Suzy Q Rangers On

[suzyQlou]

I never quite got back into the before-bed stretching habit after vacation, so I guess goal #1 failed midway through the last challenge. I am thinking I need smaller chunks of stretching throughout the day, and maybe moving the bigger stretching/strength burst back to the morning when I have energy. It’s hard to believe it’s time for another challenge to begin!  It’s a good thing Tank keeps posting to the FB Ranger group to remind me. Cute, baby, too!  But I digress. 

 

Goals 2 and 3 stuck. I did finish reading the cooking book for #2. The salt chapter might be the one that stuck the most. I will season more mindfully in the future.

 

I also have been successful starting a new Sunday brunch tradition for #3. I like it because I eat healthier, less expensively, and the family cooks together. 

 

Here’s my September hike on one of my favorite local trails. 

 

[suzyQlou]

My teen is in trouble, and I am eating all the things. I need to get ahold of emotional eating. So I guess that’s my one goal for the next challenge. Find 10 non-food alternatives for stress-relief and practice them.

[suzyQlou]

I'm afraid I hit the panic point on the scale, so I guess I'm going for a full-blown intervention instead of just gently stress-relief strategies this challenge.

 

In 15 minutes, I'm heading to a "consultation" with the cross fit gym that moved into my old happy-place gym down the street.  I can't tell yet if they are mighty salespeople marketing a ridiculously expensive program, or if they are running a real deal that will help me.  Either way, cross-fit is on my epic quest.  I have always wanted to at least check it out.  My greatest fear is that their claim of "we scale all our workouts" won't include accommodating someone with painful, arthritic knees.  But I have to break the circle somehow.  Right now I exercise less because of pain.  I eat more because I've given up.  If I exercise more I will feel more healthy and eat less.   At least that's the current plan!

 

Here is a 2nd September hike to share.  I'm looking forward to going camping with the scouts next weekend, so there will be a 3rd hike soon.  We've been having beautiful fall days here in Central Pennsylvania.

[suzyQlou]

A timely reminder:  If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

 

*sigh*

 

The cross fit gym tried to sell me something I didn’t want for a ridiculous price.  I’m not sure what my new plan is besides avoiding emotional eating because I feel disappointed. Maybe a nice long walk instead. 

[suzyQlou]

Well, it took a while to finally get that scout hike in, but here are the wild turkeys I saw on the trail.  It took two hikes to plan this outing, and one hike with the scouts to make it all worthwhile.  I love hiking with enthusiastic kids!

 

 

 

[Xena]

1 hour ago, suzyQlou said:

Well, it took a while to finally get that scout hike in

 

Looks like a nice hike!

Any interest in posting a challenge this time around? You did call it a "scout" hike after all...

[suzyQlou]

21 hours ago, Xena said:

 

Looks like a nice hike!

Any interest in posting a challenge this time around? You did call it a "scout" hike after all...

Thanks for the nudge, @Xena  I may give a real live challenge a go.  Good thing it’s still week zero. I have some time together some thoughts about new goals. 

[suzyQlou]

Hello.  I'm back to my battle log after running a few challenges.

 

So, I'm getting the New Year NF emails, and feel ok with falling into all the traps that I'm supposed to avoid.  I'm starting the New Year with fuzzy goals of eating better and exercising more.  Oh well.  Fuzzy is better than none!

 

Here's a monthly hike.  Gorgeous warm day when all the snow was melting.

 

So, thankfully, my ongoing goals keep me coming back to feel accountable.  Monthly hike.  Taking walks to up my step count.  Nightly stretching (and minimal strength) habits.  Logging food (usually) and paying attention to reasons for eating.  So, I feel good about making healthy choices.  Maybe more concrete goals will make sense by the time the next challenge rolls around.

 

[suzyQlou]

I signed up to go skiing with the boy scouts. This might be amazing...or it might kill me. Thank you, 15 seconds of courage!

[suzyQlou]

I did it. I skied the bunniest of bunny slopes ever. And I survived!!!

[Suzaqu]

On 2/22/2020 at 3:02 PM, suzyQlou said:

I did it. I skied the bunniest of bunny slopes ever. And I survived!!!

Way to go! I tried to learn to ski once and it did not go well, so major respect for your success and survival  

[suzyQlou]

Even with an extra day in February this year, I am one day late for my monthly hike.  No wildflowers yet, but plenty of sunshine for a stroll on the Appalachian Trail.

[Xena]

Flowers will be out soon enough...I have crocuses and snowdrops in my yard already. In the meantime, there's also this:

 

-------------

You've been caught in the "crossfire" of the Scouts Virtual Color Run!

 

It's just a little bit of light-hearted fun and a celebration of Spring.

If you want to "participate," here are some ideas for this week:

 

• For one exercise session this week, pull out the brightest version of clothing you might reasonably wear
• Get into the spirit of the holiday by letting go of an old grudge or resentment, or by taking the opportunity to turn over a new leaf and make a fresh start on something
• Enjoy the season...find an extra reason to spend a few minutes enjoying being outside
• "Throw some color" on someone else...maybe spread some cheer, or do a good deed.

[suzyQlou]

March hike from last weekend.  Spring flowers make me happy!

[suzyQlou]

Not sure what happened to April (like the whole month...where did it go?  I think I was supposed to be posting on a challenge thread come to think of it.  Hmm.)   Anyway, here is my Mother's Day hike for May.  The kids shot ahead at mind-numbing speed, but my husband stayed close as we enjoyed the Springtime views.

 

Just kidding.  I do remember that last challenge I was supposed to be working on, even though my posts died off after about week 2.  The good news is that the morning strength exercises have stuck, and I'm adding to them little by little.  The bad news is that nighttime stretching became more sporadic (but still existent!).  The important news is that I am staying mostly sane through the Pennsylvania stay at home orders during the pandemic.

[suzyQlou]

Enjoyed some outdoor art on a June hike at a local park. 

Best news recently is that I’ve rediscovered how much I love to ride my bike.  It’s easy to take it out for a spin, and I don’t have to plan a big family outing to do it. 

[suzyQlou]

Better catch up on my monthly hikes so I'm ready to make a couple goals for the upcoming holiday challenge.  I need a challenge...and I need goals!!!

 

July.  My family's one weekend getaway this year.  Shenandoah National Park.

 

August.  Hiking solo after a soul-feeding visit with my folks.  First time I saw them since the pandemic hit.

 

More solo hiking.  So good to get out to my favorite mountain top garden.

 

September.  Found a wildlife preserve within 20 minutes of my house.  What a treasure.  I will be back!

 

October.  Scouted and lead a hike to these rocks with the cub scouts.  Great place to explore and stop for a snack. 

 

Happy 20th wedding anniversary hiking with my amazing husband.

 

Happy birthday hiking to me.  Discovered a rail trail with a conservation garden less than 20 minutes away.  So many hidden treasures in my own backyard!

 

November.  Family hike.  Takes a little convincing, but one of my great joys in life is hiking with my boys.

 

HAPPY HIKING!

[suzyQlou]

New long term goal. Weigh in the 50s when my age is in the 50s. 
 

Catchy, right?

 

Short term goals for this holiday challenge:

Eat fruit/veggie with every meal. Also snacks. 
Bedtime stretch and strength 6/7 nights a week. Build reps/sets up at least a little each week. 
Step goal: either 10k a day or at least one long walk or effort. 
Cardio: get back on the elliptical or bike at least once a week.

[suzyQlou]

Six minutes on the elliptical. Mental victory for this week! I can’t remember the last time I stepped on that thing, and I am glad it works with an audio book.

[suzyQlou]

I climbed a mountain today and felt peaceful sitting at the top with a cool breeze blowing on my face. It’s been a while since I felt at peace with God and the world. I hope I can hang onto it for a while!
 

 

Spoiler

Disclaimer:  It was a small mountain. My health app is giving me 25 floors. But it felt BIG!

 

[suzyQlou]

Get ready for my ranger-ly deed of the day:  I moved the chicken coop!

 

Seriously, it's very heavy.  A couple hundred pounds that I push around, wheelbarrow style.  I wasn't sure I'd be up to the task this time around.  But I was!  And I'm glad.  There's measurable snow in the forecast for this week, so that means the ceiling on the summer-time chicken run will come crashing down.  My ladies depend on my feats of strength to usher them into their snow-proof winter abode.  I do have a teenager I can beg for help in an emergency (and my husband is helpful too when I need it) but I prefer to be able to do things like this for myself.

 

And now I'm going to do some yoga.  My body will thank me!

[Elastigirl]

9 minutes ago, suzyQlou said:

Get ready for my ranger-ly deed of the day:  I moved the chicken coop!

 

Seriously, it's very heavy.  A couple hundred pounds that I push around, wheelbarrow style.  I wasn't sure I'd be up to the task this time around.  But I was!  And I'm glad.  There's measurable snow in the forecast for this week, so that means the ceiling on the summer-time chicken run will come crashing down.  My ladies depend on my feats of strength to usher them into their snow-proof winter abode.  I do have a teenager I can beg for help in an emergency (and my husband is helpful too when I need it) but I prefer to be able to do things like this for myself.

 

And now I'm going to do some yoga.  My body will thank me!

Isn't it nice when our strength workouts translate into being able to do things in our life ? WOOHOO!

[suzyQlou]

On 12/12/2020 at 9:45 PM, Elastigirl said:

Isn't it nice when our strength workouts translate into being able to do things in our life ? WOOHOO!

 

Absolutely!  As I get older, I treasure real life strength more and more.

 

Weekly roundup:

Eat fruit/veggie with every meal. Also snacks.   Yes.  Except for last night when I waited too long to eat dinner and overdid it.  I'm trying not to let that one mistake define my whole week, but it was seriously awful. 

Bedtime stretch and strength 6/7 nights a week. Build reps/sets up at least a little each week.   Yes on the quantity, but I didn't add reps/sets.
 

Step goal: either 10k a day or at least one long walk or effort.   Yes.  Blasted that goal most days, and made an effort on two.
 

Cardio: get back on the elliptical or bike at least once a week.  Yes.  So pleased that I made it on the elliptical two days.  It was such a mental barrier.

 

This week will include more Christmas cookie baking.  Sugar doesn't usually tempt me, but homemade sugar does.  I will enjoy some treats...but use the treats to enjoy traditions and not overdo based on my body's hunger or stress cues.

[suzyQlou]

Ranger-ly deed of the day:  Digging out from the snow storm!

 

I’m thankful to be healthy enough to handle a shovel for over an hour...and still smile and appreciate the beauty of the sunrise over the snow. 

[Elastigirl]

53 minutes ago, suzyQlou said:

Ranger-ly deed of the day:  Digging out from the snow storm!

 

I’m thankful to be healthy enough to handle a shovel for over an hour...and still smile and appreciate the beauty of the sunrise over the snow. 

Woot!