Saturday, February 2, 2013

Feed Your Soul

Everyone has something that feeds their soul, lifts their spirits, gets them "back in the groove" -- and I have mine as well.  And one of the main things for me is getting back to nature.  That always works!  But I have one place that I'm drawn to, and that's the Superstition Mountain area.  No matter my intentions of where I am headed, I'm always pulled in that direction.  And rather than fight it, I just give in, I go and hike the area around there as often as I can.  And I always feel better for it afterwards. 

This morning, I did just that.  The pile of chores, the messy house, the things that need to be done were ignored in favor of getting up and out into the gorgeous day.  There was a stiff breeze, and 65 degrees.  I had dressed in a tank top, but added a denim long sleeved shirt at the last minute -- and glad I did!  

I headed out to Needle Point Vista - a place where you can see Weaver's Needle in the distance.  Weaver's Needle is a 1,000-foot-high (300 m) column of rock that forms a distinctive peak visible for many miles around, named after mountain man Pauline Weaver. 

Shhhhh.... I'll ask you quietly ..... have you ever stood on the top of a rise, with a chill wind blowing and let the breeze rush across your bare skin?   As I stood there on the fourth rise we had climbed, we were quiet and just listened to the breeze as it rustled through the saguaro cactus and other mesquite type brush.  Occasionally we could hear a lone bird calling out.  Otherwise, the world was quiet.  No hum of electrical stuff running, no noise from the cars driving past, just me and Sadie and nature.  So .... yep, I slipped off the jacket and tank top and just stood there, feeling the breeze slide across my skin as the sun kissed it.  And now that I'm back home, I'm smiling because it was a good morning :)  So get out there.... feed your own soul! 

Gym Update

current mileage tracker  25.34  -  My goal is 384 miles :)

I am off to a good start!   Hit the gym three times this week, and feeling pretty good.  Stress levels are down, and the weather here is warming up!   I'm raring to go with my personal trainer, Russell - it will be exciting to work with someone again :)

My weight loss journey has been ups and downs my entire life.  I'm proud of the fact that I was able to lose 30 lbs in 2012, and only 3 Holiday pounds crept back on (directly on to my hips, I think!!!).  Its been a struggle in January to get on the eating right program.  With the cold weather, its too easy to give in to the cravings for "comfort foods" -- which usually means carbs.   With nicer weather, we'll be bbq'ing again, getting back to more proteins, less carbs :)

Hooray for Spring!