A new goal?

It is hard to remember to post a blog and keep up with it all. But its been a while and I felt it might be time for an update. 

In Feb I had a wonderful trip out to CA to visit family and get away from some winter. It was absolutely grand and I couldn't have asked for better weather. It was wonderful to see the family and take some time to relax. 

While I was in CA,  I borrowed a GPS my brother had so I could track the walks I have been doing.  I have been walking pretty regular now for more than two months and I had always wondered, how far I am actually going.  I was surprised to see that I was making it about 2 miles. Not bad!  I also noticed maybe I wasn't feeling as challenged these days. Maybe it is time to up the ante. 

So I got myself an attachment for my ipod that tracks my distance.  Now I know how far I am going and how fast.  I have also started doing a run/walk combo.  I can't believe I am doing it but I am! 

So the next thing is to make a decision.  Do I sign up for a race?  I have almost reached a decision, but I am not quite there.  I really do not want to commit to something unless I KNOW I can do it.  And when i say do it I mean actually run the entire race.  My speed makes very little difference to me because honestly just running for any period of time is an absolute miracle. 

The other concern is making sure I know I can fit in the proper amount of trainng time.  I think I have the motiviation and drive now but I have not yet decided. So in the coming weeks I will make a desicion.  Am I a runner?  Can I run a 5k ?  Only time will tell.

And I ran

At the gym these last few days I have started out with my normal walk around the track. I have been trying to walk for at least 30 min each time I go.  I have determined there is a particular heart rate I need to reach and stay at to burn fat the best.  These last few gym visits I have had trouble keeping my heart rate there. I actually had to RUN to to keep it right.  That's right, I said run. Me - Kristal - was running.  I don't run, I have never run.  I can't even believe my legs do that actually.  Well I guess that means I am actually improving my health. Must a be a good sign.  I still can't sustain a run for long but I am just amazed I was actually running.  Maybe I should consider a race in the future? 

Finding a pot of gold?

I have something I feel I need to write about but I am actually afraid to.  You see I have lost 7 lbs. Great news right?  Only I am actually afraid to write about it because it seems like when I say that I am doing well with my eating and exercising, things go south.  But this time things seem a bit different, like maybe I found a pot of gold. That gold is an eating plan I can actually live with, but let me start from the beginning.

I had some medical things come up which led me to have a blood test. Turned out I had a hormone out of whack. I started reading up on what this meant and saw a doctor.  It seems that I have a mild form of a possible hormone imbalance that amazingly can be helped mostly by eating a certain way - low carb.  Now, I was on the wave of trying the Atkins diet back in the day when it resurfaced as all the rage and after one week I could tell that it was NOT for me.  But as I have read about and put into action this recommended eating plan I am in awe at what's possible.  I have found a way to eat less carbs than what I did before AND even still enjoy some Cafe Mocha's from Starbucks, chocolate from time to time and still eat BREAD!  I can't tell you how amazed I am by this because I have lost that 7 lbs in about 3 weeks. Every other time I have tried to curb my eating, weeks would go by I would see no results Obviously this was frustrating.

I hope I can keep it up and continue to see results.  I will try each day.  In the meantime, I am just enjoying looking at the rainbow that came with my pot of gold  :-)

Winter Beauty

It isn't often that I speak the words winter and beauty in one sentence but recently I woke up to some amazing scenes. Something I don't remember seeing before. I stepped out my door to head to the gym pretty early in the morning and as Looked around everything was covered with what looked like can only be described as iced frost. It wasn't regular frost and it wasn't ice. It almost looked as if someone painted everything you could see white. It was really something. It was nice to be able to find the beauty in winter. Scenes like this make the 8 more weeks or so of winter yet to come more palatable.


I took a photo, however I doubt you will really be able to see what I am talking about. Hopefully you can and hopefully you can find the beauty of winter somewhere near you!

Time to make the donuts

Anybody remember the commercial from the 80s about the dunkin donuts guy? Here is a reminder just in case:



This gentleman's enthusiasm for having to get up and make the donuts is about how I felt today regarding my responsibilities. There was cleaning, laundry, dishes, bills, grocery shopping, coupon clipping, cats needs to be met, excercising to fit in, and more. Doesn't it sometimes seem like we just keep doing it all over and over again. I know that is part of life but it seemed like all day today each time I was getting through all those things I NEEDed to do rather than the things I WANTED to do I just kept hearing this guy saying "time to make the donuts"

But then, if you notice at the end of the commercial, he turns to see all the customers smiling happy faces and he knows that getting up to make those fresh donuts each day is actually worth it. As I sit here finally relaxing in front of my computer I look around at my finished laundry, vacummed room, cleaner house and I notice I am enjoying my full tummy from a good meal and a body that feels invigorated from a workout, I know it was all worth it. So I guess tomorrow I will get up and make some more donuts - or something like it ;-)

Christmas Laughs

I found this video last year and it made me smile. It might not be for everyone but I am sharing it because it made me chuckle. Enjoy!

Cat Snow Angels

Most of you who know me know that I walk my cats. For those of you who don't, yes, I walk my cats on a leash and they love it. They beg for it at the door just like a dog would (only they sound like a cat who is crying out in pain) And they even beg for it at a certain time of day. So knowing that they beg for it you can probably imagine that the change in seasons doesn't stop them one bit from wanting it. Therefore, unless it is below 20 degrees I take them out for a little while.

Recently we had our first snow of the season. You could seen the intrigue in their faces watching it come down. I bundled up and snapped on their harnesses and headed out. Though they don't last long being out in the snow, their brief period of time is pure enjoyment. Once they are out in it they jump and run and pounce. That is the best part, they crouch down as if the snow is their prey and then with each pounce makes more snow jump around and they just keep going after it. The track they leave behind is what my husband and I call Cat Snow Angels. I wish that I could video the whole thing but its hard to do with a cat on each hand pouncing in different directions.

So next time you are out in the snow just think like my cats do and see that snow as nothing but pure entertainment!