Work it Gurl!

I've been doing a lot of hiking/walking lately. I live really close to a very nice trail that runs down the very steep hill I live atop. I think the elevation change is around 200 feet  and down and back it's about 4 miles. 

The great thing, besides the awesome view, it's paved, so I can bring the baby and jogger, which is totally awesome. 

There are several great turn around spots on the trail, depending on how much time I have, or if I have  a mileage goal, or if I want to do the really really steep part. 

The last time we went out (Saturday) we were just getting into some really icky weather, that is still here, and we ended up getting sleet/rained on almost the whole way back. It was a total bummer. But I did get to break in my new pretty shoes! 

My goal is to get out two times a week and do at least a small (2-3 mile) hike, and once a week go all the way to the bottom and do 4+ miles. I can even go beyond the bottom of the hill and get more mileage if the weather is nice. 

Bicycle Safety

Just a Public Service Announcement, brought to you by the guy that I almost ran over the other day.


Maybe this is just something I learned as a kid, because I'm special. I don't know where I learned it, or why, because as a kid I was never allowed to ride on main roads. Our neighborhoods were one squared mile houses on the inside and main streets on the outside, very little traffic inside, but I could get to everything I needed, the grocery store, the neighborhood pool, most of my friends houses.

Anyway, this is a great website: Bicycle Safety

My biggest pet peeve: riding the wrong way.
Did you know there is a correct way to ride a bike on a street? When riding you ride WITH traffic, as if you were a car, in the same direction. You need to turn around and go back? cross the street and ride on the other side. If you are on the shoulder of a main road please ride with traffic.
I believe this is because if you are approaching the car head on, the two are approaching each other faster than if you were traveling with traffic. You may not get seen because there is little time between when you are actually visible, and when you get seen.
I think the only exception to this rule is if there is a sidewalk or a bike path on the shoulder, then ride what ever way you want (if your state allows, some states you can't ride a bike on a sidewalk if you are an adult) (*update- see the comments)

Another thing that pisses me off is kids without helmets on the main road. I get even more pissed when I see these kids riding with their parents (or an adult) and no one has a helmet on.
I admit, I dont always wear my helmet. But I am almost 30, I can make that decision. I know the consequences, A 10 year old does not.

I live about 15 miles outside town, I have to drive 15 miles into town on a Highway that has a speedlimit of 60 miles an hour. If I hit someone at 60 miles an hour, and they don't have a helmet on, they will almost certainly get seriously injured if not dead.
I don't want that on my mind.
Almost every day I see people breaking one, if not both of these rules.

Also pedestrians, should walk towards traffic, if on the shoulder.
And wear bright clothes if you are doing anything outside that will involve you being close to traffic and it's near dusk or after dark. Jogging at 9 pm or 4 am wearing black leggings and a black top is just stupid.  If you are going to wear dark clothes put on a reflector belt.

I am a leisurely bike rider, I ride for fitness and because I enjoy being outside.  There will always be assholes out there that can't share the road.  I know it can be dangerous even if you follow the rules, but following the rules of the road can put the odds in your favor.

Be safe while you are out there.

Have a lovely day, and remember to find me on Facebook!

-Alana

Zumba

Source: unionyoga.co.uk via Monika Anna on Pinterest

(I don't have false expectations of ever looking like this)

I have been to two Zumba classes and I am in love. I recently quit Weight Watchers, for a few reasons, nothing against WW, I am just a diet quitter. I think I am better off eating what I want (within reason, and portion controlled) and just exercising more.
So that has been my goal for the last month or so, exercise more. It hasn't happened, at all. I am a lazy mo-fo. My weight is back up to 161 and I am just lazy.

But I made a friend! and she Zumbas and we went together monday, and it was AWESOME! like my favorite thing ever! It doesn't even feel like an hour has passed when the class is over. I went monday and today and I am hooked, today I even bought a punch card so I don't have to worry about bringing $$ to the classes to pay for it.

The class is given by a local girl who does them in a meeting room at the Holiday inn, it's really un-intimidating and everyone is about my age. But I am hooked, and I can't wait for Monday to come for another class. She does classes 4 days a week and I am going to try to go every week, the only class I may miss periodically is the Friday class and that's because of work, like this coming friday I work until 7 so I can't go. I am such a dork.

This is so true-

Source: media.tumblr.com via Alana on Pinterest

I need to learn the hip pop thing the girl in the front does, it looks awesome!

Source: youtube.com via Hannah on Pinterest

I got some new tennies.

Yep I call them tennies. I have since I was a kid. I don't know why, I guess thats what mom called them.

Anyway.

I have started and quit Jillian Michaels 30 day shred like 300 times. I love it and I see results when I can stick to it, but I know it by heart now. And I hate to admit but it's a little annoying.

I work in a video store and I saw this a few weeks ago.

Curiosity got the best on me and I spent the 9 bucks and got it.

Damn this bitch is intense.

One thing was wrong.

It's really hard to do barefoot.

I do the 30 day shred barefoot, in fact I do most of my working out (except the treadmill and outside activities) barefoot. I am not a fan of shoes. and my newest pair of tennies are at least 4 years old.

So over the weekend I decided it was time for some new shoes. I ended up buying one pair that I didn't like the look as much as they were hella comfy, but it turns out I fail at buying shoes because they were WAY too big. So I took them back yesterday and the correct size didn't feel as good. I ended up with the shoes that I loved the way they look, and in the correct size they feel pretty damn good too.

I did my JM Ripped in 30 for the second consecutive day and damn do I feel good today. 

I love when I can feel it the day after a workout.

oh and then I made cookies. 

But I am taking them to work, I just wanted one. 

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Bike Ride Photography

Today I did an 11.3 mile bike ride. Here are some photo's from my route.

sleeping babies and their mommies.

slightly flooded creek, it's usually about half this size.

piggies!!!

horse with a boner. i know it's gross, but the horse was pretty.

More adventures in the battle of the bulge

In my latest venture for fitness, I have made some realizations:

• I have an unhealthy relationship with food
• I eat when I am bored, and lately I've been bored A LOT
• I like to exercise but It's too cold to go outside and I get bored with my videos.
• I live a long 15ish mile drive to the gym
• I have a deep love for fast food burgers, but I have this under control and only indulge every few weeks, but this is a constant battle.
• Even if I were given a free membership I probably wouldn't go enough to loose weight.
• I like to cook and I am good at cooking healthy, it's portions that is my problem

So Paul and I have done a lot of talking, and I've been throwing around ideas, Weight Watchers, treadmills, ellipticals, gym memberships. Yesterday we decided on a treadmill and wen't to sears and I found one that was almost 45% off. So in 10 days I will be in my living room, in front of my own TV watching what I want and listening to my own music, running on my own treadmill.

Oh! and I got a kettle bell!

I've already played with it a few times and it's interesting, at first it doesn't feel like I'm working out at all, then all of the sudden after 15 or so reps I feel it. I like when I feel like I am accomplishing something.

I've been neglectfull

I apologize for neglecting you blog, and blog followers. Since Paul got home I've been super busy, he's been working less than half days so he's home at about 12 every day (which makes me happy) I will work this week at updating, with pictures, our adventures over the last week. I also had school sneak up on me, I thought I had one more week before my online class started but I was wrong and last monday I started Natural Science, which frighteningly starts the first chapter of the text with some physics. Scary Shit! I am sure I'll do okay though. I have also been riding a whole lot, I rode 56 miles last week, I hope to do 60+ this week. The weather is supposed to be terrible this week though, and I have a hard time riding in the wind, but I'll try. I may get to the gym and do the stationary bike if need be.

the old fashioned way

I'm back on the exercise train.

It's all about calories in and calories out.

Healthy diet and exercise.

I'm going to keep it up, and keep doing it the right way.

September 2007 (about 180)

August 2009 (about 155)

Slow and steady, I've lost 25 pounds, most of it in the last year. I still have a ways to go, but I am so happy with what I have achieved, looking back at pictures.