Vacation Part 2

Vacation part 2.

So today (Thursday) I was reminded of the REAL thought that started me on the "I need to get in shape" wagon.   It happened a few days before the wedding.  The wedding & that picture, secured my position on having to do something, but this thought was the spark.

This year hub and I celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary.  I wanted to do something big, something special to commemorate it. Now-a-days it's a big accomplishment to reach that milestone. After all our previous plans didn't pan out, we decided to do 2 days at the Belamere and 3 days in Hocking Hills.  Hub is the one who suggested HH and it would allow him his nature, hiking and cave exploration that he loves so much.

I booked our hotel & cabin on June 26 and I remember thinking at the time that I "really need to get in shape for this trip".  I knew it involved hiking and caves and all that jazz.  I knew in my current state that I would not be able to keep up with him.   At the time of the booking my knee was a messed up joke and walking for any extended periods aggravated both my knee and my back.  Let's not even get into the being overweight and not able to do any sort of physical exercise or not being flexible enough to do much of anything.

I forgot all those thoughts and realities since I was so hung up on the nasty picture.

Today I was reminded.   Yesterday we did Ash Cave and Cedar Falls.   There was plenty of walking and stairs ..lots and lots of stairs.Today was the big day.   We did Old Man's Cave, Conkles Hollow, Rock House, and Cantwell Cliffs.

There was much rock climbing, stair climbing, nature walks, and all sorts of physical exertion required. It took us 4 hours to do all those places.  We're thinking we covered over 3.5 miles of trails alone (and all that climbing of stairs and rocks and hills in that time).

It was fun for the most part.   My body pretty much had it by the time we climbed down some narrow cliff stairs at Cantwell Cliffs.  One thought that kept going through my mind was "I could never have done this a few months ago." This isn't a joke, I would NEVER HAVE BEEN ABLE TO do this.  I had to rely on my knee to hold up on some of these climbs.  I could never have had the stamina before.  I would not have had the flexibility.  I would have let Rich down since I would not have been able to join him on most of these trails.

This is where I'm Thanking God. Thanking Stacey. Thanking me for working hard to get where I am today. Thanking God that I made that doctor's appointment to get my knee looked at and get the injection. I may not be any where near my goal weight. I may not look fit.  I may still be wearing the plus sizes I was wearing.  I did realize that in spite of all that, I was able to accomplish something these past two days.   I was able to go with my husband who loves doing all that and join him as we celebrate 20 years.

I know I'll feel this tomorrow (Heck I'm feeling it in my legs and butt now), but I was able to do all that.  I was a sweaty gross mess, but we spent the day being physically active together.    I'm just so happy about that.   Today was physically demanding and I did it.  I DID IT!!!!

Pooltime at the Belamere

All those weeks spent working out to Autumn with the day fix program has made more than a weight/inches difference--it's uplifting.

Let me just comment here on one thing.....THOSE STAIRS. OH DEAR LORD those stairs.   I am hoping that these posts will include the stairs and views.

Tomorrow we head home.  I'm happy. We had a great vacation and will hopefully doing more next year.   Tomorrow I get to see my babies again. I missed my babies.   I hope they don't hate me....

SATURDAY...
So, Peryn had surgery and is wearing a Cone of Shame..and he keeps ramming into my calves....OH DEAR LORD.  Two days later and I'm still hurting.  

Quickly jumped on the scale and did a quick measurement...not happy.......I think I need someone else to take my measurements......

Day 1-Ash Cave

Ash Cave

View towards ground

So on a quick note, I wanted to congratulate a friend of mine. We've talked about our weight and health issues before and she's made some significant strides in the past 6 months. I'm super psyched for her... so Congrats Jen!

Day 1 Cedar Falls

more stairs

Cedar Falls

DAY 2 STOP 1

day 2 stop 2

day 2 stop 3

Day 2 stop 4

more stairs

oh look...stairs..

Stairs

my calves are aching

look down there...

Oh goodie...more...

climbed over those rocks...

excuse me while I go cry

&$%#%@

Instead of stairs...rocks, fallen trees, and other obstacles.

Yep....NARROW stairs...

I stopped half way down...

No stairs....but more walking trails...

Vacation part 1

Hey!   Sorry for the delay, but we were away for vacation. This year is our 20th anniversary and we wanted to do something special. We rarely ....(like NEVER) have gone away for a weeks vacation since returning to the US way back in '99.  

We spent 2 nights at the Belamere Suites in Perrysburg, Ohio. We had our own pool so I worked out each day and then proceeded to swim. We swam about 3x a day, so I definitely got my workout in.   Eating --wasn't the greatest, but I did not go overboard.

After checking out of the Belamere on Tuesday, we headed down to Hocking Hills.   Since I worked out early on Tuesday, I didn't worry about it.     We grocery shopped for groceries before checking in at our cabin.

Internet is intermittent and there is no cell reception here, but that is fine.  I won't be posting this until we actually return home.  The internet connection will be better to post the pics.

So we checked into our cute cabin (greeted by the dogs owners) and just relaxed on day one.
Day 2 we checked out Ash Cave and Cedar Falls.  Good news was it was quite a hike for me and got me sweating and working on my legs.  Bad news...the dry summer we had made the waterfall view (which I was to see at both Ash & Cedar) was non-existent.

Tomorrow we are heading to Old Man's Cave and another location TBD.  
We're heading home Friday and get to pick up our babies.  

Hey

So one of the things that have always been hard for me when I'm attempting to lose weight is travel.
Traveling especially to visit my parents.  They're supportive yet offer me things like "apple turn overs".  

I set off to drive down to visit on Thursday.  While I didn't eat anywhere close to healthy, I had my supplies with me.   My DVDs, my shakeology, and some food items to eat while at their house.

Thursday at the hotel, after hours on the road after an 8 hour work day, I didn't do my Pilates as I forgot that disk. However I did find a stretching workout on YouTube and did that.  It was really needed after being cooped up inside the car.    I went to bed feeling -not so stiff.

Friday morning I was set to have my shake, but the little refrigerator froze my pineapple juice.   I didn't have a bowl for my oats, so I ended up at McD's for breakfast (boo).  
The rest of the day was much better.  I ate healthy for lunch and dinner. I had my shake. I made a healthy dinner and I took my Jacky-poo on a walk.   Trying to do my workout turned into a chore.  They don't have a DVD hooked up to the tv. The DVD wouldn't work in my laptop.  I ended up putting the DVD in a small portable DVD player.  
So I did do my workout.

Also, mother nature visited me for a second time. So I take that to mean I'm still on the right track.  I can really do without the headache and cramping.  

I did jump on the scale her and if it is the truth, I've lost a few pounds. I won't log it though until I am back home. I don't know if it is accurate or the scale is different.    So after weeks of being stalled, this scale says I'm moving on again.

I'm also in my 3rd round of 21 day fix.   Fingers x'd.  
I am highly considering getting the new DVDs of the 21 Day Fix-country ...whatever it's called. It's supposably a dancing (county) routine workout.  Something to mix it up and something I might enjoy.  We'll see.

So the reason I'm in Tenn is tomorrow is my parents 45th wedding anniversary.  Since I won't see them again until January and there was some time available, I figured I'd come celebrate. My brother and I will be going to dinner with them. :)

SO HAPPY 45th Anniversary Mom & Dad..

Happy Now?

So, I took a little bit longer between posts.   I was pretty exhausted last week and just couldn't find the energy to update.   Colds are awesome like that.

My coach aka SIL Stacey was impatiently waiting for me to update.

Well, I finished my second round of the 21 Day Fix and it's a big fat zero. Zero lost. Zero gained.   Between the wedding and being sick and my parents visit, it was all about maintaining.

Today marks my third 1st day of the 21 Day Fix.  I'm refocused, which I need to be as I'm going out of town twice during this time.

One thing...well two really ...two things about this program.

I do more dishes now than I did in the previous 2 years together.  
Which brings me to my other thing...yummy meals.  I've learned to cook a few new recipes that are awesomely delish. Today was my stuffed chicken (Stuffed with spinach, feta, mozzarella, & sun dried tomatoes).   

Then there is my multi-grain pasta with ground turkey and veggies in the sauce.    So good.

SO I apologize that i made some of you wait a few extra days before posting.