Ten Reasons to go for a Walk Tonight

How are you doing today? By any chance, are you feeling overwhelmed, stressed, maybe a bit depressed? Or maybe like something is missing? 

If so, allow me to make a suggestion to help you for getting out of this mental slump. And it doesn’t require pills -- you don’t have to go to the doctor for any prescription. 

My idea for you is get your fix. Your nature fix, that is.

When was the last time you went for a walk in the park? Or the forest, or the field? When did you last see birds up close or hear the sounds of leaves falling from the trees? 

Has it been a while? Do you tend to dwell mostly, in the tunnel so many of us create for ourselves: home, garage, work, garage and then home again?  

If it’s been quite a long time since you felt in touch with nature, I am going to give you ten reasons to get in touch with nature again.

And don’t wait too long ... the snow is coming and this late autumn won’t last forever. Why not go tonight? 

1. It's excellent exercise. In fact, there is extra value in walking outside compared to the treadmill, because of the extra resistance you gain from walking against the breeze, as well the variety of muscles used by obstacles you may encounter outdoors, as well as natural slope.

2. Walking outdoors can help curb your appetite. Going for a walk outside always makes me want to eat less. As I get more in touch with my body, I tend to have less desire to eat unhealthy things and overeat.

3. Walking outside helps cure stress and anxiety. In fact, a recent article in Forbes magazine quoted Dr. Sobel, a leading expert in preventative medicine as saying that spending time in nature is one of the top cures for stress. 

4. Nature makes you feel connected to something bigger than yourself.  Whether it's looking at the stars at night, or simply gazing up a forty foot elm tree, we are reminded that we really aren't the centre of the universe! 

5. Time spent outdoors connects you with those you love. When I was a kid, my mom used to take my sister and me on nature excursions. Sometimes it was a mysterious path that we had never been on before. Other times, it involved going for a drive and finding an abandoned coulee. These are the best memories, because we were together, exploring.

6. A walk in nature is romantic. Whether you are planning a first date, or planning your retirement, there's nothing better than a romantic stroll to pump up the intimacy level between two lovebirds. 

7. A nature walk is educational. Helen Keller asked her friend what she had seen after a walk in the woods. She was shocked when her friend replied. "nothing." She then goes on to say, "How was it possible ... to walk for an hour through the woods, and see nothing worthy of note? I who cannot see find hundreds of things to interest me through mere touch."  Let's learn from Helen. When we walk outside, there is always something to see, and to learn. 

8. A walk through nature helps cure depression. This fascinating article talks about the latest research on how walks through nature have documented physical and sensory effects that help people that struggle with depression. The author also goes on to explain how, in Japan, "forest bathing" is considered a therapeutic option for healing. 

9. An outdoor walk is excellent for planning and goal-setting. I have gotten some of my best ideas while on a nice, long walk. There's something about the rhythm of walking that lends itself to dreaming and planning.  In fact, don't think of a walk as just one more thing you have to do,  but as a productivity tool for getting more done in the long run. 

10. You are walking in the shadows of greatness. Jesus himself was a great walker. Albert Einstein is reported to have walked the 1.5 hour distance to work and back, when he worked at Princeton. And C.S. Lewis, was inspired by the regular walks he took on his five acre wooded property.  

So, have I convinced you to go for a walk tonight? I confess

that I have been skipping my walks lately, and during the writing of this post, I actually went out and got a quick walk in. So, what about you? What are you waiting for? 

Or are you already a dedicated walker? What are your reasons for walking? Tell us your story. 

Love Sharilee. If you like what you are reading, sign up for regular updates with Blogger or through my Facebook page. or to receive posts by e-mail, join here. All photos are property of the author. All work is copyright under Sharilee Swaity 2014. 

From the Archives: What's Your Treat?

Hi! Welcome to all the new readers on this blog! Once again, I want to tell you how much I appreciate you taking time out of your busy day to read about part of my day. 

So, in honour of my new readers, especially, I would love to share an older post from the archives of this blog. This blog is an older one from about two years ago. I re-edited it to improve it, too, just because, well, I can.  Any of you who write know that there's almost no such thing as a "final draft." 

So, here's an old post, made a bit newer, called, "What's Your Treat?" I chose this post because of a conversation I had with an old friend on Facebook who was sharing about the joys of movement. I dedicate this one to her! 

It's about how we should try to make our "treat" exercise, rather than food. I am still working on this one; how about you?

Here's the link: What's Your Treat?


Love Sharilee. If you like what you are reading, sign up for regular updates with Blogger or through my Facebook page.

A Reflection Time on Being Sure of My Direction

I've stopping blogging here for a while, and it's always hard to come back. During the last couple of months, I have had a hard time being motivated for weight loss. I need to be motivated but I'm not.

I just can't seem to put in the energy that it takes to track every day, exercise every day and monitor everything I do. I do it for a while and then it just seems overwhelming. I am tired. Tired. That's about all I have to say.

Life as a woman is tiring for all of us, I think. There is always a lot to do: housework, paid work, relationships, worship, and losing weight just feels like one more thing. The last couple of months, I let losing weight go for a while and focused on other aspects of my life. To be honest, it's been nice. Nice to not be focused on that all the time.

A picture my website for tutoring English

I've been busy with other things. For one, I feel more of a direction with my work. I have decided to stick with online writing (this is one of the places where I write) and tutoring together. Since we last talked, I have gained two students for tutoring in ESL and I enjoy it very much.

I spoke to a gentleman the other day who knows a lot of international students and he said there are many students looking for help with their English, so I feel confirmed in the decision.

 I am also committed to writing as a career. This has been the most agonizing decision for me. For the last year and a half, I have thought about it constantly. Is is worth it? Am I making a fool out of myself?

But something has clicked for me in the last while and I know that I am going to continue to do go on this writing path as long as I can. It is hard because the money is tight but I feel it's where I am supposed to be.

I have to find the motivation to keep on the weight loss journey now. It's like certain important parts of my life have been decided and now I am free to get back to the health part of the equation.  I hope you will stick with me as I explore my way back to caring about losing weight again.

This blog is my first step. I find my back through writing: that's what helps me do it. This blog is about exploration, and it's not always pretty but I can't claim to be perfect. I try but I am far from it. The next few blogs are going to focus on the thoughts and insights I have had about losing weight in the last while.

I tend to think first and do after. This drives some people nuts, which I understand but it's the way I do things. Thinking and reflecting helps me get to the doing. If I don't have that reflection time, I burn out and don't end up doing anyway. I don't know if anyone can relate but that's how I am.

I also wanted to say a big hello to a couple of new readers to 100togo. Hellllloooo!!! Thanks for coming!!!

Love Sharilee. If you like what you are reading, sign up for regular updates with Blogger or through my Facebook page.

Blog Roll Extravaganza!

The Blog Roll Has Great Treasures ...

Happy Saturday, everyone. I hope you're having a good weekend. It's getting chilly this weekend here and it looks like it's time for a warmer jacket.

These are a few things that I read this week that I thought were amazing. Hope you find something inspirational.  There are quite a few here!

This is so inspirational: From Plump Non-Fiction. Last weekend, the author of this blog, Pam, just finished a 5K race. This is has changed her life. Read how.

Wow, wow, wow. The Line of Visible and Invisible.  I can relate to this so much! Being ignored while being fat. Wow.

Could Gratitude Be The Key To Weight Loss?  is a wow, wow, wow post about how gratitude is such an important part of weight loss. This is a must-read! 

From Princess Dieter,  she writes about how it feels so good to be in control. Very inspiring from someone who has worked very hard to make changes and is now reaping some of the benefits. Good for her! 

The Cost of Losing Weight. Great post that made me think. Yes, losing weight costs but, as this author points out, so does staying fat.

A post about "not blogging." This got me re-examining the reasons for blogging. Very thought-provoking. Why she's quitting the blog.

Awesome snack idea! I had thought popcorn was kind of off the list but this article made me re-visit popcorn. Popcorn as a Healthy Snack 

So that the list. Pretty long, eh? So, do you know why you blog? Have you ever thought about quitting? What keeps you at it?

Sunday Weigh-In And A Spiritual Perspective

This week, I maintained.

Today is Sunday Weigh-in. I am happy to say that I have maintained my weight from last week, for a total of 10 pounds lost.

I hope to lose some more next week.  I will not give up. I know I have to learn how to be more consistent. For the last couple of days, I have been a bit lax. Not tracking properly. Not exercising.

For me, it's all about learning how to live a healthier life. Replacing bad habits is hard work and requires a lot of resistance. I feel like I'm about halfway there. I create good habits for myself of eating better and exercising but the old life of overeating and being sedentary is always calling back to me with his ugly cry. I am tugged between the two worlds, torn.

But at least I am torn. Not just living in my old life. I hope someday that the old life will not even hold an attraction for me. But I'm not there yet.

When I started walking four months ago, it took me 40 minutes to walk a mile. Now it takes me about 22-23 minutes. I am making progress.

For those of us trying to lose weight, we have to learn to make these habits part of our overall life: to make it the new normal. A  normal we will keep for the rest of our life.  Change is hard.

As a Christian, I see this battle as the battle between flesh and spirit:

Galatians 5:17
For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 

1 Peter 2:11
Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

The flesh is my body that so badly wants to just eat whatever it wants and my mind that encourages me to stop exercising and be lazy. The Spirit is the Holy Spirit who encourages me to do right: to be moderate in eating and to move my body because that is what is good for my health and well-being. It's a spiritual battle, and a mental battle.  We all know what to do. But we don't always do it.

So I pray this week for strength to keep going in the battle for my mind and body.  I pray for strength to not give up. To not be a glutton. To not be slothful.  For wisdom to balance all of the responsibilities of my life and to include exercise as one of those responsibilities. To not listen to the enemy talk of defeat and depression.
  

Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

I can do all through him.  I claim the victory in faith. Not because I'm great but because He is.

A Man Picked Me Up! And Other Thursday Confessions

This beautiful photo is by Lel4nd at Flckr.com

...I Confess ... I Took Someone Home

Today is Thursday Confessions, and I have a confession to make. I went for a walk and this gorgeous man picked me up as I was walking down the street. And then ... I took him home! Forgive me, but he was my husband and I couldn't resist!  He called me as I was walking and came and met me up halfway through the walk. Awesome!

He's trying to get back into shape, too, and he has a lot less far to come back to. He was a real athlete at one time and it's pretty natural for him.  He needs to lose about ten lbs or so, and he wants to get back in good shape. I think it won't be too hard for him. Me, on the other hand, have further to go! But it's great when we do some walk together. It gets us both out and about and I think we both sleep better, too.

...I Confess ... I Feel Hope

Today is the day that I bare my soul to you the readers. (Not that I don't do that even on other days, but this is the special day for it!) Well, I confess that I feel so much hope right now about losing weight. I know that I can do this! It's not going to be easy and it will take a while, but it is definitely possible.

What clicked for me is that Tuesday I was actually under on my calorie count, for the first time in .... let's see ... forever. And I wasn't really trying. It just worked out that I got busy and didn't eat that much. Having that happen made something click in me.

Imaging those scale numbers!

And the other thing that gave me hope was that as I walked the other morning, I forced myself to visualize losing weight every ten pounds or so. It was weird. At first, I could only visualize the first 30 lbs or so because it's been so long since I've been down there. But I forced myself to imagine it -- to imagine how long it would take me to lose each increment and how I had accomplished that goal. It took a while but I imagined myself all the way down to 120 lbs less than I am right now. My goal right now is 100 lbs gone, but it's hard to say what the final stop will be. I will be able to tell better when I get there.

The hardest part was feeling motivated after getting into the 100 club: being under 200 lbs. It's been so long since I have seen 100 something on the scale and I have almost forgotten how it feels. I thought that when I get there, I will take a couple of months off and just coast and enjoy being 190 something, for the first time in so long. And then I will get back to work.

So that is my confession: that it is seeming possible now. And it's a good feeling!

Met Someone in the Blog World!

Well, I met someone in Blog World! And I am really thrilled. She writes a blog called, "Try Try Again," and she, too, has about 100 lbs or so to lose, like me.

She is also interested in education (studying to be a teacher), is a newlywed like me, and loves drama, like me. I started this blog just for my own personal journal, but also secretly hoped to find a kindred spirit. 

Well, the LORD has answered my desire with someone who lives in a different country than me, but is so close via the blogger program. She even mentioned me in her blog, and it was cool! As someone brand new to blogging, I feel excited. Here is the link:

http://melissavenableweightloss.blogspot.com/2009/09/new-friend.html

I can't tell you how encouraging it is to talk to someone who understands and gets what I am going through. Sometimes that is what we need most of all ...  fellowship in our journey ... not lectures and not quick answers, but fellowship. And I thank God for this. Hallelujah, He is my provider!

What I am Learning About Weight Loss

Well, my head is spinning right now with ideas. I've been doing some research tonight on Pilates and also reading a book called, "The Abs Diet: the Six Week Plan to Flatten Your Stomach and Keep You Lean for Life," by David Zinczenko. David is the Editor-in-Chief of Men's Health magazine. (Or at least he was when this book was written, in 2004.)

I've been learning, and re-learning a lot. (I did read this book, which has been sitting on my shelf, a year or two ago, but had forgotten some of it.) 

This book teaches me some new things, and also confirms some of the stuff I have been learning on the copious amount of websites I have been "digesting" lately about exercise, weight loss and diet. This what I do whenever I am interested in something ... mega-research. The problem is, though, is that I tend to not write it down or organize it all. I just consume it (burp) and hope to retain it all. 

This one of the reasons I am looking forward to the blog. It gives me a place to regurgitate some of these great idea-stuffs, and organize them on paper. If someone else eventually benefits, too, even better!

So, what, briefly, did I learn tonight? The book confirms that my plan is good: some kind of strength training (for me, Pilates) and some aerobics. Strength training causes a metabolism burn (burning calories) for the next 48 hours! That's good stuff! This confirms what I had been reading on several sites lately.

Also, to eat shakes, he says, is very good. This has been what I've been doing for the last year. (Although I got a bit slack this summer.) This confirms that I can stick to my shakes. I was beginning to wonder because I was eating shakes all year, but actually gained weight. But my eating for the other 23 hours of the day, and lack of exercise was causing the problems. 

The shakes were good...some of the best food. Mine are usually made up of 2 scoops of whey protein, milk, yogurt sometimes, hemp, and fruit if I have it. Yes, I said hemp. Apparently, this is a wunderkid food ... great for Omegas and a host of other things. So, those are good. Good!!!

What else? That milk, low fat, is good for you. (There have been countering opinions on that one.) But the calcium is very good for you because it is thought to break down body fats. Good! I am a huge milk fan. I am going to keep going through this book. Here's the link:

http://www.absdiet.com/uof/absdiet/withemail/

Also, I learned a bit more about Pilates online, from the following book called Pilates, by Rael Isacowitz. Here is the link:

http://www.amazon.ca/Pilates-Mr-Rael-Isacowitz/dp/0736056238/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1251789068&sr=8-2,

I learned that Pilates is considered a whole lifestyle, designed to make your whole life better, by teaching you balance, harmony, etc.  Wow! I'm not surprised ... I love it. It feels so wholesome, like my whole body is coming into alignment. 

I did Pilates tonight, after walking my route. It felt great. I was able to do more of the workout than last time. Ouch! The work on my abdomen is very intense and extremely difficult. But it felt great! After three days of no exercise, I did two hours tonight. Wow!

What a great way to end the day. Take care everyone.

Is My Job Making Me Fat? Well, Actually, it's the Stress!

Well, I have been saying for years now that my job is making me fat. Sound crazy? Well, bear with me. It is a well-known fact in the fitness/nutrition world that too much stress creates an excess of cortisol, which in turn creates an excess of fat centered around the abdomen. It is true ... my job is making me fat! Well, unfortunately, I can't place the blame entirely on my job.

Other factors come to bear, as well, like overeating, of course, and not enough exercise (sigh!) But I do believe that stress is definitely a factor in my excessive weight gain. 

Teachers are known to have one of the most stressful jobs out there, and I am a teacher. So, what to do? Quit teaching? I have, a couple of time, exactly for the reasons that I have been describing. But I have an education degree, a passion for kids, and even what I believe is a calling on my life to teach. 

It's what I do, and love to do. But it cause me stress, and my body does not handle stress very well at all. My body, by all appearances, seems to go nuts with cortisol when I am stressed.

So, I have been constantly on the lookout for more information about how to stop this pattern. I found an interesting article that talks about the stress-cortisol-body fat connection that I would like to share:

http://www.elite-wellness-coaching.com/cortisol-belly-fat.html

This articles emphasizes the importance of de-stressing in different ways. As a Christan, I should not be so stressed. The Bible says to "fret not," but I do not obey that one. I do fret, a lot. 

And that is why I went back to teaching. I realized that the stress is primarily from my own lack of coping skills with life ... and that I need to overcome this, no matter what my profession. Yes, teaching is stressful, but so is being unemployed, or underemployed, or employed in a career that I despise.

So, I will continue to try to understand the whole process of how my body and mind work. And trying to get healthier, and thinner.