weight loss Archives - Page 3 of 6

Week 6: Don’t Stop Now!

– – Training Week 6 started with a cold Saturday morning 9 mile hike on the MST at Falls Lake.

Cypress tress in the water near Little Lick Creek bridge on the MST.

This hike is one of my favorite sections of the MST, because it’s long enough to know you’ve had a hike, and has some interesting features along the way.

I normally don’t lead hikes on Saturday, but the weather forecast for Sunday was for snow, ice and extreme cold (again), so I switched it up.

Needlessly, as it turns out, because the forecast was completely wrong. Wrong, wrong, wrong! Oh, those wacky meteorologists…..

Hiking at the North Carolina Museum of Art park.

So, instead of cowering inside all day Sunday and doing the dreaded housework, I did some kickboxing – and, yes, housework.

Pretending to be sculptures in the Rodin garden.

Then I convinced That Man and the puppy to join me in the afternoon for a nice 4 mile walk at the North Carolina Museum of Art.

Monday, it was forecast to be rainy all day and evening – and it was!!

So it was a treadmill training and weight lifting day.

Tuesday – I was able to join Lenore and other hiker friends at Umstead State Park – and this time I was not thwarted by a slow lumber truck!

We hiked the MUT about 6 miles, and I had a heavy pack, so this was my official Strength Building hike for the week.

View of the old boathouse at Umstead State Park.

THE SHAMELESS SELF-PROMOTION PART

A couple of weeks ago I got an email out of the blue from Mary Insprucker, host of the “Triangle 411” podcast.

She wanted to know if she could interview me about hiking and the I’d Rather Walk meetup group. How cool is that?

So I said okay, and the interview was just published. Here it is:

Triangle 411 I’d Rather Walk Hiking Interview

Please feel free to share with wild abandon!!!

I just hope I don’t sound like a doofus…

View of the Eno from the MST at Penny's Bend. — View of the Eno from the MST at Penny’s Bend.

Wednesday was another gorgeous day, so another hiker and I explored a new-to-me trail from Penny’s Bend to the River Forest trailhead.

The whole RT route was about 8.8 miles on the MST – our turnaround spot was just a mile or so from West Point on the Eno.

Penny’s Bend Nature Preserve is a small 85-acre natural area in northeast Durham that is owned by the Army Corps of Engineers and managed by the NC Botanical Gardens.

Map on the kiosk at Penny's Bend. — Map on the kiosk at Penny’s Bend.

The nature preserve protects a peninsula of land that is surrounded on three sides by the Eno River just upstream of where the river flows into Falls Lake.

Thursday I hosted a longer training hike at Umstead State Park with a great group of hikers, hiking about 9 miles on the Loblolly Trail into Schenk Forest and back.

For some reason this hike kicked my butt…

Friday was such a gorgeous day, I spent most of the day hiking a new-to-me section of the MST with a wonderful group of hikers led by Rich B from the “Life is a Hike!” meetup.

MST Hike K is a 14 miles out-and-back between Hwy 98 and NC 50 near Falls Lake.

It was fun, but after completing that hike, my legs hurt and I realized I’d hiked 51 miles during the week!

So, I got off my feet and let That Man pamper me with a nice dinner 🙂

This MST section runs opposite the Rollingview Marina on Falls Lake.

I may have slacked off a bit this week on the kickboxing and weight lifting because the sunny warm weather made me do a lot of hiking and ignore the rest.

That said, there’s still time to focus and get back on track before the 8-week program is over.

Okay, then – time to go work up a sweat somehow.

THE SHAMELESS SALESY PART

In case you haven’t noticed, Valentine’s Day is just a few days away.

If you haven’t planned anything yet, here are few suggestions from the IRW Merch Shop Valentine’s Collection:

At this point, your gifts won’t get there in time, but you could tell your sweetie it’s on the way!

Week 7 is next. Let’s make it a good one 🙂

TAKEAWAY LESSON: Don’t give up if you miss a cross-training workout or snarf too many jelly beans – every day is a new opportunity to do better!!

I hope you’ve found my Training Log ramblings to be helpful- or at least amusing! 🙂 To see more of them go to my Training Log.

You could also take a look at my 8 Weeks to Awesome Training Plan post, if you want to see what kind of training I’m doing.

Thanks for stopping by – see you next time! LJ

Week 5: Ice and Rain

– – Training Week 5 started with another snowy, icy Saturday morning – so it was treadmill training for me!

But Sunday the roads were clear – although it was still very cold! – and I went back into the woods with a great group of hikers for 6 miles on the Loblolly Trail in Umstead State Park.

We started a bit later than usual due to the cold, so I had time before we started for some extra yoga 🙂

A thin skim of ice on Big Lake in Umstead State Park.

Monday I attempted to join my friend Lenore for another hike, this time on the other side (Glenwood entrance) of Umstead State Park, to hike the multi-Use Trails.

But I was thwarted by a slow lumber truck that made me late, so I went my own way.

This was a short Strength Building hike for me, so I carried extra weight in my pack and hiked around 6.5 miles.

I decided to check out a trail at Forest Ridge Park.

Tuesday was supposed to be kickboxing, but it was an unusually warm day, and I just had to get outdoors, so I went to check out a new trail – recommended by another hiker – at Forest Ridge Park, and did a short 5 miles on the Shoreline Trail.

It was another trail along the shore of Falls Lake, but this time not part of the Falls Lake Trail or the MST.

Hiking the Shoreline Trail at Forest Ridge Park.

Wednesday I scheduled a long hike (`9 miles) that we hadn’t done in a while, due to weather.

The hike follows the MST along the Eno River from the Old Pump Station ruins to the Old Mill at West Point on the Eno.

There’s been construction along there for a couple of years, and it looks like it’s finally winding down.

Construction is finally winding down at the dam at West Point on the Eno.

Thursday was another long hike at Umstead – 9mi on the Co Mill & Sycamore trails, followed later in the day by another 4 miles on Loblolly and MUT with That Man and puppy.

Second hike of the day at Umstead with Colleen, the prettiest puppy :-) — Second hike of the day at Umstead with Colleen, the prettiest puppy 🙂

Friday it was supposed to rain all day, so I’d planned for kickboxing and indoor work.

Turns out we got hardly any rain at all. Hmmmph.

Nevermind, we’ve made it through 5 weeks so far.

In case you’re feeling proud of yourself (and you should!), I designed some Awesome T-Shirts to commemorate your training:

Wednesday this week was Groundhog Day, and the Rodent says we have 6 more weeks of winter.

Whatever that means around here…. But, no matter what, we know that:

Are you ready????

TAKEAWAY LESSON: The weather can have a big impact on your workout plans! Always check the weather and trail conditions before you head out, and even though the forecast is wrong A LOT, plan as if you believe them 😉

I hope you’ve found my Training Log ramblings to be helpful- or at least amusing! 🙂 To see more of them go to my Training Log.

You could also take a look at my 8 Weeks to Awesome Training Plan post, if you want to see what kind of training I’m doing.

Thanks for stopping by – see you next time! LJ

Week 4: The Glass is Half Full

Most recently updated January 29th, 2022

Estimated Reading Time: 3 minutes

– – Training Week 4 started on Saturday with the world all socked-in with snow and ice from Friday’s storm, so Saturday was a treadmill with heavy pack day for me.

Sunday morning, everything was still iced in, so it was kickboxing for me early.

A little bit later things were starting to melt, so thanks to some other local hikers, I decided to take it outdoors to enjoy some sunshine and company!

A few of the local hike leaders, hosted by my friend Michael, ventured out to Umstead State Park, and took the multi-use trail from Old Reedy Creek Road into the Park.

Checking out the MUT in Umstead State Park. — Checking out the MUT into Umstead State Park.

Some of the group went into the woods on a snow-covered trail, but another hiker and I just took the MUT back the way we came because of time constraints.

The walk out was a lot easier and less treacherous than the earlier walk in!

Monday was my first posted hike, and I hosted a great group of people in Bond Park, on natural trails and the greenway for about 6.25 miles.

This was my “strength-building” hike for the week, so I had an extra 20 lbs in my pack.

It was still a little bit icy, but most of the trails and greenways were no trouble at all – in fact, it got more difficult as the ice melted and the mud thawed.

Bond Park is a great place for shorter walks or hikes, and has a lot of paved trails for strollers.

Tuesday was more kickboxing and I was able to entice That Man and the puppy out to walk a few miles in the afternoon, because it was a balmy 50ish degrees!

Week 4 included adding more extra weight, so I carried at least an extra 15lbs on every hike – including the treadmill hikes.

Here are their smiling faces! (They promised not to sue me....) — Here are their smiling faces! (They promised not to sue me….)

Wednesday, I led a another group on one of my favorite MST section hikes at Falls Lake.

Officially, the section is ~ 9 miles from the Baptist Rd trailhead out to the Little Lick Creek Bridge and back.

It was a little windy and cold on the bridge and exposed boardwalk, so some folks held back in the shelter of the bridge for that section.

View from the top of the Little Lick Creek bridge on a windy wintery day.

We were protected from the wind and all got much warmer once we returned to the shelter of the woods.

Thursday was *sort of* a rest day for me, so I only did a few miles with a pack uphill on the treadmill, and some yoga.

Friday, was more kickboxing and a chilly 3 mile urban hike.

I kind of hate the gym – even my home gym – so I’m counting those indoor workouts this week as a personal win!

As a celebration of being half-way through my 8-week program, I bought 2 new pairs of hiking pants – after a friend told me my butt looked amazing in them…

What? Nothing wrong with being useful AND decorative 🙂

Bumble | Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer Wiki | FANDOM ... — Looking forward to more Wintery weather this weekend…

Week 5 is next – with longer hikes, heavier weights, and more Winter weather!! It should be lots of fun!

And I don’t mean that sarcastically. Pretty sure…

TAKEAWAY LESSON: Reward yourself for hard work and celebrate your personal wins!

I hope you’ve found my Training Log ramblings to be helpful- or at least amusing! 🙂 To see more of them go to my Training Log.

You could also take a look at my 8 Weeks to Awesome Training Plan post, if you want to see what kind of training I’m doing.

Thanks for stopping by – see you next time! LJ

Week 3: Well, it IS winter…

Estimated Reading Time: 4 minutes

– – Awesome Training Week 3 got off to a great start with a 9ish mile Saturday morning hike hosted by my friend Heidi on the Mountains to Sea Trail, beginning from the Shinleaf parking lot at Falls Lake.

The Mountains to Sea Trail is blazed with a white circle.

This was a good hike with a good group – but the weather was a bit cold!

We started off briskly enough – and I had enough extra weight in my pack – that by the time we reached the midpoint, I was sweating through my jacket.

We started to go more slowly on the return, and I got chilled, so I sped up for warmth and finished a bit sooner than the group.

Puppy on a leash — This puppy loves to snuggle!

It was a great way to start the day – and I felt good about snuggling in for the afternoon with That Man and Colleen (the prettiest puppy).

And then the week went to crap!!

You might think I’m kidding, but I’m not.

So far this year we’d been spared the legendary ice storms (and snow that turns to ice, which then turns into a bazillion car accidents), but last weekend the Snow Miser finally caught up with us on Sunday.

Here in the South, that ice can also turn into many power outages, and thankfully we never lost power throughout the bad weather.

The next day, Sunday, I had scheduled a favorite 9.3mi hike, another section of the MST, starting at the Baptist Rd Trailhead – but I had to cancel because the weather was just too bad.

Trees in the lake at the mid-point of the MST section hike from Baptist Rd trailhead.

Cold isn’t a problem if people bundle up, but driving to the trailhead can be treacherous, and I don’t want to ask anyone to come out in unsafe road conditions.

So, I had to disappoint the hikers signed up for Sunday, and contented myself with elevated treadmilling with a weighted pack.

I actually enjoy exercising in my home gym (if outdoors isn’t do-able) because I can watch a movie while I’m on the machine – but I would much rather be outside!

The forecast looked like our only outdoor opportunities would be maybe Tuesday and Wednesday, and then the rest of the week would have to be indoors again.

Monday the weather was still crap, too, so I did some kickboxing and weights.

Meanwhile I constantly refreshed my weather app, in hopes the forecast would get nice enough to post an outdoor hike!

My mania paid off and I was able to post a last-minute hike for Tuesday, and a few hardy souls joined me 🙂

We hiked 6 miles on the multi-use trail (a gravel/packed dirt road) from the Old Reedy Creek trailhead, across the old I-40 bridge, all the way to Warren Cemetery inside Umstead State Park.

Joggers on the old I-40 bridge that is part of the MUT into Umstead from Old Reedy Creek trailhead.

This is a good route when the trails may be too muddy or icy from recent rain and snow.

I used this for my weekly Strength-Building hike, and added some more weight to my pack – so I was at around 15-20 lbs per the hike training plan.

The next day, Wednesday, was a beautiful day, with highs in the 60’s (N Carolina is so weird) so we took advantage of the day with another long hike!

A great group of hikers joined me at Umstead State Park, where we started off on the Company Mill Trail, and then took the MUT out to Big Lake and back – for a total of ~ 8 miles.

The weather was so beautiful that after I got cleaned up from that hike, I persuaded That Man and the puppy to join me for another 4 miles in Bond Park before sundown.

We were even able to have dinner at our favorite sidewalk cafe before it got too cold 🙂

Thursday the weather had turned to rain and sleet, so I had to be content with Yoga and 1 hour (4 miles) at top incline with weights on the treadmill.

By Friday, the rain had frozen on the ground and some snow had fallen on top of it, soooo – kickboxing and weightlifting indoors – to avoid road traffic.

Good thing, because we had about 600 accidents locally due to icy roads!!

Altogether, a somewhat disappointing week for hiking outdoors. That said, we still managed to get some time in the sunshine – so it could’ve been worse.

Like next week. Next week the weather forecast is even crappier. 🙁

But it doesn’t matter – we’ll find a way to get some exercise anyway, and I guarantee we’ll feel better about everything when it’s done!

Meanwhile, there’s a jigsaw puzzle and wine with my name on it 🙂

Not so far, but it could happen!! — Not so far, but it could happen Friday night!!

Okay are you ready for Week 4? It’s going to be intense. Here we go!

TAKEAWAY LESSON: Stick to your workout plan, even if the weather is crap and you don’t feel like it. You’ll feel better physically after you exercise, and you’ll be proud of yourself, too!

I hope you’ve found my Training Log ramblings to be helpful- or at least amusing! 🙂 To see more of them go to my Training Log.

You could also take a look at my 8 Weeks to Awesome Training Plan post, if you want to see what kind of training I’m doing.

Thanks for stopping by – see you next time! LJ

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sent directly to your inbox (how convenient!) Click this Button!

Week 2: Make Your Steps Count

Most recently updated January 18th, 2022

Estimated Reading Time: 6 minutes

– – I began the second week of training on Monday, leading a great group of hikers on another 6.5 mile hike on the Company Mill trail in Umstead State Park.

Company Mill trail has the most elevation gain of any of the Park’s trails, and you especially feel it on the final hill at the end of the hike!

Umstead State Park has been my go-to hiking place for at least the past ten years. Company Mill trail, Loblolly Trail and Sycamore Trail are the longest natural trails in the area. I hike in the forest, or with the forest as a starting place, at least twice per week. Located in Wake County, NC between Raleigh, Cary and Durham, this 5,579 acre park is at most a 15 minute drive (or a 5 mile walk) from my house. — Millstone and plaque along the Company Mill Trail

I call that one the “you gotta be kidding me” hill.

Anyway, this time I hiked it with 10 extra lbs in my pack again. Yay 😐

(If you’re wondering what we’re all training for, we’re spending the next 8 weeks training for an awesome hike (TBD) that we can drive to in the Spring.

Old gravestone alongside the MUT in Umstead State Park.

Tuesday, I did some weights and stuff at home, then joined my friend Lenore’s shorter hike (5-6mi hike) on the Multi-Use Trails in a different part of Umstead.

The MUT is a gravel/dirt road that has some mild elevation gain/loss but is pretty smooth.

The MUT is also usually pretty dry, even after heavy rains.

Wilkerson Nature Preserve

On Wednesday, I was supposed to kickbox, but I blew it off and instead just did my yoga and then joined my friend Heidi’s hike.

It was about 7-8 miles, starting with some of the trails in Wilkerson Nature Preserve, and then following the MST to Falls Lake Dam, where we turned around and came back to our starting place.

I joined this hike because I like those guys, and also I’d never been to Wilkerson Nature Preserve – and I’m always interested in trying out another local section of the MST.

There are a number of fun trails within the Preserve, especially designed for younger children, and also a playground.

One of the regular trails specifically links to the white-blazed Mountains to Sea Trail, which will lead you all the way to Falls Lake Dam (which is the beginning of the Falls Lake Trail.)

Turtle stepping stones at Wilkerson Nature Preserve.

Loblolly Trail to Schenk Forest

Thursday I led another group of hikers on an 8.5 mile hike, starting from the Loblolly trail in Umstead State Park, following it all the way and crossing over to the Schenk Forest and back.

You can create this longer-distance hike combo and several others starting from the Harrison Ave entrance to Umstead State Park. This is especially useful when you’re training locally for a longer-distance hiking trip.

Every hike this week (whether long or short) I’ve hiked with at least an extra 10 lbs in the pack, bumping it up on some of the shorter hikes to an 15 extra lbs.

I did this because I’m already in pretty good shape – and the training needs to work for me, too 🙂

Ferns line the Loblolly Trail in Schenk Forest.

Charities for Steps

Speaking of making my training count – another thing I did this week was sign up for a couple of charities that use my hiking miles to donate money to good causes.

Maybe you’d like to do it, too!

Biking on a raised boardwalk greenway in Cary.

St Jude’s Cycle for Charity

Heidi was doing the St Jude’s Cycle for Charity, and asked if I’d like to join.

I’ve been known to ride a bike, but mostly I move around on foot, so I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to do it.

So far, I've done 76 of the 200 miles. — So far, I’ve done 76 of the 200 miles.

But we found out that they allow hiking/running steps, too – so I joined up!

Learn more about this charity ride here.

Wooftrax

I use to use Wooftrax all the time (I did 860 miles for this one), but lost the app when I changed phones.

I just loaded it back up this week, and start the app- when I remember – on every hike.

WoofTrax’ Walk for a Dog (Android and iOS) app lets you raise money for your favorite animal organization while you walk your dog.

The app is funded by ads and sponsors, and the longer you walk, the more money you’ll raise for your charity.

HOW TO DO IT:

1. Download the Wooftrax app to your phone.
2. Submit your name and email address, then confirm your email address by clicking on a link sent to that address.
3. The app will then ask you to add your dog (or dogs), but you can also choose “Walk for Cassie” or add in a fake dog’s info — you don’t actually need a dog to use the app.
4. Hit “Start Walking,” and the app will track your steps, distance, and map your walk using GPS.

iPhone users can use the app on a treadmill or stationary bike, but Android users will need to get outside for the app to work.

We have miles and miles of local greenways available near where I live in North Carolina. Greenways are a great off-road resource for healthy outdoor family activities like bike rides, hikes and walks. Learn details of the Black Creek, White Oak Creek, Crabtree Creek, Reedy Creek and American Tobacco Trail greenways - and have fun exploring them all! #Idratherwalk #GetKidsOutside #Hike — Charity Miles gives to your favorite cause based on the miles you run, bike or hike.

Charity Miles

Charity Miles (Android and iOS), is a free app that rewards the charity of your choice for every mile you walk, run or bike. Corporate sponsors pledge up to $0.25 for each mile you log in the app.

The Charity Miles app features 37 participating charities, including the World Wildlife Fund, charity: water, and Habitat for Humanity.

HOW TO DO IT:

1. Download and install the app and sign up for a Charity Miles account.
2. Before each workout, open the app and pick the charity you want to help.
3. Select the type of activity you’re doing and start your workout.
4. When you’re finished with your workout, hit the stop button.

I haven’t used this one, but all the reviews say it’s great.

I use my hike miles for several charities at a time, like “double coupon” day 🙂

Hiking the burn on Bond Park's Lake Trail. — Hiking the burn on Bond Park’s Lake Trail.

Friday was just kickboxing and weights, and pleasant 4mi walk in the woods at Bond Park with That Man and the prettiest puppy Colleen to take advantage of some of the last warmish weather forecast this week.

This week I did a lot of my hikes with other people.

I hike both solo and with a group – and I’m good either way. Hiking is an activity that’s good for introverts and party animals as well 🙂

But lately I’ve found that if I’m not committed to meeting other people for a workout – whether I’m leading it or not – I’m more likely to let other things interfere and keep me from getting my exercise.

It may be because of ongoing pandemic stress, or colder weather – whatever it is, I’m fighting hard against giving in.

Other people have told me they are having the same issues.

I think if you’re having trouble doing the exercise you’re “supposed to” be doing, you need to forget about all that, and seize any opportunity that seems more fun.

Whatever gets you moving is your best option!

TAKEAWAY LESSON: The right workout is one that you will do – so be ready to seize the opportunity to make your workouts fun!

The Fairy Footpath at Wilkerson Nature Preserve in Raleigh.

I hope you’ve found my Training Log ramblings to be helpful- or at least amusing! 🙂 To see more of them go to my Training Log.

You could also take a look at my 8 Weeks to Awesome Training Plan post, if you want to see what kind of training I’m doing.

Thanks for stopping by – see you next time! LJ

To get New Idratherwalk Posts
sent directly to your inbox (how convenient!) Click this Button!

Week 1: Training Went … Meh

Most recently updated January 18th, 2022

Estimated Reading Time: 2.3 minutes

– – I started the Awesome Training Again this past week, with a moderate 6-mile hike on Umstead State Park’s Company Mill Trail, which is a little bit hilly.

I also had an extra 10 lbs of weight in my pack.

You’d be surprised how heavy that extra 10 lbs in your pack gets by the time you’re climbing the hill back to the trailhead!

But it didn’t seem like a big deal, since I had some great hikers come along with me 🙂

My second posted hike was also in Umstead State Park, but this time it was the Loblolly Trail.

That hike was a bit longer, also with extra weight – and it was my birthday!

So, hiking with a good group of hikers, but no cake.

In other words just another great day for me, but on paper, another year older 🙂

I posted a third hike this week, around 6 miles on the Mountains to Sea Trail on the Eno River, to take advantage of some great weather!

The white blaze of the MST trail can be found along trails in many of the State Parks.

I was supposed to go on a fourth hike (led by another Leader), too, but just ran out of time, so I had to cancel.

Because apparently sometimes there are things you have to tend to outside of the woods 😉

I was – and am – impatient with anything that keeps me from my training goals, be it bad weather, other commitments, or even an injury.

This week, I also kick-boxed a couple of times, hiked on my treadmill with a heavy pack, did some arm weights, and did yoga every day.

And now at the end of the week…… I’m pretty much the same. Hmmphh.

I hiked the Triple Crown this summer! It's a group of three hikes - Dragon's Tooth, McAfee Knob, and Tinker Cliffs - that can be done individually or tackled all together as a backpacking trip. This 35 mile loop contains some of the best hiking in the Roanoke Valley and some of the best overlooks in the entire state of Virginia! I'll tell you what I found on this bucket-list-worthy portion of the Appalachian Trail, and how you can do it too :-) #Idratherwalk #KidsOutdoors #Hiking — Most of us just can’t hike McAfee Knob every day.

Logically, I know it will take longer than a week to see or feel any difference.

But I feel like I should be able to decide something and it instantly happens like magic!

Here’s the thing though: you have to do the work every day.

Even if it’s boring, or painful, or both. It’s just going to take a while.

So, on to the next hike – which is tomorrow morning 🙂

TAKEAWAY LESSON: Patience is required for training, and instant gratification isn’t fast enough!!

I hope you’ve found my Training Log ramblings to be helpful- or at least amusing! 🙂 To see more of them go to my Training Log.

You could also take a look at my 8 Weeks to Awesome Training Plan post, if you want to see what kind of training I’m doing.

Thanks for stopping by – see you next time! LJ

To get New Idratherwalk Posts
sent directly to your inbox (how convenient!) Click this Button!

Return to the Road to Awesome….

Most recently updated January 18th, 2022

Estimated Reading Time: 2 minutes

So, just in case you’re new around here, I’m spending the next 8 weeks training for an awesome hiking trip I can drive to.

The holiday season is just now winding down, so I’ve started this week to focus on getting back to my usually pretty disciplined training routine.

That routine includes several hikes per week – which I’ll post on my Meetup, so you can go, too – along with weight training, cardio and of course stretching every day.

Over the next couple of weeks, along with more focused and increased physical training, I’ll also try to clean up my diet.

Domestic Cheese Tray – holiday food. So much cheese!

Specifically, now that the socially condoned Holiday eating extravagance is behind us, I’m working on getting back to my normal (pretty healthy) eating habits before Super Bowl Sunday.

And then my birthday is this week…

Throughout the holiday season – which for me starts in October and doesn’t end until mid January – I’ve been plagued by a super-abundance of cheese. So much cheese.

Special Cheese Tray Idea, c1964 | Superbowl snacks, Super ... — Special Cheese Tray Idea, c1964 | Superbowl snacks. More cheese.

Because of my asthma, I’ve adopted a “clean” diet ( you can read about my Anti-Asthma Diet here ) that focuses more on protein and veggies, and less on dairy and grains.

Fun fact: Cheese activates the same receptors in your brain as opioids. So, you CAN get addicted to cheese…

But, even past the hurdle of Christmas and New Year’s, we’ve got the Super Bowl and then Valentines Day to deal with….

Valentine's Day Snack - Fruit & Cheese Heart Platter ... — Valentine’s Day Snack – Fruit & Cheese Heart Platter. Cheese again.

After Valentine’s Day, Easter is just a short hop away.

And you know what that means – jellybeans. I admit I’ve got a jellybean problem – I even tried to explain to That Man how jellybeans are actually vegetables.

He was not convinced. Neither was I, really.

Jellybeans are so small... — Jellybeans are so small… nd they’re beans, right?

Clearly, I can’t be trusted, so no more jellybeans for me – I won’t even bring them in the house.

Except for my magic Sports Beans – which have saved my bacon (no! no bacon!) many times on the trail in the heat of summer.

They even have caffeine 🙂

And just get away from me with that cheese tray….

TAKEAWAY LESSON: Any diet begins in the grocery store!!

I hope you’ll find my Training Log ramblings to be helpful- or at least amusing! 🙂 To see more of them go to my Training Log.

You could also take a look at my 8 Weeks to Awesome Training Plan post, if you want to see what kind of training I’m doing.

Thanks for stopping by – see you next time! LJ

To get New Idratherwalk Posts
sent directly to your inbox (how convenient!) Click this Button!

8 Weeks to Awesome (Again) – Hike Training Plan

Most recently updated July 15th, 2024

Estimated Reading Time: 12 minutes

Somehow we’re back again to the time of year when everyone resolves to change their lives (or themselves) for the better.

That also means it’s time to get into my hike training plan “8 Weeks to Awesome” again!

It's time for New Year's Resolutions again! Or, just set some goals . — It’s time for New Year’s Resolutions again! Or, just set some goals .

So, that’s why this year I’m calling it: “8 Weeks to Awesome (Again)”.

Also, my hiking group and this 8 week hiking plan was recently featured in Cary Magazine, so I guess I gotta keep doing it 😉

Though I don’t really think New Year’s Resolutions work, I do believe you can set a goal and achieve it!

This hike training plan starts with setting your own individual goal – basically, deciding what you’re training for.

One of the fun T-shirts available in the IRW Merch shop.

Your goal may be to increase your ability to:

- - Hike a longer distance, or
  - Hike at a faster speed, or
  - Be better at elevation gain – or even, yes,
  - The dreaded weight-loss goal!

Or, your goal could be to complete an epic Bucket List hike on a planned (or dreamed of!) trip for the coming year.

If you’re looking for a way to get back into shape before Spring – even if you don’t have a big trip coming – this hike training plan could be just what you need!

Read more to learn how to set up a hike training plan for your own individual goals!

Continue reading 8 Weeks to Awesome (Again) – Hike Training Plan

On the Comeback Trail – Training After An Injury

Most recently updated January 18th, 2022

Estimated Reading Time: 12 minutes

Training back to your “normal” fitness level after an injury or illness can be very discouraging.

It’s especially devastating if you’d been training towards a specific goal, like a race or an epic hike.

I’m currently training back from illness/injury for the third time this year. Ugh!

But it sure beats not being able to work out at all.

So, just in case you’re new around here, I’ve been spending 8 weeks training (again!) for a specific amazing hike.

Last time, I did this training to hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing in New Zealand.

The hike was wonderful!

I just managed to squeak that trip in very early last Spring before travel was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

So this time, I’m training for an amazing hike in Kauai.

This trip has already been rescheduled twice due to COVID travel restrictions.

But even if the hike has to be cancelled again, training as if it’s going to happen will get me back in great shape 🙂

While I’m very impatient with it, I’ve found that it’s possible to do meaningful training while you’re still recovering from injury without pushing yourself too far, too soon.

It’s always good to have a plan! 🙂

Continue reading On the Comeback Trail – Training After An Injury

ReFit Week 6: It’s Never Over

Most recently updated January 17th, 2022

– – Week 6 – the final week – of the ReFit Training is finished. Yay!!!

And I did go to see the Doc – which you may recall, was the endpoint for this training series because with all of the COVID-19 trail closures, it was hard to plan for a specific hike .

Here’s what I did this week and how the Doc visit went….

Week 6 Recap

Week 6 was another hot, hot, hot! week weather-wise, and I was still recovering from some dehydration from the week before.

So the first couple of days I did my main daily exercise indoors – kickboxing, treadmill runs, weights.

Some tools for indoor training in the home gym.

Midweek I was back out on the trail locally in Bond Park for a quick 6 mile walk before it got too hot.

Thursday I did the unthinkable – I took a rest day 🙂

That was also the day I went in for my checkup with the Doc.

The Checkup

The good news is, apparently I’m going to live forever!

The bad news is, I didn’t reach my weight goal. I blame licorice and chocolate sorbet…. 😉

But seriously, I’m not too worried.

My clothes all still fit, and the weight loss was my own goal – not mandated by illness or anything.

I just generally feel better and more energetic when I’m a bit lighter.

I’ll keep working on it – hopefully without obsessing too much. Because no one needs more stress these days!

Actually, with all of the stress and forced inactivity due to COVID-19 restrictions, it could be a lot worse…

Stress and Weight Gain

Stress can leave you open to a lot of illnesses.

With all that’s been going on the past few months – health worries, job and financial losses, enforced isolation, restricted movements, killings and riots, incessant political noise, etc – we’ve all had a lot of reason to be stressed out.

And we can all agree that too much stress is bad for you.

Excess stress can lead to headaches, digestive and sleep problems, and depression.

Stress can also wreak havoc on metabolism and cause stress-induced weight gain.

For some time we’ve known about the connection between stress and weight gain, specifically due to an increase in cortisol levels.

What is Cortisol?

Cortisol is a hormone that your body releases when you’re feeling physical or psychological stress.

The hormone raises your blood pressure and blood sugar and can suppress the immune system.

Higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol have also been shown to increase appetite.

Stressed to the Max

Fresh fruits and veggies are part of a healthy diet.

Psychologist Leslie Heinberg, PhD. , Director of Behavioral Services for the Bariatric and Metabolic Institute at Cleveland Clinic, agrees that the link between stress and weight gain is real.

Healthy habits like getting enough sleep, exercising and eating a healthy diet are harder to maintain when you feel like you’re maxed out emotionally, she says.

3 Tips to Fight Weight Gain

But even if you can’t fix the causes of your stress, you can make small changes to try to minimize offset the effects.

Here are three tips that might help you fight stress-induced weight gain:

ONE: Choose Your Fats Wisely

Fat is important to feel full, and it’s also one of your body’s key building blocks. But to keep it in balance, try to choose only one high-fat item per meal.

For example, if you have a healthy salad for lunch, don’t include both olive oil and avocado – just choose one of those things.

So, if you want avocado on your salad, use a balsamic vinegar dressing rather than an oil-based vinaigrette.

TWO: Adjust Your Meal Proportions

To reduce calories, shift your servings a bit to slash calories without having to eat less food.

Trading in a portion of dense grains for low-cal veggies is an easy way to accomplish a quick calorie savings that doesn’t require sacrificing volume.

For example, if you’re eating rice and veggies for a meal, shift the balance to include more veggies and less rice.

Eating 1.5 cups of veggies and .5 cup of brown rice instead of 1 cup of each can easily save you 60-75 calories. Those small savings will add up over time.

THREE: Take a Quick Post-Meal Walk

Take a short walk to boost your metabolism.

A study from George Washington University found that taking a 15-minute walk after meals helped normalize blood sugar levels for up to three hours after eating.

If you don’t have 15 minutes, even a 5 minute walk – just to break from sitting to get your blood pumping – can shift your metabolism.

It can also be a time to clear your head, connect with nature, or catch up with a walking buddy – all of which can help reduce feelings of stress.

Back to the Woods

Later in the week, the weather cooled down a bit and I’d recovered from my dehydration, so I was ready to hit the woods again!

The Lake Trail goes past the Observation Tower at Lake Crabtree.

So on Friday (after a treadmill run indoors in the morning), I hiked around Lake Crabtree in the afternoon.

It was beautiful as usual – though I miss seeing the sailboats on the lake! (They’re not allowed now due to COVID-19 restrictions.)

Saturday, That Man and I got on the bikes and had a nice 20-mile ride on the greenways and the ATT.

A new section of the White Oak greenway connects Bond park and Davis Drive Park.

It was a gorgeous day, and the trails were surprisingly un-crowded.

Sunday, was my long hike for the week, a 8-9 miler in Umstead State Park, on a combination of Company Mill and Sycamore Trails.

A great group of hikers came with me 🙂

That hike was the end of my training week, and of this training series. But I’ll keep on going!

A stroller-friendly trial in Umstead State Park — A stroller-friendly trail in Umstead State Park

Training for Life

For me, training is never really over. Many active people are the same.

Even though our goals change from week to week, or year to year, we always keep moving forward and striving to improve.

Whether it’s a hiking to a new mountain summit, getting into a new dress, or mastering a new sport or skill, training towards a goal is what keeps us motivated and interested in what we’re doing.

The Tongariro Alpine Crossing was one of my Bucket List hikes.

What’s Your Next Adventure?

Although some destinations are still out of reach due to continuing COVID-19 restrictions, many State and National Parks are opening back up now.

I’ve got my eye on a few new adventures within driving distance of home, and I’m starting to get excited about it!

I might even start some new training hikes soon 🙂

If you’re local and would like to join us, check out the I’d Rather Walk Meetup for hike postings.

The Hawksbill Summit in Shenandoah National Park is an attainable goal for most hikers.

I hope you’ve found my Training Log ramblings to be helpful- or at least amusing! 🙂 To see more of them go to my Training Log. Take a look at my 6 Week Training Plan post to see the whole plan.

For some ideas for your next adventures, check out my Hiking Destinations page for outdoor vacation spots for you and your family.

Thanks for stopping by – see you next time! LJ

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