Mark and I went on our second training hike yesterday and again, it was a fun hike! (Click on the photo at the right to see pictures from the hike.) We started at Horsetooth Mtn trail head and finished at Arthur's Rock trail head in Fort Collins. It was a 7 mile hike with about a 1,000 feet gain in elevation; we got up to about 6,800 feet. It took us 5 hours and 45 minutes (those 45 mins were our breaks).
This hike was more difficult than our first as the trail was more rocky and we had a lot of uphill climbs. But despite the greater difficulty, I actually felt better after this one than the first one! Must be getting in better shape. Saw a few hikers and joggers on the trail until Horsetooth Falls. After that, hardly anyone! Very nice!
During the last 30 minutes of our hike, the wind kicked up and blew sustained 20 to 30 mph with wind gusts above that! We really lucked out on our timing because it got a lot worse shortly after we finished!
Our next hike is scheduled for Monday, March 26th and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the weather will be good. I want to get one more hike in before we leave to go visit Tom and Mona and Holly, Erich and the kids.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Fitness Progress Update
Today marks 3 months since I decided to refine my eating plan and begin in earnest working out 6 days a week. Thanks to my trainer, I've come a long way in just 12 weeks! I know over the past year, there have been multiple reports, TV shows, etc. stating that we should work out 5 to 6 days a week (for the rest of our lives). And my trainer gave me the tools as well as the accountability to get me on the right track. As a result, so far I've dropped almost 2 pants sizes!
I've lost 18 pounds and lost 18 1/4 inches overall. That's 6 1/2 inches in my waist, 4 inches in my hips, about 3 inches in each thigh, and dropped a bra size! It's no miracle, that's for sure. It's the result of a lot of hard work but it's well worth it; I was able to come off of my cholesterol medicine for the first time in 4 years!
I will continue my workouts forever, and will modify my workouts the days I'm on vacation. It can be done as I proved it to myself in January when I was back East. It's working for me because I finally changed my mindset. I was tired of my (excuse the expression) "half-assed" efforts. Diet, lose weight, inconsistent exercise, gain it back.
There is no easy solution. I have to put in the effort, 6 days a week. And, I proved to myself that even in menopause, I can lose weight!
I've lost 18 pounds and lost 18 1/4 inches overall. That's 6 1/2 inches in my waist, 4 inches in my hips, about 3 inches in each thigh, and dropped a bra size! It's no miracle, that's for sure. It's the result of a lot of hard work but it's well worth it; I was able to come off of my cholesterol medicine for the first time in 4 years!
I will continue my workouts forever, and will modify my workouts the days I'm on vacation. It can be done as I proved it to myself in January when I was back East. It's working for me because I finally changed my mindset. I was tired of my (excuse the expression) "half-assed" efforts. Diet, lose weight, inconsistent exercise, gain it back.
There is no easy solution. I have to put in the effort, 6 days a week. And, I proved to myself that even in menopause, I can lose weight!
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Updates
Gene's hernia operation went well although not everything is back to normal yet. He has an appointment on March 12th to see a urologist. Hopefully, things will be better by then. He is quite weak still and on pain medication. Mom says he seems a bit better today. More prayers needed for his recovery.
We spent yesterday with Sara and Sophia. Sophia was so cheery and having fun with a new walker toy that her Mommy got her at the store. She seemed to be doing much better! Still some sniffles but not bad.
I continue to have success at my weight loss and fitness plan. I'm feeling stronger every day. I really hope I can get off the statin drug so that I don't experience any of the side effects. I'm concerned about the recent warnings about memory loss, high blood sugar levels, and muscle pain! I'm taking a blood test on Tuesday to see how my cholesterol levels are since I've been working out 6 days a week for 3 months now. The numbers should be much better now.
So, here's a quick recap on my progress...I've lost 17 pounds, and just over 14.5 inches overall. This includes 5.5 inches in the waist and 3 inches in my hips and about 2.5 inches in each thigh. I've dropped one whole pants size and the size I'm in are loose now. Hope to lose another 8 pounds so that I can fit comfortably into size 12s.
We spent yesterday with Sara and Sophia. Sophia was so cheery and having fun with a new walker toy that her Mommy got her at the store. She seemed to be doing much better! Still some sniffles but not bad.
I continue to have success at my weight loss and fitness plan. I'm feeling stronger every day. I really hope I can get off the statin drug so that I don't experience any of the side effects. I'm concerned about the recent warnings about memory loss, high blood sugar levels, and muscle pain! I'm taking a blood test on Tuesday to see how my cholesterol levels are since I've been working out 6 days a week for 3 months now. The numbers should be much better now.
So, here's a quick recap on my progress...I've lost 17 pounds, and just over 14.5 inches overall. This includes 5.5 inches in the waist and 3 inches in my hips and about 2.5 inches in each thigh. I've dropped one whole pants size and the size I'm in are loose now. Hope to lose another 8 pounds so that I can fit comfortably into size 12s.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Operations
Little Sophia came through her ear procedure fine this morning, thank God! She had to have tubes put in her ears. My brother, Larry had a knee replacement operation about a week ago and seems to be progressing quite well with his rehab! And now my step dad is having a hernia operation tomorrow morning. I pray all goes well for him.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
We've Selected the 14'er
Grays Peak (14,270 feet) and Torreys Peak (14,267 feet)...these will be our first 14'er challenge this summer! We (Mark and I) will start our training with high altitude hikes on March 5th (if the weather is good). One of our friends (Paulette) hikes with a lady (Eileen) who is an expert hiker and she is willing to train us, too.
We need to get some really comfortable hiking shoes along with some other gear. So, I'm researching what we need to get now.
When I first started working out with my personal trainer this past December, he asked me if I had any specific goals that I wanted to achieve. And, along with losing weight and dropping a couple of sizes, I said it would be nice to hike a 14'er. He keeps asking me if I've selected one yet. He'll be pleasantly surprised when I see him tomorrow morning to know that I now have a plan!
I'm excited about this! The mountains are so beautiful and breathtaking and to think that I may be able to HIKE up a mountain (or two) that size is incredible! These two mountains are rated "moderate" difficulty. The round trip is 8 to 9 miles and the elevation gain is 3,000 to 3,600 feet. It should take 6 to 8 hours to accomplish.
This is an interesting and fun challenge for us! I'll write more updates on our training progress once we begin.
We need to get some really comfortable hiking shoes along with some other gear. So, I'm researching what we need to get now.
When I first started working out with my personal trainer this past December, he asked me if I had any specific goals that I wanted to achieve. And, along with losing weight and dropping a couple of sizes, I said it would be nice to hike a 14'er. He keeps asking me if I've selected one yet. He'll be pleasantly surprised when I see him tomorrow morning to know that I now have a plan!
I'm excited about this! The mountains are so beautiful and breathtaking and to think that I may be able to HIKE up a mountain (or two) that size is incredible! These two mountains are rated "moderate" difficulty. The round trip is 8 to 9 miles and the elevation gain is 3,000 to 3,600 feet. It should take 6 to 8 hours to accomplish.
This is an interesting and fun challenge for us! I'll write more updates on our training progress once we begin.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Band Plays for Elementary School Students
Our New Horizons Band played two sets today for students at Bauder Elementary School in Fort Collins. The kids are so cute and they love it when we show off all the instruments in the band. They seem to love the really big instruments (tuba and euphonium) as well as the loud instruments...percussion (bass drum and timpani). They also got a kick out of the smallest instrument (piccolo).
It's a shame that here in the Poudre School District, they can't start band until 6th grade which is middle school. I don't think they have a strings program either until then. The kids in Fairfax County, Virginia sure are lucky to be able to start early...4th grade!
We're playing again tomorrow for Lopez Elementary School in Fort Collins. And, we found out today that next Friday, we'll play for Johnson Elementary School in town, too.
It's a shame that here in the Poudre School District, they can't start band until 6th grade which is middle school. I don't think they have a strings program either until then. The kids in Fairfax County, Virginia sure are lucky to be able to start early...4th grade!
We're playing again tomorrow for Lopez Elementary School in Fort Collins. And, we found out today that next Friday, we'll play for Johnson Elementary School in town, too.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Happy Valentine's Day!
The sun is about to come up and despite the little bit of remaining snow on the ground and the cold chill in the air, it's another great day in Colorado! The cloudless sky will bring abundant sunshine today, a perfect backdrop for Valentine's Day!
I'm about to head downstairs to do an hour of my cardio workout before I have to get ready for band rehearsal this morning. I'll finish the rest of the workout later this afternoon. I'm still doing quite well on the weight loss (13 lbs. so far), although I have plateaued the past two weeks. But, the inches are still coming off! I've lost 5.5 inches in my waist and over 2 inches in my hips and thighs in just 8 weeks. Yay! It sure hasn't been easy, but it's become a habit and will stick with me the rest of my life...I'm sure of that!
I took a big step yesterday and got rid of ALL my big pants, even the practically new ones! Yes, rather than boxing them up, I gave them away! I will never go back to that size again!
Well, the spinning bike is calling so I must be off! Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!
I'm about to head downstairs to do an hour of my cardio workout before I have to get ready for band rehearsal this morning. I'll finish the rest of the workout later this afternoon. I'm still doing quite well on the weight loss (13 lbs. so far), although I have plateaued the past two weeks. But, the inches are still coming off! I've lost 5.5 inches in my waist and over 2 inches in my hips and thighs in just 8 weeks. Yay! It sure hasn't been easy, but it's become a habit and will stick with me the rest of my life...I'm sure of that!
I took a big step yesterday and got rid of ALL my big pants, even the practically new ones! Yes, rather than boxing them up, I gave them away! I will never go back to that size again!
Well, the spinning bike is calling so I must be off! Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!
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