Advice for walking with an aircast??

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

I would imagine there are some of you out there in Sparkland who have had the opportunity to wear an aircast boot on their leg! I have now joined the few and proud courtesy of having a surgery on my foot last week!

For those of you who have had experience with walking in one for weeks/months, do you have any advice/wisdom to share what made it easier? The lopsided gait will be a challenge, even with the lifts that I added to my regular shoe that I have tried to match in height. How did you manage the discomfort in hips?

I will also need to be creative in my workouts (working upper body at home now!) and am eager to get back to the gym.

The "bling" for the boot is already on....I have a beautiful color choice painted on for 'toenail' polish! High fashion indeed!

Thanks in advance to any of you who have already paved the way....

Choosing to make lemonade.....
Julia : )

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Prevention Magazine, Dr. Oz and me!

Saturday, September 01, 2012

Check out the October issue of Prevention magazine with Dr. Oz on the front!

I was involved with an 8 week study using Balance Walking poles this past spring. A friend asked for volunteers and about 10 ladies in my area signed up to track our walking, eating, toning and quiet time. Our team name was "Chicks with Sticks"! We worked with the Balance Walking head chief guru as well, and we were asked to at least walk 15 minutes/day (or more!) with the poles. We sent our results in weekly so they could see how the teams from around the U.S. fared using this opportunity.

While I didn't lose weight and had already been committed to exercise; it was good for me to track my food on a daily basis. I loved using the poles and really felt the push in my shoulders and arms. These are a much different use than hiking poles, which I also use on our Colorado hikes. The tips are curved so the walker pushes off with more effort. They are adjustable for different fitness levels. Some of the women did lose weight and inches during the 8 weeks.

This type of exercise is really good for beginners to fitness as well as those who are already doing something. I have trained for half-marathons, but I find running is a bit harder on my body than I like. This really is a great way to get a good workout, get your heart rate up, protect the knees, use your upper body and enjoy time with family and friends outdoors.

While I am not quoted in Prevention magazine, I am part of "38 women" and a photo of two of our gals from our Colorado team made it in!!

I highly endorse the nordic walking style (and I am not an employee of Balance Walking!) Check out their website to learn more about Balance Walking and how to purchase them if you would like!

Happy walking!
Julia : )

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Me? A Barista? Whoo Hoo!

Saturday, April 07, 2012

It's like one of my dream jobs! A bucket list fulfillment! I get the opportunity to make people jump and jive with coffee or a smoothie or an italian soda or a latte, etc. etc.

Our church has a cool little coffee shop that sadly had been closed for the past year. A friend of mine was able to purchase it and do some major changes to the decor and such. I've always thought it would be fun to work part time in a coffee shop. It fits me in many different areas. But with a varied weekly schedule/activities and needing to be flexible for my mom who has dementia/alzheimers, my choices in part time work are limited. Also, my exercise time is pretty important as well. (aren't you happy to hear that sparkfriends?) : )

I offered to help my friend with the lettering that is needed for the menu boards this week and that always is a fun, creative outlet for me. Being artistic with lettering is a true joy for me. I knew that Sara was looking to hire baristas , but didn't want to take advantage of our friendship by asking if there was still an opening available to apply for. But; what the heck! Doesn't hurt to ask!

So I did. She did. I applied. I had a partial training this week; and I'm hired! Ya Hoo! I am so excited to start this new adventure! It will be great fun and Sara's vision is one I share. She really wants it to be a place where people connect with one another and a place where the Lord is glorified. I'm all about that. And, the name of the coffee shop is "Connect"

Oh. and to have a good cup of coffee!!

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My daughter impresses me and I'm bragging!

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

My 26 year old daughter, Laura, is a gal who is gifted in many ways. She teaches voice and piano at a private school in St. Louis. She is very much a "do-it-yourselfer" (making their laundry/hand soap, deodarent, (sp?) dog treats, cheez-its, yogurt, gardening, etc.) is a faithful friend and has a delightful, positive sense of humor.

One thing that is not her strength is athletics. Team sports that include balls aren't her thing. She was a band geek/drama/academic student in school.

However, she took up running while she was in college and that is something that she continues to do! She has completed a marathon, a few half-marathons and now she has a half-marathon trail run under her belt.

Laura tackled "The Quivering Quads" 13.1 trail run near St. Louis this past Sunday and completed the whole thing. It was much hillier than she anticipated and the mind games started on her. However, she has the tenacity to go forward and she was thrilled with her time. Not as fast as her regular road race time, but it met her goal for this event. She did pull a "me" and got sick about 30 minutes after she was done however! That's my girl!

I love celebrating people's accomplishments in life, even if it's something they may feel is not worth celebrating. Life is worth celebrating! Let's cheer each other on! I know I'm cheering my daughter and son! We do need to find the good and positive in each other.

Cheering YOU on friends!
Julia : )

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Resolution 5k

Sunday, January 01, 2012

My husband Ron and I signed up to run this 5k on New Years Eve in Denver; it was so neat to do this with my DH!

Ron is blessed with genetically healthy genes...which means he has good cholesterol numbers, healthy weight, strong heart and lungs, etc. However, with age comes the realization that he needs to up the ante and be more consistent with his exercise. He loves to hike and does well with climbing 14ers in Colorado. But...nagging from his wife doesn't inspire; so gentle leadership and suggestions tend to work better. : D

We enjoyed seeing the Christmas lights at the Denver Botanic Gardens, the Museum of Nature and Science (the Dinosaur exhibit was fun!)a bit of shopping, enjoying good food and running the 5k.

It was a nighttime run and the wind had finally stopped howling by 5 p.m. It was a jovial meeting of runners, walkers, strollers and families at the start line. The race started and Ron and I headed out together, but after mile 1, he stayed ahead of me. I am a runner/walker still, and my training from the summer/fall for the half marathon I did in October had slacked off this winter. Sigh. My husband, the non-runner beat me by 90 seconds! I was so proud of him to do that and was happy to see him at the finish line! He is a bit sore today though from his lack of "training"! (which happens to be stretching for 5 seconds and carbo loading!) I am feeling fine...which is the benefit of consistent exercising throughout the year, minus the training runs!

Ron and I also enjoyed a day snow shoeing up at Rocky Mountain National Park this past week too; the photo below shows me below a spectacular frozen waterfall that people ice climb. Crazy no??




Hoping you get some fitness times planned with your spouse or loved ones in the new year!
Julia : )

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