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