Day 81 112314

While I did get two days in a row in I'm shutting it down for this year. It is frustrating to have the same left heel injury keep flaring up. May be contributing to some of my stress eating. Hopefully with two or three months to heal I'll be back to resume in the new year.

Heading into Thanksgiving week I will say I'm thankful for sheep and the wool they provide. The wool lining of my jacket makes days like this tolerable.

miles walked today: 1

walked this year: 34

total: 87

time today: 26 minutes

weather: 48 degrees, cloudy and 16 mph winds

weight: 228

weight loss this week: +3

weight lost since beginning: +2

Day 80 112214

miles walked today: 1

walked this year: 33

total: 86

time today: 27 minutes

weather: 56 degrees, partly cloudy and 11 mph winds

weight: 228

weight loss this week: +3

weight lost since beginning: +2

Day 79 110814

miles walked today: 1

walked this year: 32

total: 85

time today: 27 minutes

weather: 44 degrees, partly cloudy and 12 mph winds

weight: 219

weight loss this week: 1

weight lost since beginning: 7

Day 78 100514

Able to get back into a routine of walking two days in a row. Weeks of inactivity plus stress eating had allowed my weight to balloon up to 228 a few weeks ago which was 12 above my low for the year. I knew I had to make a change or three. First I adopted a suggestion from my wife's new inspiration Maria Menounos and started substituting fruit for what my normal dessert would be. I'm partial to frozen blueberries or frozen strawberries. Second I made the decision "no more seconds". One plate or bowl of whatever supper is will have to be enough. Plus it increases chances of taking something for lunch the next day. Finally I knew I had to get active again. The last two days are just a start.

miles walked today: 1

walked this year: 31

total: 84

time today: 26 minutes

weather: 53 degrees, mostly sunny and 10 mph winds

weight: 220

weight loss this week: ???

weight lost since beginning: 6

Day 77 100414

miles walked today: 1

walked this year: 30

total: 83

time today: 26 minutes

weather: 46 degrees, partly cloudy and 14 mph winds

weight: 220

weight loss this week: ???

weight lost since beginning: 6

Day 76 090614

Almost forgot to log it.

miles walked today: 1

walked this year: 29

total: 82

time today: 26 minutes

weather: 72 degrees, partly cloudy and 8 mph winds

weight: 220

weight loss this week: 0

weight lost since beginning: 6

Day 75 090114

Short walk on Labor Day. Trying to bounce back from left heel injury.

miles walked today: 1

walked this year: 28

total: 81

time today: 26 minutes

weather: 64 degrees, partly cloudy and 8 mph winds

weight: 220

weight loss this week: ??

weight lost since beginning: 6

Day 74 081014

There was a break in the rain of over a half hour and I set out hoping for the best. The humidity was 85% and might as well have been 100% because it felt like I was walking under water with how I was laboring. I was actually hoping for warmer temps so the water molecules wouldn't be so bunched together. Then as I approached the one mile point it started to rain lightly. That was a much more enjoyable form of water. As I came back off that third hill the wind seemed to pick up to help cool me down further. Yet it also made the terrain slicker at points. It was 22 minutes out and 23 back.

miles walked today: 2

walked this year: 27

total: 80

time today: 45 minutes

weather: 72 degrees, cloudy\rain and 5 mph winds

weight: 216

weight loss this week: 3

weight lost since beginning: 10

Day 73 080914

The sky looked like it would open up and pour on me at any minute but it held off for my walk. Good to get the blood pumping. 

In the past I've had circulation issues with my feet and to a lesser degree my hands. I had taken cinnamon supplements for quite awhile and it helped keep things in check. Then I let my supply lapse and after two weeks I started to feel it again especially when I tried to sleep. After a couple days of that last week I decided I better start introducing cinnamon to my diet again. So last Sunday I started mixing some in my oatmeal in the morning and in the afternoon I mixed cinnamon and honey in hot water to drink. By Wednesday I started to notice a difference especially when trying to sleep. By Friday night it seemed I was back to normal. Cinnamon and walking are now two things that are improving my health.

miles walked today: 2

walked this year: 25

total: 78

time today: 45 minutes

weather: 71 degrees, cloudy and 8 mph winds

weight: 216

weight loss this week: 3

weight lost since beginning: 10

Day 72 080314

Forced myself to get up for a morning walk to beat the heat after a night out with friends. That had me feeling in slow motion. Kind of was with 24 minutes out and 22 back.

miles walked today: 2

walked this year: 23

total: 76

time today: 46 minutes

weather: 77 degrees, sunny and 9 mph winds

weight: 219

weight loss this week: +2

weight lost since beginning: 7

Day 71 080214

Near perfect weather for a walk. Good pace for me with 22 minutes out and 21 back.

miles walked today: 2

walked this year: 21

total: 74

time today: 43 minutes

weather: 78 degrees, partly cloudy and 4 mph winds

weight: 217

weight loss this week: 0

weight lost since beginning: 9

Day 70 072714

It had been a hot week so I didn't get out until today.

miles walked today: 2

walked this year: 19

total: 72

time today: 46 minutes

weather: 80 degrees, sunny and 19 mph winds

weight: 217

weight loss this week: 0

weight lost since beginning: 9

Day 69 072014

miles walked today: 2

walked this year: 17

total: 70

time today: 44 minutes

weather: 82 degrees, partly cloudy and 17 mph winds

weight: 217

weight loss this week: 2

weight lost since beginning: 9

Day 68 071914

Change of scenery today as I walked part of the trail at one of the local lakes with the wife and kids. Due to the kids the pace was much slower but it still counts. 

miles walked today: 1

walked this year: 15

total: 68

time today: 36 minutes

weather: 74 degrees, mostly cloudy and 16 mph winds

weight: 217

weight loss this week: 2

weight lost since beginning: 9

Day 67 071814

First two mile walk since returning. Made sure not to start out too fast but did finish strong with a good last half mile.

miles walked today: 2

walked this year: 14

total: 67

time today: 45 minutes

weather: 78 degrees, partly cloudy and 13 mph winds

weight: 219

weight loss this week: 0

weight lost since beginning: 7

Day 66 071414

miles walked today: 1

walked this year: 12

total: 65

time today: 27 minutes

weather: 75 degrees, sunny and 20 mph winds

weight: 219

weight loss this week: 0

weight lost since beginning: 7

Day 65 071214

Okay three days back is a trend in the right direction. I had a series of health issues and am happy to be out walking again. I'd rather lose weight from exercise and diet than illness. Now to continue on the right path.

miles walked today: 1

walked this year: 11

total: 64

time today: 28 minutes

weather: 85 degrees, partly cloudy and 6 mph winds

weight: 219

weight loss this week: 2

weight lost since beginning: 7

Day 64 071114

miles walked today: 1

walked this year: 10

total: 63

time today: 28 minutes

weather: 83 degrees, partly cloudy and 8 mph winds

weight: 221

weight loss this week: 0

weight lost since beginning: 5

Day 63 071014

miles walked today: 1

walked this year: 9

total: 62

time today: 28 minutes

weather: 80 degrees and sunny

weight: 221

weight loss this week: ??

weight lost since beginning: 5

Day 62 012514

I tried to take advantage of the weather roller coaster with the sub zero temps during the week and raised temps on the weekend. There had been some projections of it reaching 40 today but I knew it wasn't going to get any better than the 34 when I started out. The warmth the sun tried to offer was easily negated by the slight wind. I thought about cutting it short then pressed on when I reached the first turn around point. I did the first mile in 24 minutes then picked up the pace. When I reached the summit of the third hill the sun returned. It is the first hill on the way out and the third hill on the return trip. The wind had died down and the sun offered a warm embrace of encouragement for the final stretch. That wasn't so bad.

miles walked today: 2

walked this year: 8

total: 61

time today: 46 minutes

weather: 34 degrees and partly cloudy with 7 mph winds

weight: 228

weight loss this week: 0

weight lost since beginning: +2

Day 61 011914

The weather was another much nicer than normal for January so I had to take advantage. I figured I could sacrifice miss watching some of the first football playoff game. I felt sluggish going out but was surprised when I reached the first mile marker and had done 21 minutes. I think not having the extra weight of a sweatshirt and jacket helped. Just wearing my favorite long sleeve t-shirt. As I approached 1.5 I thought about stepping it up on the last stretch but felt a twinge in my right heel. My body pulled up on the reigns and said not to over do it. There is a whole year ahead. Did the second mile in 22 minutes.

I changed the feedback some:

miles walked today: 2

walked this year: 6

total: 59

time today: 43 minutes

weather: 64 degrees and sunny with 19 mph winds

weight: 228

weight loss this week: 2

weight lost since beginning: +2

Day 60 011214

Able to take advantage of nice weather both weekend days. Today may have read warmer on the thermometer the lack of sun made it feel colder. Early on I encountered an older gentleman walking four little dogs. That was like starting a mystery on the last page because I soon started seeing numerous wet paw prints exiting every puddle. I did both miles in 23 minutes due to Michael Myers determination. Yet I think I'll be feeling it tomorrow.

miles walked today: 2

total: 57

time today: 46 minutes

weather: 51 degrees and overcast with 7 mph winds

weight: 230

weight lost: +4

Day 59 011114

I happily took advantage of the break in the weather after enduring -10 degrees and -45 wind chills on Monday morning. The wind was at my back to start otherwise it would have been much nicer. As I approached the second of the three hills I smirked to myself thinking of the show I just watched about the Himalayas as if it were an inside joke. There were three walks not shoveled since the last snow but I crossed the street to avoid the last one since it was a longer corner lot. I was into the wind on the return but hardly noticed it except the four times it gusted up. Not a bad start to the year.

miles walked today: 2

total: 55

time today: 46 minutes

weather: 43 degrees and mostly sunny with 16 mph winds

weight: 230

weight lost: +4