Fight Asthma with Vitamins and Supplements

Most recently updated July 7th, 2023

If you’ve read some of my other posts, you know that I’ve had asthma and have been fighting asthma my whole life.

In spite of allergy shots and prescribed inhalers and pills, my asthma got worse every year. 

Eco-friendly garden at Lake Crabtree County Park.
Eco-friendly garden at Lake Crabtree County Park.

After a childhood full of midnight ER visits and college years laced with time in Intensive Care,  I had  complete respiratory failure as a young working adult, and spent several days unconscious on a ventilator.

After that event, the doctors could only advise that I take  more daily medications and stay indoors in a controlled environment.

I realized then that the available asthma treatments would probably keep me alive, but would severely limit my life.

So, I moved across the country to escape the worst of my local airborne triggers – and got some breathing room 😉

Since then I’ve experimented with diet, exercise and supplements to find what might help reduce my symptoms and my use of most medications.

Through research plus trial and error, I’ve created a strategy that helps me breathe easier and stay healthy enough to do just about anything I want to do!

In this post I tell you about the vitamins and supplements available and the ones I’ve used – and mostly still use – that appear to help asthma.

For inspiration I’m also sharing more photos of beautiful places I’ve been able to hike, and beautiful plants and animals that haven’t made  me wheeze  🙂

If you’re looking for additional (non-medical)  ways to minimize or even eliminate asthma symptoms, maybe this strategy could help you, too!

Continue reading Fight Asthma with Vitamins and Supplements

Foot Care for Hikers – From Blisters to Boots

Most recently updated July 7th, 2023

My feet hurt most of the time.

Hiking at the Romero Pools in Arizona

Accumulated damage from years of dance, martial arts, high heels, various athletics and now a couple of decades and  lots of miles of hiking means my feet hurt more often than they don’t.

Add metabolic aging of my feet now that I’m in my 50’s, and it’s a recipe for some VERY painful feet.

But I’ve found ways to alleviate my foot pain and prevent more injury so I can keep doing the active things I love!

How to Care For Your Feet

Footbridge at Pullen Park

As a hiker, you can’t overestimate the value of wearing the best hiking boots you can to have an enjoyable hike and avoid possible injury.

But  there are other things you can do to keep your feet happy beyond simply wearing good boots!

I love to be active outdoors and plan to keep on going for the long haul.  That means investing effort in taking care of my feet and legs as much as I can.

These are some of my  favorite tips to avoid or eliminate foot pain and keep your feet  happy, healthy and ready for any adventure!

NOTE:  Instead of  illustrating this post with images of injured feet, I decided to share pictures of some beautiful things I’ve seen  – while walking around  🙂

Continue reading Foot Care for Hikers – From Blisters to Boots

Run and Hike the Lake Pine Trail – Even if You Have Asthma!

Most recently updated July 7th, 2023

The Lake Pine Trail is a paved loop that circles the lake in Apex Community Park, located near the dividing line between the towns of Cary and Apex, close to Raleigh, North Carolina.

Like nearby Bond Park, Lake Crabtree County Park, and Umstead State Park,  Apex Community Park has the benefit of being in town, plus the appeal of hosting a fairly large recreational lake.

Another nearby park with paved walking trails is the North Carolina Museum of Art Park – but they don’t have a lake, just a pond. 🙂

The Lake Pine Trail Loop

Lake Pine is a great trail for running or walking, is smooth and wide enough to use your stroller or baby jogger, too – and is good for all skill levels.

Apex Community Park entry sign at Laura Duncan Road
Apex Community Park entry sign at Laura Duncan Road

The trail runs between the lake and other natural areas, so there’s a good chance to see wildlife.

I’ve seen deer, otters, loons, cranes, turtles – and fish 🙂

Dogs are also allowed on this trail but must be kept on leash.

The loop is about 2 miles long, and you have the option to venture off the main path to other unpaved nature trails, too. Continue reading Run and Hike the Lake Pine Trail – Even if You Have Asthma!

Lose Weight and Get Fit for Epic Hikes – Easy Training Plan

Most recently updated January 5th, 2023

Summer is undeniably coming.    I know this because the days have started getting the tiniest bit longer… 😉

Sadly, many of us emerge from Winter’s shapeless warm layers not as much the “beautiful butterfly” as we would like.

We must lose our Winter insulation!

Each Spring, we feel the need to  improve our weight and fitness before we can flutter confidently in the sunshine.  Or even wear shorts….

(I don’t mean to suggest that anyone needs to be a certain size.  It’s up to each individual and their medical advisors to decide what’s best for them.)

For myself, the main goal is to be fit enough to do any hike I’m interested in without a struggle.

I want to be a beautiful butterfly!

Also, I want to buy clothes when I need something new, not because I’ve outgrown my current size.

Fortunately, it’s pretty easy to lose weight hiking and get more fit at the same time!

 

Why Hiking Is A Great Way to Get In Shape

The great thing about hiking is that pretty much anyone can do it, it doesn’t cost a lot of money, and it gets you outdoors. Continue reading Lose Weight and Get Fit for Epic Hikes – Easy Training Plan

Hiking for Beer – A 5-Step Calorie Counting Plan

Most recently updated July 31st, 2023

Alcohol and a diet plan for weight loss don’t really go together – especially if you’re calorie counting to lose weight. 

You can drink beer on a diet - if you plan for it!
You can drink beer on a diet – if you plan for it!

I should probably also mention that alcohol and altitude don’t go together, either – even though you can really burn calories hiking

(Seriously, don’t drink if you’re hiking at altitude.)

That said, when you’re sweaty and parched after hiking umpteen miles of vertical gain (then back down again) carrying a heavy pack, nothing tastes more like victory than a nice cold beer.

Surely, after all that, you’ve earned it.   Right??  Well, yeah.  But you’re still going to pay – with lots of extra calories. 

And that’s not all… Continue reading Hiking for Beer – A 5-Step Calorie Counting Plan

Easy Guidelines for Hiking to Lose Weight!

Most recently updated January 9th, 2023

So, you’ve been getting into hiking lately, and really love it.  You are energized, and less stressed than you’ve been in a while.

Author near summit of Mont Blanc
Author near summit of Mont Blanc

You also think you could burn calories hiking and hike to lose weight – and that’s absolutely true! 

The question is, do you need to train like you’re going to climb Mount Everest to make it happen?

Probably not.   

But wouldn’t you want to be fit enough to hike Everest if you got the chance? 

My goal is to always stay fit enough to do anything – whether it’s an afternoon playing disc golf or a week hiking the Inca Trail – with just a little bit of extra training if I need it.
Continue reading Easy Guidelines for Hiking to Lose Weight!

How to Get Fit for Active Retirement – Your Bucket List Training Plan

Most recently updated March 21st, 2023

Estimated Reading Time: 10 minutes

These days, it’s more important than ever to maintain good health and fitness, no matter what your age.

But you’re busy, and can’t possibly squeeze in time for fitness training around your demanding job, family and household duties.  I get it. 

What’s on your bucket list?

Inundated with things that we have to do, it’s easy to put off optional activities – including taking better care of ourselves physically.

But if you (like me and many other older adults) want to enjoy bucket list adventures that include active travel and hiking in remote places, it’s time to start training!

Each year, starting January, I do an 8-week hike training program to get ready for upcoming Spring hikes – and beyond! 

View at Hanging Rock State Park
View at Hanging Rock State Park

It’s really to get fit for outdoor adventures in any month after weeks of Winter hibernating and celebrating 🙂

Read on to learn how you can personalize your training, with our without my 8 week plan, to help you get ready for adventure at any age!

Continue reading How to Get Fit for Active Retirement – Your Bucket List Training Plan

Simple Ways to Start Hiking – With Kids or On Your Own

Most recently updated January 18th, 2022

Estimated Reading Time: 4.3 minutes

When I first began hiking as a hobby, I was working at a fulltime tech job, was a single mom of a toddler with few babysitters available, and my closest family was 1500 miles away. 

Of necessity, most of my activities (outside of work) included the company of my Mini-Me, and hiking was no exception.

Hiking at Hanging Rock State Park with Peanut!

My daughter loved the adventure, seeing new things, and being an intrepid explorer with her Mama!

We explored local parks and greenways, both on foot and on bikes and rollerblades.

Then, when she was old enough, we were able to visit a lot of State Parks, and go on longer unpaved trails with more varied terrain. 

Continue reading Simple Ways to Start Hiking – With Kids or On Your Own

Welcome to I’d Rather Walk!

Most recently updated December 31st, 2021

Greeting a new friend on Reedy Creek greenway

Hey, I’m LJ –

Thanks for joining me!

Originally from Minnesota, I’ve made my home in North Carolina since 1996.

As a single mom, I started hiking in this area with my daughter when she was small, and have been leading local group hikes since 2009.

Through the years – in between work and school schedules – we spent as much time as we could hiking across the US and around the world.

In my posts, I share my adventures hiking in exotic far-off locations, and also tell you about unique places you could visit just down the street.

Hiking the rocks at historic Yates Mill.
Hiking the rocks at historic Yates Mill.

I’ also share tips on good places to hike or just get outdoors with your kids in the Cary/Raleigh area and beyond.

FYI, I only write about places or experiences  I’ve actually checked out myself, so you know it’s good information.  (I also try to keep the info up to date if things have changed.)

My goal is to inspire you to try some outdoor adventures of your own – both with and without your children in tow.

No matter what your age (or theirs) the best time to start is right now!

Continue reading Welcome to I’d Rather Walk!