Urban Adventure

This week, BFF and I decided to try something new in order to squeeze some fresh air and exercise into our schedules.

The plan was this : she would walk from her office, I  would walk from home, we'd meet up at a halfway point and finish the walk home together. The total walk would be approximately 3.5 miles. Easy peasy!

The first part of the walk was filled with streets, sidewalks, cars, and office buildings. Nothing relaxing about that but at least we were soaking up some sunshine!

We chose to take the scenic route home and cut through a large city park. Nothing like a nice nature walk to clear the mind after a crazy day of work. We could have done without the mosquitoes! Yuck!

It was a pleasant surprise to find some cool urban art on the park trail. BFF couldn't resist taking pictures of the colorful displays. It felt like we had discovered some modern hieroglyphs.

I was fascinated at how nature was beginning to reclaim it's place in the city. I imagined that, if left alone, the concrete terraces and bridges would be overgrown with vegetation and wildlife in a few years. I kinda like that idea.

It was a great time and we are both looking forward to our next urban adventure. You never know what you can find in your own neighborhood!

Happy Trails!

Valeka 

                                     

No Excuses

“I hated every minute of training, but I said, don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life a champion.” – Muhammad Ali


"Transformation is not five minutes from now; it's a present activity. In this moment you can make a different choice, and it's these small choices and successes that build up over time to help cultivate a healthy self-image and self esteem." - Jillian Michaels


Many of us have desk jobs and for the most part, that's a good thing because we don't have to work outdoors in harsh elements on a daily basis.  But it does mean that our activity levels are not what they should be.  

My life has been pretty hectic for the past month or so.  I'm spending a lot more time writing and that means, more sitting.  No one gets healthier from sitting all day so I have a few ideas on how to give your tush a break from the chair.  I've tried all of these and they have helped me to get in some activity when I absolutely have to work on my computer.  These can all be done in short 5 minute bursts throughout your day or during your lunch break.  And taking a 5 minutes to do this for yourself is MUCH better than using the same minutes to visit the fridge for a scoop of ice cream!  
I have a couple of yoga apps on my Iphone that get me moving but my favorite one is Simply Yoga.  It gives the option to choose a 20, 40 or 60 minute work out.  The app has videos that demonstrate the poses to be used for the routine you have selected.  I'm no expert but it has helped improve my balance and flexibility.  Looking down the road, better balance will help me when I start trail running in the fall.

I've also taken up what I call "commercial break work outs."  These are usually a series of various old-school exercises like jumping jacks, squats, planks, crunches, lunges, calf raises and push ups.  This is very effective!  You would be amazed at how much you can get done during a 3 minute commercial break!  And speaking of "old-school", I found a jump rope in my closet a few weeks ago.  I may need to bust that out for some quick cardio!     

Another thing that I do is run "laps" out in the breezeway in front of my apartment.  I like to take Big Baby along when I do this.  It gets us outside for a few minutes and makes us both pretty happy!

So, there ya have it!  A few ideas that are easy, effective and, best of all, CHEAP or FREE!  All you have to do is invest a few minutes of your time to make them work for you.  You (and I) have no excuse to not get in some exercise when it really is pretty easy to fit into even the most fast-paced day!

Happy Trails!
Valeka 

Weather Or Not

Never trust a skinny ice cream man. - Ben Cohen

Without ice cream, there would be darkness and chaos. - Don Kardong

I must admit, this hot weather has made me a little lax in the exercise department.  In my post, Hotness, I talked about how I've been using the swimming pool to help me get in some exercise without worrying about the overwhelming heat.  So far, it's worked well but I'm a wee bit bored with it already.

I've done some yoga and Pilates but for me, nothing can replace being on the trail. That's where I belong but no matter how much I've attempted to acclimate this year, the heat has been unbearable and my body hasn't responded well to it.  As much as I love getting hot and sweaty during workouts, sunburn, headaches and frequent dehydration (no matter HOW much electrolyte replacement drinks I chug) isn't all that appealing.  This summer, the weather has not been my friend.

But...whether the weather cooperates or not, I still need to keep my butt moving.  If I give myself the chance to sit on the sofa and devour ice cream, I'll do it and do it BIG.  We are talking a double or triple scoop dish with whipped cream, nuts, and a cherry on top!  Not using the inferno-like weather as an excuse is hard to do but it has helped me to explore other options and it does make me feel less guilty if I do indulge in a small scoop of ice cream.

This week, I'll be swimming at Barton Springs Pool, doing some canoeing (which I have discovered that I LOVE), and going to a water park.  In between all of that, I hope to get in some walks...and maybe a little ice cream.

Happy Trails!
Valeka

Hotness

What dreadful hot weather we have! It keeps me in a continual state of inelegance - Jane Austen

The Texas sizzle is now in full swing!  The past few weeks have had days with temperatures of 100+ degrees.  The only time it is cool enough to go running is at 2 a.m. and I'm not going to do that!  All of this hotness makes staying indoors with some ice cream and a frosty air conditioner blasting so very appealing.  I've been combating the laziness and the urge to indulge in cold, sweet treats by taking a dip in the the pool on almost a daily basis.

I do my own little version of aqua jogging and water aerobics.  I swim a few laps, run in place, do standing crunches for my tummy, and repeat.  I must say, it's working pretty well.  The beauty of it is that I am getting in a good work out without the stress on my joints from running and I'm staying cool.  Plus, the water resistance is great for strength training!  The downside is that Big Baby can't join me in the pool but I make it up to her with short little walks throughout the day.

The key to staying fit in this hot weather is to improvise!  Sure, it's hot as Hades outside but there are fun alternatives to running on trails.  If you happen to live in a very hot climate like I do, now is a good time to try out some different forms of exercise.  Zumba, kick-boxing, dance classes, and yoga are some good options for indoor workouts that still pack a punch.  Many places will even offer your first class for free just so you can try it out.  

If I am going to do anything outdoors, I try to do it really early in the morning since walking trails alone in the dark of night seems a wee bit dangerous to me from a safety stand-point!  And just because I am going out when it's relatively cooler doesn't mean I don't take water with me.  Staying hydrated is very important no matter how early one goes out.

Sooooo, there ya have it - no excuse to miss work outs during the dog days of summer  After all, we have to maintain our hotness regardless of the temperature!

Happy Trails,

Valeka

           

The Great Outdoors

What a GREAT extended weekend I had full of sun and fun times with friends!  The camping getaway was kept pretty simple.  We visited one of the beautiful state parks here in Texas - Garner State Park.  It seemed like a great place to go for a little relaxation and exercise (yes, the two can go hand in hand).

Big Baby went along for the trip.  It was her first time swimming AND her first time camping.  I wasn't sure how she would do but she handled it like an old pro!  We found our campsite and put up our tent.  I was expecting to have problems putting it up but it came together without a hitch!  BB felt right at home inside of it.   

We did a lot of walking on rocky trails and cooled our feet in the refreshing, clear water.  Big Baby enjoyed herself and so did I.  All of the troubles and negativity of the previous weeks seemed to drift away with each ripple of water that hit my legs.

 

I got in some great hiking and swimming while I was there.  The trip helped me realize how disconnected I had become from nature.  I get so much of my energy and joy from being outdoors.  Big Baby seemed to reflect my renewed feeling of happiness.

The days seemed to drift by too quickly.  My time away was exactly what I needed.  I did a lot of reflecting and gave thought to things I had been putting on the back burner.  All in all, my mini vacation was everything I hoped it would be.  I can't wait to get back out and have some more adventures!!

Happy Trails!
Valeka    

 

Cookin' It Up

Food is an important part of a balanced diet. - Fran Lebowitz

I made a conscious effort to cook more at home this week.  Not only is it easier on my pocketbook but it's also much healthier for me.  I can control what I am eating and how it is being prepared.  I need that to keep myself on track with my slow but sure weight loss (down 10 pounds since March - YIPPEE!).

Most of the things I make are modified versions of my favorite foods - turkey burgers, oven-baked chicken tenders, whole grain and flax pancakes.  I'm not much of a cook but I try to make things that are tasty but good for me.  I don't want to give up flavor because I have to watch what I eat.

I had to celebrate my Mexican-American heritage on Cinco De Mayo with some Mexican comfort food but I didn't want to go out and have a plate of greasy nachos (although it was very, VERY tempting to do).  Instead, I made some delicious fish tacos at home.  They were super easy and filling.  I used tilapia filets, added a black bean and corn salsa that I made and topped with shredded cabbage and cilantro.  I also sneaked in a little touch of avocado.  I was pretty proud of myself!

I'm trying to keep the cooking at home thing easy because, I know myself, and if it isn't easy I won't stick with it.  I don't have time to do the whole gourmet cooking thing and, quite frankly, I don't want to be in my kitchen for hours at a time.  It needs to be simple, fresh and healthy.  So far so good!  It's pretty encouraging!

The healthy cooking plus regular walks will continue to give me the results that I need.  Slow and steady wins the race!

Happy Trails!
Valeka   

  

Brushy Creek Trail

Big Baby and I had another wonderful trail adventure.  Springtime in Texas means a sea of wildflowers and lush greenery.  It's my favorite time of year!  We started our trek on the Brushy Creek Trail.  It's a nice quiet trail with lots of things to see and do.

 

Big Baby and I got to admire our lovely state flower, the Texas Bluebonnet.  Some fields looked like they were covered in a beautiful blue blanket.  

The weather was warm but there was a breeze with a hint of coolness from the recent rains we had a few days before.  The sound of the flowing water in the little creek near the trail was very relaxing.  We spotted a couple of ducks enjoying a swim in the creek.

Big Baby and I had fun getting muddy and wet as we traversed puddles on the trail.  BFF kept her distance and took pictures so she wouldn't get splashed.  Splashing through mud puddles always makes me smile but would have been more fun if she had gotten splashed! 

We took our time and enjoyed the scenery.  It was beautiful!

Big Baby had a good time sniffing and exploring.  We even came across a teeny little snake! (it looks like a stick in the picture because BFF couldn't get close enough.  That little sucker moved quick!!)

Before we realized it, we had reached the mile marker letting us know that it was time to turn around and make our way back to our car (and some clouds started rolling in, too.)  The marker was about 2.5 miles from where we started.  We had a great 5 mile walk!  YAY us!

It was a great outing!  Big Baby was nice and tired when we were done.  She had a blast!  I will definitely take her on that trail again very soon (like this week!). 

Hope everyone is getting out to enjoy the great outdoors.  And if you aren't, you should.  There is an adventure waiting for you!

Happy Trails!
Valeka

Beautiful Day

Today, Big Baby and I went out for a late afternoon walk.  The sofa was stuck to my butt but the weather was too beautiful to not get out and enjoy it.  I am pretty lucky to live where I do.  I live smack dab between two parks complete with greenbelt trails (no excuse to not get any walking/wogging/running done - EVER).  We made our way down the sidewalk and towards the park.

I am not much for running on sidewalks or asphalt so I didn't subject BB to it either.  We walked until we reached the gravel trail.

We finally arrived at our little park.  BB was super duper excited to get there and didn't want to waste any time walking.  She wanted to gallop!!  Of course, I am NOT in galloping shape so we did "wog" and that seemed to satisfy her for the moment.

We continued on and enjoyed the sites and sounds of nature.  She is literally my eyes and ears on the trail.  Sometimes I overlook the little things because I am too busy focusing on the big picture (time, mileage, steps, my butt jiggling).  BB slows down my brain and makes me relax.  I love her for that.

It was such a wonderful day out.  The sun was shining and there was a light breeze.  Days like this are truly a blessing.  BB and I took a few pauses on the trail to enjoy our time together.

We continued on our way and took in some more of the sites in the park.

We decided it was time to head home. 

But before we left, she took a whiff of a mountain laurel.  For those of you that have never seen one, the purple blossoms smell EXACTLY like grape-scented bubble gum.  BB and I love to breath in the scent.  Heavenly!

We headed back out on the sidewalk to make our way home.  BB was one tired pooch by the end of our adventure.

It was a great day spent doing something that I love with one of my beautiful fur babies.  It doesn't get much better than that!

Happy Trails!
Valeka

(A special "thank you" to BFF for taking the photos for this post)