Well, things have been super busy lately and I haven't had any time to devote to my challenge. But not to worry, I will pick it back up after the wedding (25 days by the way)! For now exercise tv, occasional Vinyasa and walking an extra few blocks here and there will just have to do for now.
But hey, I did go mechanical bull riding this weekend at a friend's bachelorette party! I had to use my legs to hold on, and I'm sore as a result, so that has to count for something, right?
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Fun Exercise
The last two days have been full of exercise that has felt, well, fun! I am seriously loving this weather, and am so happy to be able to get out in it and do some exercising, although it might not be intentional. Yesterday I started the day off with some Vinyasa yoga at Yogis Studio with Joan. It was a great class that focused on balance, which was great for me. I seriously love yoga and think it will be a key factor in how quickly I reach my goal. Then, after yoga I went to the Alien Daze parade in downtown McMinnville with Janna, Kacie and Lizzie. I had no idea just how popular it is -- we had to park at least 6 blocks from Third Street where the parade was because there were so many people! Then, we walked up and down Third Street after the parade, window shopping, and wine tasting (not Kacie), and by the time the day was over, I had walked 5,547 steps, which equated to about one mile.
Then, today, I had an equally fun time at middle school youth group. I lead the youth group with about five other adults from my church, and we took advantage of the nice weather. We met at Joe Dancer park and played kickball. It was so fun, and we played continuously for about an hour and fifteen minutes. I ran bases, ran after balls and caught one too! (*stifle laugh*) and had a great time, and while I don't have any idea how far that added up to in terms of steps or distance, it doesn't matter. I got some fresh air, hung out with some fun adults and kids, and got to enjoy the beautiful weather.
I have to take this time to say how much I love living in Oregon, and yes, McMinnville. We have great opportunities to get out and do fun things around town with great people, and this weekend was a perfect example. Unfortunately I don't have any photos from the Alien parade to show you, or of our kick ball game, but I guess you can't always plan to take pictures of the best moments. They just sort of happen!
Then, today, I had an equally fun time at middle school youth group. I lead the youth group with about five other adults from my church, and we took advantage of the nice weather. We met at Joe Dancer park and played kickball. It was so fun, and we played continuously for about an hour and fifteen minutes. I ran bases, ran after balls and caught one too! (*stifle laugh*) and had a great time, and while I don't have any idea how far that added up to in terms of steps or distance, it doesn't matter. I got some fresh air, hung out with some fun adults and kids, and got to enjoy the beautiful weather.
I have to take this time to say how much I love living in Oregon, and yes, McMinnville. We have great opportunities to get out and do fun things around town with great people, and this weekend was a perfect example. Unfortunately I don't have any photos from the Alien parade to show you, or of our kick ball game, but I guess you can't always plan to take pictures of the best moments. They just sort of happen!
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Finally! A Weather-Permitting Walk
Well, I just got back from my first walk in a few weeks! The weather was so nice today (about 70) and I didn't have any meetings tonight, so I really had no excuse to not go for a walk. Mom walked over to meet me and Janna and we walked a bike/walking path that goes through town. I actually used to ride my bike on that path when I was younger, but hadn't used it since then.
It was a really nice walk, and we were even a bit too warm! A nice change from the cold, rainy weather we've been having. We passed some kids riding bikes, some scary barking dogs behind fences, and even a guy walking down the path with a can can of Coke. (Isn't that sort of a bad idea? To go walking with a can of Coke? Last I heard drinking water while exercising was a better idea, but oh well.)
It's too bad I am moving out in 36 days, otherwise I know I'd get a lot of use out of that path this summer. Guess I'll just have to find some good paths around Linfield's campus :)
May 13 Summary:
Miles walked: .8 (I had my pedometer set to kilometers...and thought I walked 1.29 miles, until I saw the little 'km'...)
Rests: Twice
Where: Walking path through residential neighborhoods
Weather: about 70 degrees and sunny!
Walking partner(s): Janna and my mom
It was a really nice walk, and we were even a bit too warm! A nice change from the cold, rainy weather we've been having. We passed some kids riding bikes, some scary barking dogs behind fences, and even a guy walking down the path with a can can of Coke. (Isn't that sort of a bad idea? To go walking with a can of Coke? Last I heard drinking water while exercising was a better idea, but oh well.)
It's too bad I am moving out in 36 days, otherwise I know I'd get a lot of use out of that path this summer. Guess I'll just have to find some good paths around Linfield's campus :)
May 13 Summary:
Miles walked: .8 (I had my pedometer set to kilometers...and thought I walked 1.29 miles, until I saw the little 'km'...)
Rests: Twice
Where: Walking path through residential neighborhoods
Weather: about 70 degrees and sunny!
Walking partner(s): Janna and my mom
Monday, May 10, 2010
Benefits of a Pedometer
I really feel like I have been slacking on my challenge. I have been so busy, and the weather so crummy that walking outside just hasn't been happening. But, don't worry, I haven't forgotten about my goal!
In fact, I have still been walking a lot, even if it hasn't been on a track or for laps at a time. I have been wearing my pedometer religiously and having it has really made me aware of how many steps I take in a day.
For those of you know don't know, I spend 7 hours a day sitting at a desk in an office. I work at a computer screen or sit in meetings for most of my work day, and aside from the occasional errand, or walking to and from my car, I normally don't do a whole lot of walking (which aside from being tiring, it's not a healthy thing!).
However, having my pedometer really motivates me to get extra steps in throughout the day. I work downtown in McMinnville and as a result, there isn't a lot of parking that isn't limited to two hours. Normally I fight for a few coveted spots kitty corner to the office so I don't have to walk far, but lately I have been parking in the parking garage 2 blocks away. It's not a lot more walking, but I park on the other side of the structure and at the top of the ramp, so when I walk to and from the office I add at least a thousand steps to my day. It takes a few more minutes to get to work, but it's really beneficial.
I also try to get up and walk more around the office. I walk around when I talk on the phone (when I can) and I take walks around the block to stretch my legs. Not only does it give me some extra steps to add to my pedometer, but it also gives me fresh air, relieves the stress on my back form sitting so much, and I can focus better after I take a break.
I think a lot of people could really benefit from owning a pedometer. It especially helps those of us who have sedentary jobs. Right now I walk about 25oo steps a day, which I am sure is more than if I didn't have a pedometer. I like to see how many steps I have taken at certain points in the day, and if the number isn't as high as I want it to be, I make a more conscious effort to get up and walk.
I was talking to Janna one day about my pedometer and how much I walk. She is a teacher and I bet she walks 10,000 steps a day. So I am curious. Do any of you blog readers wear a pedometer? And if so, what's your occupation and average steps?
In fact, I have still been walking a lot, even if it hasn't been on a track or for laps at a time. I have been wearing my pedometer religiously and having it has really made me aware of how many steps I take in a day.
For those of you know don't know, I spend 7 hours a day sitting at a desk in an office. I work at a computer screen or sit in meetings for most of my work day, and aside from the occasional errand, or walking to and from my car, I normally don't do a whole lot of walking (which aside from being tiring, it's not a healthy thing!).
However, having my pedometer really motivates me to get extra steps in throughout the day. I work downtown in McMinnville and as a result, there isn't a lot of parking that isn't limited to two hours. Normally I fight for a few coveted spots kitty corner to the office so I don't have to walk far, but lately I have been parking in the parking garage 2 blocks away. It's not a lot more walking, but I park on the other side of the structure and at the top of the ramp, so when I walk to and from the office I add at least a thousand steps to my day. It takes a few more minutes to get to work, but it's really beneficial.
I also try to get up and walk more around the office. I walk around when I talk on the phone (when I can) and I take walks around the block to stretch my legs. Not only does it give me some extra steps to add to my pedometer, but it also gives me fresh air, relieves the stress on my back form sitting so much, and I can focus better after I take a break.
I think a lot of people could really benefit from owning a pedometer. It especially helps those of us who have sedentary jobs. Right now I walk about 25oo steps a day, which I am sure is more than if I didn't have a pedometer. I like to see how many steps I have taken at certain points in the day, and if the number isn't as high as I want it to be, I make a more conscious effort to get up and walk.
I was talking to Janna one day about my pedometer and how much I walk. She is a teacher and I bet she walks 10,000 steps a day. So I am curious. Do any of you blog readers wear a pedometer? And if so, what's your occupation and average steps?
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Walk Like a Chicken
Today was the Crop Walk and it was really fun! I was actually nervous for it because I didn't have a buddy who I knew would walk with me and rest when I had to. Well, I shouldn't have worried! Autumn and Amy Spence were there from church, and I just adore Autumn (Amy's daughter). She is the cutest, funniest and spunkiest kid you'll meet, and she got permission from Amy to walk with me. She was a great sport and rested with me when I needed to. We walked with our church group at first, but then as I got tired, we took some shortcuts to meet up with the group again.
I told Autumn all about my condition, and that my legs look funny when I get tired. So every time I started to get tired, she'd notice and comment. She even exclaimed once "when you are tired, you walk like a chicken." It was hilarious, and I told her that one of my friends used to call me Clidesdale Kelly, because of the way my gait changes when I get tired. So she of course thought that was funny and told me I was walking like a horse (Amy, if you ever read this, don't worry--it doesn't bother me at all!).
Amy joined us after awhile and we continued on our way. In the end, we walked about 1.28 miles of the 2 mile course. I really appreciate Amy and Autumn staying with me. It was a lot of fun and I got to hang out with two of the coolest girls I know!
Once we returned to the start, we got to paint our feet and put them on a big canvas sign with Crop Walk 2010. It was great and I can't wait to do it next year. Maybe then I will be able to walk the whole 2 mile course!
(I can't figure out how to flip this picture!)
I told Autumn all about my condition, and that my legs look funny when I get tired. So every time I started to get tired, she'd notice and comment. She even exclaimed once "when you are tired, you walk like a chicken." It was hilarious, and I told her that one of my friends used to call me Clidesdale Kelly, because of the way my gait changes when I get tired. So she of course thought that was funny and told me I was walking like a horse (Amy, if you ever read this, don't worry--it doesn't bother me at all!).
Amy joined us after awhile and we continued on our way. In the end, we walked about 1.28 miles of the 2 mile course. I really appreciate Amy and Autumn staying with me. It was a lot of fun and I got to hang out with two of the coolest girls I know!
Once we returned to the start, we got to paint our feet and put them on a big canvas sign with Crop Walk 2010. It was great and I can't wait to do it next year. Maybe then I will be able to walk the whole 2 mile course!
(I can't figure out how to flip this picture!)
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