November 16
Exercised?: Yes. 22 minutes of a light strength training video.
Calories?: Yes.
Tracked?: Yes.

I've learned that I can actually lose a few inches/weight relatively quickly if I consistently eat within my calorie range and exercise just a little each day. I can't say it enough, but this challenge was JUST what I needed to get back on track.

What I learned is too much down time during the day leads to boredom which then leads to snacking. Tomorrow I have planned a pretty full day. Yay!!
I did a brisk walk for an hour at the mall with a friend. Walking with a friend who walks as fast as me is fun.

Exercise : yes walking
Tracking : Yes
Calories : yes

Did I exercise for at least 20 minutes? Y (30 minutes of zumba)
Did I stay within my calorie budget for the day? Y (1200-1500, ate 1251 calories today)
Did I keep track of everything I ate and drank? Y (logged all and drank 10-8oz glasses of water)

Did I exercise for at least 20 minutes? Yes. 12 mile dog walk

Did I stay within my calorie budget for the day? Yes

Did I keep track of everything I ate and drank? Yes

Today, I took a 10mth black lab on 3 walks, he did over 9 miles. What a good boy!

Exercise - yes, 30 min on treadmill, (plus over three hours housework) - definitely made my step goal yesterday
Within calories - yes
Tracked - yes

I have learned to focus on the long term goal, and that if I do slip up, I need to immediately jump back on track, rather than tell myself I'll start again, next week, or next month. This challenge is a great help in this regard. It encourages us to post our efforts every day which helps us stay on track, and furthermore encourages to continue tracking even if we slip up. Love it.

Exercise yes
Calories yes
Tracked yes

I spent and enjoyable day with a good friend today. We talked about being happy with our lives no matter what we have or where we are or where we want to be. If we can just take a moment and enjoy and savor the sights and smells and wonders of creation we can be happy.
I found this spot the last of October. The day I found it I was with some older folks that were afraid to walk down to the observatory with me (it truly was a short distance and a nice little trail) I went down and savored the moment of wonder that it produced inside me. I brought my picture up to share to try to get them to reconsider yet they were adamant they couldn't walk down. I shook my head in disbelief.
I took my good friend with me today to my special spot and she shared my awe and joy at my discovery even tough it was not nearly as beautiful as it was in October. I came to the conclusion that I will live my life and enjoy every second of it. As we discussed on the way back from our little sabbatical it is better to live and enjoy things than to worry about the unknown that probably won't happened.








The picture is of the Ohio on the Western Kentucky side overlooking Illinois. It is I understand the only other wildlife reserve in West KY besides Land between the Lakes which is south of us. The road to this site is not marked and not easily found.

So to answer your question of what I have learned this week... I have learned that I can count on my friends to share special moments with me and if I look I can find beauty all around me.
Additionally, I want to be healthy enough to enjoy those special moments and if I take care of myself I have a much better chance to be do that as I grow older.