Day 261-You may need a running start...

I often pass the early morning bus that used to start my husband on his daily commute to his corporate gig. A commute that took up over 3 hours of his day. 

3 hours. Think about it. Well, he did. He also did the math once we'd decided to make our move and learned that his commute added up to a total of 30 days a year. 

30 days. Think about that. Well, he did! One month a year, commuting to a job he didn't love, for 12 years. 

Dang. 

I've heard it said that you should work where you live, not live where you work. That means, don't live in a place or not take the adventure you desire because you have a gig that pays the bills. Not if you don't adore that gig.

I'm proud of my fella for taking that leap, and being okay with making less bread so that he could have more time with his family and maybe even have hobbies (gasp!) and live in a place he wanted to try living in. To sort of redefine himself in a different space.

It is scary to leave what we know, where we feel safe, and take that leap into the unknown. I am a person of high-faith, actually unshakable faith. I'm lucky that way. I know that a person can always land on their feet, even if they fall or stumble at first. I know that things like shelter, finances and social standing are transient things. they come, they go, but you? You remain. As John Lennon sang:

 "Hold on to your head, you don't take nothin' with you but your soul."

Another favorite quote I have posted is by Anne LaMott, and maybe I've even pulled this one out for you once already. (Forgive me.)

"How we spend our days is indeed how we live our lives."

Can't argue with that. It's just a fact. 

Do you have a leap you want to take? It doesn't have to be huge or involve a geographical change, but know in your heart that you will reach the other side.

I'll be there waiting for you, 
Dani
 

Day 260-Coyote Sandwiches

As you may know, I'm moving to Montana in the next 5 or 6 months. Different geography, climate, people--you name it, it'll be different. And I'm excited for that. I'm ready to go. But I can't go yet, so I'm using my time when I'm out and about to drink in as many details as I can, because I know someday, I'll miss them. 

Today's walk was in the dark, with our ever-present drizzle falling on my face as a lone coyote cried far away. I'm glad he was far away. Yesterday, I had to wait until it got light to walk, because the pack of howling coyotes was so large and so close to my house that I felt it irresponsible to myself and my dogs to go out. 

Granted, we have coyotes in Montana, but they are the lone scrappy, skinny variety that work hard for their meals and wind up with their carcasses hung on ranchers' fence posts a lot. 

Kitties! I Want More Kitties!!!

Here on beautiful Bainbridge Island, the coyotes are abundant, apparently bred with some robust German shepherds. Large and unafraid, they are often close to my home, running up the street and triangulating for their hunts in the field behind our house. Their prosperity is attested to by the overwhelming number of "Mr.Whiskers-Come-Home" posters that pepper our island's telephone poles.

I'm just out there trying to enjoy every sandwich. I don't always, though. Especially when the sandwich sucks. Yesterday, I was eating a horrible sandwich, and crying in my red wine about it. Stupid sucky sandwich. How can I enjoy a stupid sucky sandwich?

And then a long-distance phone call from Montana happened. The Huz, in all his huz-ness, reminded me that this wasn't the only sandwich I would every eat. It was a temporary sandwich. Sure, it was sour, rotten and tough, but it would soon be gone and another sandwich would spring up in it's place. 

I still didn't enjoy it, but knowing it wasn't my only sandwich ever helped me feel better. Stupid sandwich, awesome husband. 

Even if you walk the same route daily, you can still enjoy the little things, still notice something new. Drink it in. 

Munch, munch, 
Dani
 

Day 259- Can I get an "Amen!"?

Sometimes when I walk, my brain whirs along and groovy thoughts pop in and out. Other times, it's as empty as an Arby's and there are no thoughts. During those times, I tend to focus in on my body and really pay attention to alignment, how it feels, etc. 

I need to share something with you. Since last May, when I began following Katy Bowman's teaching and studying at the Restorative Exercise Institute, AND began walking every day, I've lost some things. 

I've lost:

• knee pain
• foot pain/plantar fasciitis
• neck pain
• shoulder pain
• back pain
• varicose vein pain

Impressed? Me, too. You might want to know, though, that I am not a special person, nothing exceptional about my abilities. I do not spend HOURS a day working on this stuff. In fact, I'm one of the busiest people I know. I don't have hours to spend on it. What this should tell you is that this stuff works, and that anyone can do it. 

If, in your head, you are right now telling yourself some silly excuse as to why you cannot do it, well, pretend I'm slapping you with a wet fish, 'cuz that's what I would do if you were next to me right now. 

image by gatheringmagic.com

I'm a real hard-ass when it comes to the "yeah, buts". I don't tolerate them. If I did, well, then I'd still be wallowing in that above bullet-point list of pain, and whose fault would that be?

Follow me, 
Dani






 

Day 258-How much you be sitting?-Part 2

Did you take the quiz? C'mon, it only took 45 seconds! Go take it and come back so we can talk about your results:

GET REAL. TAKE THIS QUIZ NOW. CLICK ON THIS SENTENCE, OKAY?
 
How did you do? My results weren't too terrible. I was at 63% activity level for a 24-hour period. I can attribute that to two kids, three dogs, endless volunteer gigs and too many jobs, that fact that we don't have cable TV and my standing work station. 

I made it myself. Sure, you can buy one, but good grief, have you LOOKED at the prices??

$299 and it's one of the less-expensive products

Here's mine. It was free. 

I took an old "laptop in bed" tray that I was going to donate to Goodwill, set it on my desk and then raised my monitor with encyclopedias (tried supporting an iMac with Wikipedia--it does not work.)


If you can get over yourself for a minute and deal with the fact that you do not need a perfect-looking standing work station, then I bet you can figure all sorts of things out using something you've already got in your house, or at least cheapo products that can be re-purposed into something else. Did someone say IKEA? 

Oh, look, here's a plan for a standing station using some IKEA goods:

And here are the plans: PLANS. Cost? $22. So, if you do this, get off your butt, then your health will improve, and with all the moolah you'll be saving on doctor visits and physical therapy for all the problems you created by sitting too much, THEN you can go spend some serious bucks on a standing work station that makes you look like Tony Stark in his development lab. 

See how well-aligned I am?? Plus, I'm totally hot, no?

See, Poodle? It really doesn't have to be complicated at all. 

Smooch, 
Dani

Day 257-It's Intervention Time!

This morning, I did my walk, but I got a kid who is really sick right now. Which means there is little room for an informative or inspirational blog post in my brain case right now. It's too full of maternal fretting and trying to figure out which magic spell will help me trade places with said sick kid. No luck yet. Damn you, Professor MacGonagall!

So, here's a quiz for you from my hero:

How Much Do You Sit, Really?
 

Take it and we'll talk tomorrow about your results. I bet you'll be blown away by what you learn.

XOX,
Dani







 

Day 256-100 Days to Go. For reals.

Friends,

It is with amazement that I write today's post. If my math is correct (and you really should check me!), then that means that there will be 100 days left of this blog. 100 days left to reach my goal. 100 days of walking, balking, squawking and rocking. Okay, well that won't stop at Day 365, but if I do finish, then it will be, besides my marriage, the longest thing I have ever stuck with. I don't count quitting smoking (10+ years!), because smoking is just downright dumb, or raising kids, since you usually get in trouble if you quit that because you feel like it. 

And that's that. It's cold, I'm heading out now to let snot drip off the end of my nose and get stinky looks from the skinny dog who despises the cold, and to walk my talk. 


Lovesies, 
Dani

 

Day 255- The Blessing of Routine

I've never been a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants sort of gal, but I am good at pulling a MacGuyver if need be. 

I also get mildly queasy when having to depend on that sort of person, however. It's okay, it's my own issue to tackle. 

There's a lot to be said about routine, however. Sometimes, you can have a routine life and despise it. You want something different, something exciting! Your routine is somewhat lame, according to you. 

Or, you can get too dependent on a routine, so that when it's broken, you fall to pieces. 

And then there is the saving grace of a routine. If your life gets a little turned around, or shaken up, you can grab hold of a routine and use it as your rudder until you get back on your feet again. 

I suppose it all depends how you look at it, what you need from it, and how you choose to use it. 

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank my walking routine, for keeping me in line and making me do something good for myself every single day, especially in this time of wading through emotional Jell-O.

Walk, please, 
Dani
 

 

Day 254-Light Pollution Blows

I walk in the dark often. When I first moved to our neck of the woods, there were about 40% less homes than there are now. Now all the fields have been dozed, woods cut down and homes are there. That's okay, I get it. My home was once a giant blackberry bramble patch. But what makes the biggest difference, aside from traffic, is that many folks keep too many outside lights on.

I used to be able to see the stars at night here, but no longer. Light pollution has spoiled it for those of us who feed off the night sky, but it also spoils it for animals. I walk past homes whose porch lights are blaring into the wooded park across the street--a park filled with deer, coyotes, owls and other sundry forestland creatures. 

Those critters get mightily confused and blinded by Fred and Lorraine Ferguson's glaring porch lights. And I ask myself, and Fred and Lorraine---for whom are those lights kindled? 

The way I see it, your porch light does not need to be on all night. Unless Johnny is marching home from the war or Fred is out getting tanked with hookers and you don't expect him home until 3 A.M., your porch light does not need to be on. 

You're wasting energy and stealing the stars, man. 

Grrrr, 
Dani


P.S. For a less-angry and more informative lesson on light pollution, you can visit The International Dark Sky Organization or Starry Night Lights.

Day 253- This news should bolster you!

If you read me, you know I like mobility, and that being rendered immobile is my nightmare. 

Of course, it doesn't take a Psycho-stalker with a sledgehammer to stop you from going where you want to go, how you want to go there. 

This can do it, too:

 

And this:

Ooh,ooh! This, too:

So...what can you do? Well, let me tell you right now, that 3 hours of CrossFit every week won't counteract sitting on your rear 8-14 hours a day. Sixty minutes on the treadmill won't either. Your exercise cannot counteract the amount of time you spend sitting in a conventional way. We were not meant to sit in a friggin' chair, okay? 

Did you know, there are MANY ways to sit? Sans conventional furniture? That are not constrained by our Western cultural "rules" of acceptable resting poses?

Now, granted, since many of us have spent our lives sitting in one position, getting into any of the above may be challenging--at first. Rest assured, Sweet Love Monkey, that if you want to, you can retrain your bod to move in all sorts of nifty ways. And by nifty, I mean real normal human being ways, not the way you've been using. What's up with that??

So, you may need a couple of things: A whole-body course, like the one I'm in. Or if you cannot take the course, well, contact me and I'll help you get back into your body. You need to understand that machine you're in, pal.

And, you need to rearrange your surroundings a bit. You don't have to spend much. I used an intended-for-the-bed old laptop tray and built myself a standing workstation. And as far as sitting around watching the old idiot box, well, who says you gotta sit on a couch or chair? What, are you too good for the floor??

Bolster, Baby, bolster.

Sometimes, sitting on the floor can be easier for the uninitiated with some props. So here's a tip from one of my fellow alignment junkies. Click here and get 40% off yoga bolsters and ass-pads (well, they're really called meditation cushions, but when I say "ass pads", I crack myself up.) Only for a few more days, though. It's a freakin' bargain, I tell you!

Boy, was this Ass Pad a deal!

Then, tonight, when you're plopped in front of "Real Housewives of Des Moines", you can get down on that floor and move your body better. 

See? I'm full of helpful guidance! You can't go wrong!

Thinking of you, 
Dani

Day 252-The Social Network and Your Butt-Width

At the Vanderbilt School of Medicine, some researchers decided to study what would happen if they took a bunch of kids who didn't know each other, and put them into an after-school exercise program, where their common thread was a pedometer to measure their activity over 12 weeks. 

The researchers tracked how the youngsters made and dropped friends and what effect these changing relationships had on their physical activity level.

Turns out, a lot. 

During the program, the strongest factor influencing how much time the kidlets spent engaged in moderate to vigorous physical activity was the activity level of their four to six closest friends that they'd made in the short program. In fact, kids changed their activity level about 10% to better match those in their circle; children who hung out with more active students were more likely to increase their physical activity levels, while those who befriended more sedentary children became less active.

So, basically, you hang with slugs, you slug. You hang with movers, you move. 

Seems to make sense. 

When I first met my husband, we both exercised not so much. We cocooned for years, cuddling on the couch in our sweats, sharing pints of Ben & Jerry's and cartons of Kung Pao chicken. 

Sounds nice, right? Oh, trust me, it was.

But then, several years ago, he stopped and got his act together and started moving, seriously moving. Not to be left behind, I joined in and followed his example. Why? Because he is my social network, and I wanted to stay in that network with him. I like him.

Look around you. If you're surrounded by sloth, either you're going to have to make new buddies OR you're going to have to be the brave one and be the example. 

Either way, you benefit. 

First step is the hardest, 
Dani

PS. If you're surrounded by sloths, I am truly jealous. 

Day 251-Just keep swiming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming and swimming and swimming...

The walk in fog with my fella today was serene and sweet. We saw some ducks congregating at the water's edge, and I convinced him to not let the dogs go duck-bowling. He acquiesed. 

Now as The Huz runs errands and picks up the trailer, etc., I have thrown myself into the safest place I know, which is Planlandia.

Yes, I am hooked on planning, as it gives me the illusion of control when I have emotions that overwhelm.  However, this sort of planning just helps me keep it together--meal planning, schedule planning...the stuff that makes the household run smoothly so that I don't blow a gasket. 

I suppose that what inevitably keeps me flexible. Contradictory? Maybe, but it works for me, and keeps me from being overwhelmed with all the many hats and responsibilities I tackle. The newest one?

Solo-parenting. Boyohboy, I bet I'll come out of this with even more respect for single parents than I already have. It'll also give me new perspectives on all sorts of things, and I DO enjoy new perspectives...

Onward, 
Dani

Day 250-Not one of my better ideas...

Today, everything feels as if it is in slow motion. See, my First, Last and Everything, aka The Huz, is moving to Montana six months ahead of us for work. 

This seemed plausible at the time, but for two people that haven't spent more than 5 nights apart in 17 years of knowing each other...well, now it seems like a hackneyed plan conceived by two testy monkeys, a blind dachshund and three argumentative cockatoos. 

In short, whose idea was this?

Oh, yeah. 

Today was just a slo-mo day, helping him pack and wondering how I'll get along without him. Not only is he my rock, he's my inspiration, my motivation and my reality-check-a-nation.

It's like I'm going through the stages of grieving but somehow stuck on the level where one is an angry, sad dip$hit who doesn't want to do anything but lay in a heap on the floor. 

I was walking and he drove up to get me on his motorcycle, and I wanted to be with him way more than I wanted to finish that walk, and you know how much I like me some walking. So I climbed on the back of that bike. 

Tomorrow may be worse, but the first thing we're doing is heading out for a walk together bright and early. That'll be nice. 

Hug the ones you love, 
Dani


 
 

Day 249-It's gone, I tell you, just GONE!

So, I inherited some seriously wicked varicose veins on my legs. I mean, they look like a map of India's rivers. 

Anyhoo, they used to ache all the time. One doctor told me I could get them stripped out of my leg (AUGH! No freaking way!) and another told me I could wear support hose (AUGH! No freaking way!). 

But then, a miracle occurred. 

I began walking every day AND wearing neutral-heel footwear. 

And the pain has 100% completely disappeared. In fact, it's been gone for months now but it just occurred to me that this pain that had become a regular part of my daily life is just gone. 

See ya later, sucka. 

So, it can be one of three things, or all, that has caused this miracle. When you align your body--that means moving naturally, letting your muscles lengthen to where they're supposed to be and NOTWEARINGSHOESWITHHEELS--your muscles allow the shape of your blood vessels to return to what was intended. That means the geometry of the tubes in your body lose the kinks that are caused by over-tight muscles, unnatural and repetitive motions and WEARINGSHOESWITHHEELS. Also, I've been doing the low-impact exercises that I've been learning in my studies with the Restorative Exercise Institute

So, it's either the walking or the neutral-heel shoes or Restorative Exercises or all of the above that have caused my muscles to lengthen and align and allow the geometry of my blood vessels and veins to return to a more naturally round shape, and somehow made the achy-poo go away.

I really don't care which did it. It's all been good for me and the pain be gone. And that's all I need. 

And here's something gross to end this post with and give you nightmares:

Nasty, man. Just nasty. But let's face it, that's what your foot is doing in a high heel. That CANNOT be good.

Blech, 
Dani
 


 

 

Day 248-Walking in the early morning foggy dark with Carl Sandburg

THE fog comes

on little cat feet.

It sits looking

over harbor and city

on silent haunches

and then moves on. 

 

-Carl Sandburg

 

 

 

 

I hope the fog monsters can't smell me.

-Dani Hemmat

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Make this day good, 

Dani

 

PS- Carl and I share the same birthday, but he obviously was walking in daylight, not alone, when he was inspired to write his poem "Fog". 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 247-What's Your Story, Morning Glory?

I get lots of kudos from folks about this little walking project. When I tell them it's been amazing for my physical and mental health and perhaps they might like to try walking every day, I hear some pretty varied replies. 

"I've got no time to walk."

"There are no sidewalks where I live."

"I'm afraid of getting shin splints."

"It's too dark when I can walk."

"Yeah, I should. I just don't get around to it."

I get it. I do. I manage all sorts of excuses for things I want to do but am somewhat uncertain about undertaking. But, there are ways to get around everything, and there are ways to get what you want. You do it every single day. 

You want a glass of water? You get it. 

You want to watch "Dancing with the Stars"? You watch it. 

You want soup for dinner? You make it. 

You want to download a song? You right-click.

It's the story we tell in our heads about the thing we would like to do, but are not fully confident about, that helps us put off living the life we've been granted. 

And when we realize that it is only a story, and stories can be rewritten, then that's when change, progress, growth and personal achievement come to pass. 

Rewriting, always,
Dani

 

Day 246-Dani Hemmat Admits to Doping for Athletic Performance

I just want to say it's true, but unlike Lance Armstrong, I never have denied it. 

I've been ingesting a substance known to increase my athletic performance. I mean, c'mon, I AM walking 365 days in a row. That takes some doin'. I need increased oxygen capacity, lowered blood pressure...I want to be better and beat all the other people who are trying to walk 365 days in a row. 

With what have I been doping?

Beet juice. 

I know, I know. Don't judge me, just hear me out. Last year, some pretty awesome research came to light concerning beets. 

Beets are very high in nitrates, which when processed in the body increase our levels of nitric oxide. And nitric oxide, in turn, helps to relax blood vessels, and improve oxygen efficiency. Hence the lowered blood pressure and increased endurance of beet juice drinkers. 

You are getting sleepy...now you are getting oxygenated...

And here's the kicker: I been loving me some beet juice since I was 16 years old and went to work at the Cold Mountain Juice Company in Wallingford. I'm sure they're not there anymore, but boy, did I get an education in fresh juices. It's where I gained my addiction to carrot juice, learned to love beet juice, and still couldn't be indoctrinated to gag down wheatgrass juice. I tried, I tried, and I tried, okay?

So, yeah, I been doping, what of it? 

Beets, man. They're what's for dinner. 


Red mustache, 
Dani

 

 

Day 245-Paws and Effect

Betty, Tootie, Dani and LaRue

Do you have a dog?

When you walk, do you take your dog with you?

And, do you walk your dog every day?

I have three mutts, and while I walk every day, there have been a few days this past year when I have hoofed it sans poochies. And I can tell you right now, they feel cheated. Seriously cheated. 

And whacko. 

No walk?! No walk?!?!?!

Yesterday, I ended up walking downtown, impromptu, no puppies in tow. Fine for me, not so much for them. This morning, they were nutso, annoying freakazoids who clearly wanted me to yell at them a lot. 

And after our walk?

Ahhh...

Please, if you have a pooch, take 'em along. Everyone benefits. 

Woof, 
Dani

Day 244-I dreamed a dream of people walking...

You can expect to see and hear a lot more about walking in the news over the next 2-3 years. 

Why's that? 

Glad you asked! Dr. Regina Benjamin, the United States Surgeon General, is helping to launch a national walking campaign, starting with her call to action on walking. That means, that more awareness will be brought to the all-inclusive benefits of simply walking. 

Now, it may seem like a no-brainer to many of us, but in a country where we live by our cars and have a 36% obesity rate, perhaps more education about something as basic and primal as walking will help folks understand that they do not have to wreck themselves with strenuous and sometimes harmful exercise. 

All they need to do is walk. 

Every day. 

A lot.


I'm normally not a fan of government-led health initiatives, since they are misguided and incomplete much of the time. However, this one deserves some support, since we truly do need to move in this country. Not for weight loss, so much as for our overall health. 

Do something today for which your future self will thank you.

Best, 
Dani

Day 243-The Independence Trifecta

I teach Sunday School at our synagogue. It's pretty fun. Today, I chose to teach the children about Masada. 

Masada was a unique episode in Jewish history--in short, a group of Jewish rebels who fought against Roman rule were holed up in a former Roman-built mountaintop fortress in the Negev desert. They fought for 3 years as the Romans moved ever closer, trapping them on their plateau. When it became clear that they had lost, the rebels elected to commit mass suicide rather than watch their children and wives be raped and themselves be enslaved. No judgements here. It was a horrible situation and a horrible decision to have to make, either way. 

Talk about a rock and a hard place. However, they were operating under the "Live Free or Die" school of thought. The same one that our own country was built on. 

So, they died rather than lose their independence. 

Then, this afternoon, my daughter and her friend were heading out to sell Girl Scout cookies for the first time in our neighborhood, and as I was putting on my coat, they both looked at me and said, "Uh, we can do this on our own."

They didn't want/need me. Here I was, thinking I needed to be there to help, and as they spouted off their safety rules and all they knew, I realized that my little girl is very independent. 

Independent. 

So I let them go. Then, I realized that I hadn't walked yet, so I grabbed the dogs, and followed a block or so behind my girl and her friend. This way, I could get in my walk and ensure that the two little ones didn't end up at the bottom of a basement dungeon waiting for lotion to be lowered down to them in a basket. 

And why do I walk every day? To maintain my independence.

And there you have it:

An odd but veritable independence trifecta on this sunny Sunday. 

Want to buy some cookies?
Dani

Day 242-Oogification

Feeling oogy?

 

Caught up in the madness that is the nearing-epidemic-flu-scare, I got a flu shot on Thursday. Actually, part of it was the madness, and part was my fear that soon I will be long-term solo-parenting two little kids, and cannot afford to be waylaid by illness.

I was lucky to receive one, since everyone here is out now. Which made me feel relieved. But now I'm feeling crummy. I guess my body's saying "WTF? What's THAT creeping around in here?! ATTACK!"

My walk today was with The Huz, and it was sunny and I love walking with him.  That part made me forget the oogification of me.

Ran a few errands, and now I want to curl up into a ball. I can't yet, but you bet I will soon. 

Until tomorrow, 
Dani
 

Day 241-Out of Eden

Yesterday, I read one of the coolest things ever. 

Ever. 

Paul Salopek, a 50-year old journalist, is embarking on a journey to retrace the path of human civilization. It will take him seven years. And he's doing it on foot. 

Now that's a long walk.

It is a 21,000-mile (34,000-kilometer) journey that crosses 30 borders and dozens of languages and ethnic groups. The only thing he's doing that's not walking is taking passage from Russia to Alaska on a boat. 

I'd like to see you swim the Bering Strait. I'd opt for the boat, too. Remember, there used to be an ice bridge there, but it ain't there no mo'.

National Geographic is one of his sponsors, and will be reporting on his journey over the next seven years. If you don't have a subscription yet, now is the time to get one. 

How very fascinating!

Paul Salopek

photo credit: Becky Hale, National Geographic

Even more so, he's not taking too much with him, only a backpack with a lightweight laptop and small GPS device--something Early Humans lacked, and probably for the better. 

He left from Herto Bouri, a village in Ethiopia's Middle Awash Valley, which has the longest and most continuous record of human evolution of any place on Earth. Though he's using the past as a road map, Salopek wants to report on current global stories at a slower pace and from a different perspective than they are usually covered.

That's what a walk does for you. Gives you a different perspective, no matter where you are. 

Let's all give a big "Huzzah" to Mr. Salopek. Frankly, I'm a little jealous, but also intrigued and excited to learn how it all pans out. 

I wonder what sort of shoes he's wearing?

Reach, 
Dani

Day 240- Motivation to Move

I don't talk pointedly about motivation in this blog (I think), but I do talk about other things, like butts, feet, pelvic alignment and zombies.

I've been walking the past 3 days sans poochies, and they turned feral on me. 

So, today, even though it was 30 degrees, my motivation to get that walk in early looked like this:

So much pent-up energy, they went nuclear on me.

Yeah, yeah, I walked every day for the past 240 days, but sometimes, it's not about me. 

Har! Yes, it is. But the dogs definitely benefit when I include them!

Have you ever sat down and listed your reasons, or motivation, for making changes in your life?

Like, could you list 10 reasons why you want to make one change?

Or changes?

Remember how S.M.A.R.T. goals work? The "S" in S.M.A.R.T. was for specific. Could you would you on a train, list some goals and make them plain? 

Today, set one goal--could be big, could be small--and then try and write 10 reasons why you would want to accomplish that goal. 

Chances are, if you've got more reasons as your motivation, and you keep them in mind, in front of you, then when the urge to throw in the towel comes over you (as is does with everyone), you could refer to this list and remember the whys of your efforts.


Why not?
Dani
 

Day 239-Dem Crazy Dogs!

I need a walk, STAT!

Okay, so I didn't get to Dance-Walk today, because there was a nasty storm that blew all night through the morning. My 5 AM walk sounded uncool, so I waited out the weather and ended up doing my walk in a most civilized fashion downtown between appointments. 

Which means that my three dogs, normally wonderful and well-behaved, have been 3 days without a walk, since I've been walking without them. 

They are now officially insane. 

Totally my fault. 

Can't even yell at them.

I would be a kook if I missed my walk, so I sympathize. I will try and be a better dog parent on the morrow. 

For shame, 
Dani
 

Day 238- Dance-Walkin' U.S.A.!!!!!

Today's walk was from the ferry terminal to Chinatown, all around and back again. Peppered with foot massages and dim sum, of course!

Many of you may have seen this, but this is wonderful! Combine walking with the free-wheeling, Snoopy-dancing-with-abandon moves and you've got an excellent way to add variety to your walks. 

I think I may just give it a whirl tomorrow!

Maybe just maybe, 
Dani
 

 

Day 237-And yet ANOTHER year given...

My beautiful girl turned 8 today. At once magical, kind, funny, bold and sweet, she is a force of nature, a force to be reckoned with. 

I admire and adore her. 

So I spent the day making her birthday fun, which means JUST NOW I'm getting around to my walk. In the dark. Yay. 


Happy birthday, Lola Rose,
Dani



 

Day 236- Another Year Given

Not me, but apparently we're the same age.

42 years ago today, I was born in Lawrence, Kansas--the last of 4 children, and I'm pretty sure I wasn't planned. 

That's okay by me, since sometimes it's the surprises in life that make us sit up and take notice. 

I am grateful for my health, the days that have been given to me thus far, my incredible family, my caring extended family, my friends, my critters and my feet. 

I woke this morning, and as I enjoyed my java, I made a little list of what I will accomplish this year, with the grace of my maker and the support of the people who love me.

Thanks, Gee-Oh-Dee, for another year given. I won't let either of us down. 

And many more, please, 
Dani



 

 

Day 235- Oh, but for more time to stroll...

Today was a terrific day, perfect and fun! However, when we got home from a fun-filled day and began to tidy up and cook for our dinner guest who is due in an hour, I realized with a jolt that THE WALK had not happened! 

As Cathy would say, " ACK!"

I never did get her, but boy did she like chocolate, huh? 

Anyhoo, I threw on my Crocs and dashed out the door, no time to even strip on my Monkey Toe Shoes. 

It was short, it was quick. And the minute my feet hit the pavement, I felt amazing and immediately regretted not having more time for an hour-long stroll. 

Oh, well. That's how it goes, but little things like that remind me HOW MUCH I LOVE WALKING. 

See you on the morrow. 

Last day at 41, 
Dani


 

Day 234-Fast, Cheap or Good--Pick Two.

For those of you interested in better health, you well know that it can be a full-time job. 

Let's see...30-60 minutes per day of Restorative Exercise, yoga, Zumba, Feldenkrais,weights, cardio...whatever you choose. 

30-90 minutes of walking.

30 minutes of stretching and self-myofascial release. 

60-90 minutes of planning and preparing decent, healthy foods, tending your sprout garden, overseeing your kombucha brewing operation and juicing your veggies. 

7-8 hours of sleep. 

For those that enjoy meditation, or want to incorporate it, add another 15-60 minutes for that in your day. 

Facial exercises? 15 minutes. 
Tibetan eye exercises? Another 10-15.

Wow. That's a lot of time. 

A lot a lot of time. 

Many of us have jobs, spouses, children, leaves that need raking and dog poop that needs scooping. 

How can we do this all?

I've got a little secret. 

You can't. You're going to have to choose. 

Unless you are a rich and pampered honey who has nothing better to do that all the above-listed tasks, or your full-time paid job is as a health guru, you have to choose. 

So, the trick is, do at least one thing each day that is to your benefit. If you've got time for two, go ahead, but really just pat yourself on the back for making time for that one. I'd love to be able to do all those things every day, but no matter how early I get up (which robs me of precious sleep), it can't all be done.

But knowing I've done at least one good thing for my own health is a certain quiet satisfaction that keeps a little light burning in my soul. 

In Hebrew, it's called ner tamid..."eternal light". 

There's a rumor that Francis Ford Coppola kept a sign on his trailer that read "Fast, Cheap or Good--Pick Two". It makes sense, but know that your choice need only be one, and know that your choices will accumulate to your ultimate benefit. 

I met the guy once. He was super cool. 

Was this a random post? 

Indeed, 
Dani

233- I am the watcher in the woods, and it's fracking cold!

Cold. COLD!


Had to cut my walk short today, since my lungs were burning (or freezing?), my face was cracked and my feet were numb. I think I was crying, but I couldn't be sure if the ice on my face was my frozen tears or just hoarfrost that had formed on my cheeks.

Did I mention it's super cold? 

At least for this neck of the woods. 

27 degrees. 

I grew up in Montana, and once upon a time, I was used to such temps. Now I am some sort of cold-weenie. 

My teeth were actually chattering. Like in the cartoons. 

I'm still as a popsicle as I type this. Time to go hula hoop and warm up my engine. 

Ta-ta, 
Dani