found two emails from Prevention. About the dreaded photo shoot. I was hoping they forgot about me.

I am contacting you regarding the walking workout feature you are participating in for the February issue of Prevention Magazine.

Sending a HELLO...and my contact info. 

We will be setting up a photo shoot of each of you as the success image of your progress for the story.

Please send me a little more info about yourselves.

Where are you located?

Sizes...top, bottom shoe. bra.

your availability over the next 2 weeks.  I realize Thanksgiving is in there...we can work around that.

Not sure if we will bringing you into NYC or sending a photographer to you.

 Ooh. Trip to NYC. Yeah. But then the second email came.

I hear you are all in the Emmaus area.

Any chance you are all available this weekend for a photo shoot?

Looking to do a quick photo of each of you walking outside.  Working on finding a local park with a nice scenery.

Let me know if this weekend works for all.

Would like to shoot it before the holiday if at all possible

 So it looks like my 15 minutes of fame will happen Sunday. 

Tomorrow we're going hiking at Hawk Mountain.

Today, I'm doing the three miles with Betsy. Also shopping to fill the Holiday Hope Chests. Much of the money I use to fill them comes from money I pick up walking.

I also signed up for the Biggest Loser Half-Marathon in Erie, August 17. A six hour drive is far, but from the list it doesn't look like they are doing major cities.  It will be a lovely long weekend away. I've always wanted to go to Presque Isle State Park. I think there's a lighthouse. I just looked. There's three! And a 90 minute boat tour. I am so there. "experience the scenic beauty of the Peninsula and Erie waterfront while viewing three historic lighthouses." I don't think I'll be able to get Bonnie and Lyd to stay in a cottage or a yurt. I think they'll need air conditioning.

taming the beast. day 4

I signed up for the 21 Day Challenge to kick what I thought was an addiction to sugar.

Basically, you eat no added sugar (and glucose, sucrose, HFCS, maple syrup, agave, stevia, honey, and the plethoria of fake sugars) or booze. I thought it would be really hard. I thought I'd be jonesing. I thought I was addicted. I'm not. 

I found out that sugar is a really bad habit for me. Now maybe this would have been different two years ago when I was chugging quarts of Coke everyday.

You can eat any naturally occurring sugar. For example dried fruit and fresh fruit are okay. Juice is also okay as long as you don't drink more than one glass a day. And plain yogurt with natural sugars, instead of added sugars. 

Today is day four. Avoiding all sugars I'm finding, is difficult. It's hidden everywhere. There's apparently a film called "Sugar, The Bitter Truth". I guess I should watch it. But it's an hour and a half. Do I really want to know that much? I tend to stay away from films like that. I haven't seen Supersize Me, or Knife and Fork, or any of the other tell-all food films.

Anyway, day one was Saturday. Not problematic at all but doing this requires a lot of reading. I bought apple cider, I thought it fit into the juice category. All it is is pressed apples. Nice break from water. Saturday I had it hot.

Day 2 was harder. We did the Volkksport walk. I tend to walk with my mouth open, and get dehydrated. Gum and hard candy solves that. I had my hand in the buckets at the check point several times. Only once did I take a mini-Milk Way. It was delicious.  Bonnie had brought Kind bars, but they are glued together with honey. These had chocolate also. She also brought natural fruit roll ups. Couldn't eat those either. By the time we reached Friday's I was hungry! Quickly I realized that I couldn't get my Jack Daniels burger. The sauce has sugar. I also didn't eat most of the roll. 

Yesterday was Day 3. Fresh fruit is becoming a big part of my life. I need to buy more. Banana for breakfast, apple for snack. Maybe oranges for hikes. I should also get grapes or berries or something. Part of what I'm starting to miss is the hand mouth function. Nibble while in online class.  For example, I've gotten into the habit of eating Skittles before class as a snack. Yesterday I had trail mix. Late last night I finished the quart of cider. But I might not be the only one drinking it. 

Today is day 4. It's early. I had a banana with breakfast and have an apple with me. I'm going for lunch at the Quadrant with a friend. They have great flavored waters. They take a 5 gallon jug and drop the fruit of the day in it. Perfect.

Happy Diwali to all my Hindu friends. The sweets at the celebration are divine. Please eat extra for me!

splat! and it wasn't me.

Today was the Green Pond Volkssport walk. The trail was marked by, and the whole event run by, a Girl Scout for her silver award.

For this walk, I borrowed a Brownie. My friend Angels daughter.  She arrived at my house wearing her Brownie vest and beanie. She took this seriously. I wore my GS 100 tee shirt.

It took about an hour to get there. The park was easy to find. We signed in, and hit the trail. The first 5K was in a wooded area. The leaves fell, and covered up all the roots and rocks. It was challenging walking. Bug led the group, with Bonnie close behind. I was in the middle and Lyd brought up the rear.

We were barely 10 minutes into the walk and we heard a thunk. And a "Oh shit".  I turned around and there was Lyd falling to the ground. Before I could take out the camera, she was up on her feet again. Her knee is bruised and her thigh sore.

We were following the orange trial markers and at one point lost them and followed black ones. It turns out the lack was covering the orange. The trail was marked before Sandy, and had to be altered.

One uprooted tree was so large, Bonnie stood under it. It was bigger than her, by a good three feet.

I took a good hour and a half to finish the first 5K. We took a bit of a break, and then did the second 5K. This was thru the park on a gravel road. I hung back with Bug and Lydia who were starting to get tired. And Lyds injuries were starting to hurt.

However, when we checked back in Bug was willing and able to play in the playground! Quick recovery.

I forgotten how tiring an 8 year old is.

greenway

Lyd was busy burning calories racking bags of weeds, so Bonnie and I walked alone. We did about 4.5 miles thru the south side. Including the Greenway, Steel and casino. We practiced a few of the techniques we learned last week at the walking clinic.

Tomorrow is the Girl Scout Volkssport walk in Green Pond. I have borrowed a Brownie for the occasion.  Her mom is dropping her off and I'll take her home.

Today started my 21 day challenge. No added sugar (or booze, but who cares about that) for 21 day. That includes honey, maple syrup, stevia, chemical sugars, and everything in between. I should be a raging witch by Monday. Don't say you haven't been warned.

reached 90,000 points

Today I logged in my time into the Presidential Challenge, and reached 90,000 points. Gold is next. it's 160,000 points!

Now I can reach that, if it's one year from when you started. If it's a calendar year, there is no way. That's almost twice what I've done so far, and about six weeks to do it. I've been doing this since the end of May. I need another six months, and winter is coming. Activity naturally drops.

Wonder if shovel snow is on the list?

speed walking clinic.

Bonnie and I learned a lot about walking. My fears were not realized. But then that's me. Always look for the worse case scenario.

It was cold. I had on a tee, a long sleeve tee, a fleece and a jacket, plus gloves. As the day progresses I stripped down to my tee shirt. 

First we corrected our posture/form and walking technique. Wow there's a lot to remember. I'm being vague because I'm not really sure how much I can say.

Then we walked, practicing out new techniques. We need to find a park with a line to follow.

We continued walking while each participant was videoed with an iPad. Then the film was reviewed. I lean forward. That wasn't news. After the half my back and shoulders hurt. I punch in with my right arm, instead of back, so I send the energy the wrong way.  Scuff my one foot. It's amazing what a stranger can see in 90 seconds.

Then we did drills. Look out Lydia. Walking will never be the same! One we counted our steps. Mine always stayed the same. I didn't get any faster. But in another, I did get a little faster.

At the end of the drills Bonnie said we had to go. It was already 5:00, and she needed to help her mother in law. So we said goodbye as they moved the clinic to DeSales University to do a hill demo.  When we got in the car, the car said 4:00. Bonnie never reset her watch from the time change! So I did a U-y and headed for DeSales.

At DeSales we worked on techniques that would work on a hill. I want to see them work on an actual hill—Wyandotte Street. Frederick Street. My street. That was an incline. I think the hill to the rail trail at the partk we were in is steeper. So the jury is still out on that particular technique, until I can try it on an actual hill.

We finished the day with strength exercises.

All in all a great afternoon and well worth the money.