So Saturday was National Trails Day. I decided that I wanted to volunteer. My husband also decided to get in on the action. We did trail work up at Bobcat Ridge which is just west of Fort Collins. It's quite lovely, and it certainly gives one a good workout. Depending on which way you are going, the trail is either mostly uphill, or mostly downhill.
My group was in charge of filling in the first section of the trail. As it saw the most action, it also had the most erosion, and because of that there were dips and crevasses that were not exactly ideal. So we would shovel soil into wheel barrels, (Which, by the way, we had to haul up hill to the trail to begin with) Then that barrel would be wheeled a ways uphill, and dumped out. Others would then rake the soil to cover the dips and crevasses. Then someone with a little watering tool would dampen the soil, and then another individual would use a tamper to flatten and even it out. One wheel barrel full of soil allowed perhaps a 3-4 foot stretch of trail if that.
It was really a lot of work, and was quite exhausting. It was hot and stayed very sunny until the point when we finished. Then we got some lovely clouds with rain and thunderstorms. All that being said, it was so rewarding. On a physical level: my body got such a great workout! But also it was great to give back to the community, to the land. It's nice to be a part of keeping Colorado beautiful, and helping to make lasting nature trails that are safer for many more to enjoy. I know I will be volunteering again next year and I look forward to it!
On the weight loss front, I have set myself a goal for the summer. It is not an easy goal, and it is something that I will have to work hard towards. But aren't goals you have to work for much more rewarding than the ones that are so easy to achieve?
My big goal is to lose 75 pounds by the end of September. That equates to about 4.5 pounds per week. That is no small feat, and I know that. To help me achieve my goal I am fasting every other day this summer. On those days I will only drink water. This is perfectly healthy, so no one needs to worry there. On the days that I am not fasting I need to make sure I am eating purely primal, and I need to keep my carbs very low. I need to make sure that I am eating high in protein and healthy fats.
I am aiming to drink at least 100 oz of water a day. I have these 32oz glass mason jars. I am to drink about 3 1/2-4 a day. I have also been drinking a bit of tea lately, chai. It's my weakness. I don't think that it is bad to have on occasion (if made at home) I make up the tea and simply add homemade coconut creamer (made from coconut milk, a dash of stevia and a little bit of vanilla extract) and raw honey. That being said, there are still carbs and calories from that that can be spared so I am going to limit myself to one cup of tea week. As I have had one yesterday and today I am definitely done for this week. (I made the rule after today's tea so I didn't actually break my rule) I also need to avoid fruits. They are healthy yes, but fruits are high in carbs and if wanting to lose weight it is best to limit those as possible. Maybe once a month a piece of fruit would be reasonable. Then once I reach my ideal healthy weight I can start incorporating a bit more carbs to allow myself to maintain that weight.
And of course I realize that diet is only half the battle. I need to make sure that I stay moving. So to help myself with this my husband and I will be walking 2.5 miles a day together in the evenings or in the mornings. Each day. I also need to keep up with my kinect playing. That has been great! And I need to start some strength training exercises. Every day counts and I have to remember that when I'd rather just do nothing during the day.
I can hit my goal. It's not going to be easy. It's not going to be the most relaxing summer. But it will be worth it.
I'm planning on taking pictures each week. Of both myself and my husband. they will show the progress we are making...I don't know yet if I will post them each week or at the end, but regardless they will get posted.
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