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Monday, October 1, 2012

The Walking Girl

I'm one of the walking girls. There are a group of us who are doing a virtual walk....for the month of September I walked 67 miles. Not too bad for a 50 year old, out of shape, overweight woman. That averages about 2 miles a day. You can read a little more about us here. http://deardiaryiamfatnowwhat.blogspot.com/2012/10/day-77-october-is-here-and-where-are.html I'm glad my friend is keeping track of my miles, because I'm simply not organized enough to do it. Some of these girls may be joining me on my Appalachian Trail hike, I hope so.

My goal for this month is to build up to 5 miles a day and to lose at least another 10 pounds, which is how much I lost in September. As some of you already know, I'm planning a hike on the Appalachian Trail starting next June. I already have some friends who I have never met, except on Facebook, who are going to try to meet me somewhere along the trail. I'm excited!

I bumped up my workout today, I now incorporate some at home strength training along with my cardio walking workout. I know I'm going to have to get to a gym and find a trainer soon. I really need to start using a stair stepper and elliptical to help build my legs and help strengthen my knees. But because of finances and some family matters that may not happen as soon as I had hoped.

It's a good thing I live in the mountains of Pennsylvania. I can hike anytime I want, and the nearest trail is only about a mile from my house. The trails are part of a State trail and not quite as rugged as the AT can be in places, but there is a lot of up and down hiking, and a lot of rocks. I can actually walk a loop that's about 10 miles long. Up the mountain, along the ridge and then back down the mountain. You end up back where you started but never walk on the same spot twice. And there is a really cool fire tower at the top of the mountain and you can see for miles from up there. In another week or so the mountains should be on fire with the beauty of fall as the leaves are turning. Maybe I can get up there and take some pictures. The fire tower is about 5 miles up the trail, I think. I've never actually checked the mileage on driving up there, but I will. Maybe this weekend. Maybe I'll try to walk it with my trusty pedometer. Yes, maybe I'll give that a try.

I need to come up with a trail name, and I know that will come with time. I have one in mind but need to talk to my family first. I have a name I would like to use in memory of my brother in law who passed away of a heart attack at the young age of 46. I really miss him.

I worked out extra hard today and hope not to be too sore come morning. Honey, one of my cats decided to help me with my crunches. She thought it would help if she jumped from the window to my belly while I was lying on my back, talk about tightening your abs. Wow, she only weighs about 8 pounds, but it was enough to make me tighten my abs really tight before she landed. She's such a good kitty. Then she proceeded to sit on my belly as I finished the other eight crunches, just staring intently into my eyes forcing me to give all I could without knocking her off balance. It was quite the workout, if I do say so myself. I hope she doesn't decide to help train me everyday.

If I can keep up this pace, I should be able to lose at least 90 pounds in the next 9 months. I'm hoping for more, but we'll see. That would take me to about 170 pounds before I hit the trail, I would really like to be at 150 when I start and down to around 135 when I finish. This is my long term goal and I truly believe it is an achievable goal. I just have to go and make it come true.

 
 Well friends, until next week, keep your spirits high, and your dreams even higher. And remember.....Always shoot for the moon, because even if you miss, you'll still land among the stars.

Debbie,
The Real Happy Homemaker                                

10 comments:

  1. Just found your page from Cozycakes Cottage facebook page. I am so impressed with your story. Loosing weight is a challenge! I know! I used to live in West Virginia, so I know mountains. Good luck to you and I look forward to reading more of your success story! Tell your kitty to keep helping you get strong!

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    1. Well thank you Cynthia for leaving a comment. I used to live in WV too and I loved it. Hope to go back someday. I post about my journey on Mondays, but as my Appalachian Trail hike gets closer, that may change. I may just have to post more because I am so excited. And Honey, my kitty, has decided that if I'm doing crunches, she needs to be my coach...I hope she doesn't gain any more weight...she's heavy when she jumps on my belly. (umph)

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  2. Just found your page from Cozycakes Cottage as well. I am joining you on your journey! I blog about my journey and other things that make up my life. http://simple-yes-easy-no.blogspot.com

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    1. Hello Jill,

      I just added your blog to my reading list so I can keep up with your posts. I really enjoy reading other blogs. It actually keeps me up to date on things that I'm interested in.....like real life. Thank you for sharing.

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  3. wow, you go girl!! We used to live in the mountains of NC and my dh would love to walk the AT...me, not so much. For a day but not weeks.
    Dawn

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    1. I used to live in NC, Clemmons, just outside of Winston/Salem. Loved visiting the mountains in NC. Had friends who had property up there and enjoyed getting away to the hill every so often. It was good for the soul. If you live anywhere near the trail now, we'll have to say hi to each other as I pass through. If not, I hope to keep touch with everyone via my blog and Facebook as I'm able along the trail. Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day.

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  4. Good for you! I love to walk. It becomes a form of moving meditation: good for my mind and my body! You've set some big goals but with that positive attitude, you're well on your way. :)

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    1. Aunt B,

      I can't believe I missed your post here. So sorry for taking so long to respond. I love to walk too and I try to walk a little further each day. With winter on the way, I'm looking at maybe getting a treadmill or at least a recumbent bicycle. That way my father in law can work out a little too. He just moved in with us yesterday and needs to start getting a little exercise.

      Thanks again for stopping by, and I'm so sorry about not seeing your post. I don't know why I didn't see it, I must have been really tired or something.

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  5. Glad to find your blog and join you in this journey albeit virtually! Every journey starts with a single step and it's inspiring to read about your goals and how to get there. Thanks for dropping by manilaspoon - Abby - new site follower, too.

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    1. Hello Abby,
      Glad you can join me even if it's only virtual. Thank you for the support both with my bog and with my journey. I thought I had you on my reading list and didn't, but I got you on there now. I'm going to go check out the recipes and see if I can prepare any of them. The bread you posted today looks wonderful, but it's really, really, not on my diet, but oh my!!!...
      Hope to see you here again. I post on Mondays about my walking and fitness journey so I hope you can drop by again.
      Blessings,
      Debbie
      The Real Happy Homemaker

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