Can't Stop Now

4132 miles is how far I have walked in just over 2 years according to FitBit. That has earned me the Nile Badge because 4132 miles is the length of the world's longest river.

My little wristband has become an important part of my quest to enter old age healthy and strong. I am so grateful that my daughter gave me my first FitBit and got me started. Now a day without 10000 steps just feels wrong and a day that starts with those steps goes better.

Do you think that may have something to do with endorphins from the activity? Whatever it is I can't and won't stop now.

Back with more again soon. Take care and stay cozy!

No more shoelaces

I start each morning with walking my 10000 steps as recommended by FitBit. If I miss a day it really feels strange. At my regular pace it takes less than two hours. Since I live in a two story house I am able to get about 10 sets of stairs done at the same time. It may sound strange but I do all this walking in my house. I am currently in Arizona and it is getting warm already. I can pace through the rooms in my house in a temperature controlled place and get it all done in my pajamas.

I do put shoes on rather than doing all this walking barefoot. I have found my feet and legs feel better throughout the day with the support from wearing shoes. And this brings on the reason for today's post. Shoelaces or rather finding a good replacement for them.

Shoelaces can be too tight or too loose. They can come undone and need to be tied again. After walking for awhile if your feet swell shoelaces may need to be adjusted for continued comfort. I found on Amazon the silicon replacements you see here. I got a three pack of white, gray and black. Each color comes with more that most shoes need but would allow for sizing to customize how they fit for you and your shoes. If you do a search for these on Amazon you can find all kinds of package combinations for single pairs to up to six and all kinds of colors if you find my choices boring.

I have used these for the past week in two pairs of my walking shoes and love them. I went from ties to slip ons. The no tie laces hold without being too tight or too loose. If you are a walker of a runner you may want to consider these for yourself.

Back with more again soon. Take care and stay cozy!

The ad below is an affiliate link. Making a purchase would give me a small commision at no cost to you.

Walking, Etsy Shop News and Photo of the Day

What's on my mind today?

Walking, walking and more walking. I find it settles me down and clears my mind. Over the past few days I have been trying different routes around town. I have taken in the site of Canadian geese at the Visitors Center on the north side of town. I have seen the first snow on Sleeping Indian and big horn sheep from the National Elk Refuge Road. I walked along Snow King and to downtown in a big loop. I haven't been carrying a camera with me. Maybe I should start doing that.

Shop News

Hats! I have wanted to get some hats into the shop for awhile and now I have started to do just that. I have started with a basic slouchy beanie because I love that way these look when you are wearing them.

I am also letting you know that for the first time ever I am running a coupon code for blog readers and twitter followers. From now through the 31st of October the code SHOPEARLY20 will save you 20% off your order at cozy.etsy.com. I will probably be closed most of November so I wanted to encourage any one who needs to get cozy to shop ahead of the holiday madness of December.

Photo of the Day

This one was taken a couple years ago. The place I took the photo at was the boat ramp at the Signal Mountain Marina on Jackson Lake in Grand Teton National Park. The view looks across the lake to Mt Moran. The day was a bit hazy but I love all the blue.

Til next time.

This Week Day Two

Feeling good today. How about you?
I walked this morning and picked up a few things we needed.

Over night I reconnected with an EtsyBloggers friend. She has a new blog and by the way makes the most beautiful jewelry.

I also found out that my DH sometimes actually reads this blog so don't ever tell him what I said about him in the past, okay? :) Just kidding dear.

Monday 4.19.10

I decided not to even try for a perky title today. I am feeling perky but really how many ways are there to title the first post of the week on a Monday?

What's new?

We spent part of the weekend on outside chores. I did the easy ones and Jim did the harder sweaty ones. He is better at wiring and digging holes that I am. I am competent at potting geraniums and bell peppers however.

I got a good nights sleep so there are no dark circles under the eyes. This is a good thing considering a lot of pleasant things are swirling in my head. DH and I are so opposite when it comes to sleep. He has trouble staying asleep and I have trouble getting to sleep. Somehow it all works out though.

I got a call on Sunday that we may have our first house guest in the new place the second half of May. I am looking forward to that.

One other thing. I kind of fell off the wagon when it came to my morning walks last week. So with new resolve I got up this morning and went on my longest walk yet.

Hope you all are looking forward to a rewarding week.

Another Day Another Walk

I did manage a morning walk every day this week. I don't know if I will do this over the weekend. I don't usually post here on the blog on weekends either. See you all on Monday.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Walking on a Wednesday

I just got back from my morning walk. I want to build the habit of getting out kind of early since very soon it will be too hot to walk later in the day. I have explored 3 different routes through my neighborhood so far and each of them are about 1 mile. I figure as I get stronger I can add them together in different combinations to add distance and keep from getting bored.

I am also thinking about adding in some multivitamin supplements to this new healthy routine. Even trying your best I know that it is hard to get all the vitamins and minerals you need just from food.

Today's walk was 1.4 miles at about 3 mph and burned 123 calories according to my phone.

What's next for today? Some housework, yuck, but then someone has to scrub the bathrooms and that would be me, and then getting some pictures taken for more listings in my shops.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Day Two

If you follow along with me here you may know that this guy is my DH. We have gotten rather comfortable with each other over the years and I like that. Watching television after dinner one night while he was still awake, cause he works long days and is usually snoozing in his chair before going to bed, we saw a commercial about hair loss treatments. I asked if he ever considered checking them out since he is a bit thin on top. He said no and I am okay with that. I don't mind his gray either since it gives me something to tease him about since I am about half a year older than he is and not nearly so gray.

What I do mind is my weight because I want to set myself up to go into my 60's and beyond in good shape. This was day 2 of my measured morning walks. I did a different route for just over one mile and according to my phone burned 98 calories. Being a simple free app I think it does averages to come up with the numbers. It does not ask for your weight or any other special things like walking with weights, dogs or strollers. It does not take into account extra vigorous movements like Splendid Little Stars asked about in my previous post.

Me and Exercise

Way back in my archives you will see posts about my struggle to quit smoking. I think I have become a nonsmoker now. I feel good about that. However I gained about 20 pounds since then and it is really bugging me. I really don't think I changed my eating habits. I have heard that your metabolic rate changes when you don't have nicotine boosting it all the time. I have no idea if this is true. I just know what happened to me.

I am trying to get serious about getting back down to a weight I was before. I was using some exercise dvds from Prevention the past few months about 3 times a week and they felt pretty good. Doing the same routines in front of the tv every morning can get kind of stale though. I picked up a walking dvd by Leslie Sansone the other day. I am really glad I did. I feel more energized with the walking routines than I did with the Prevention exercise dvds. My goal is to do the 4 fast mile walking routine every weekday morning. I figure if I can increase the calories I burn each day and watch what I eat something has got to happen. I will let you know.