Baby Steps

Friday, July 27, 2012

I've lost the first seven pounds of my hospital weight!

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A Step Backwards

Friday, March 02, 2012

I've gained all my weight back. I got sick and ended up in the hospital. I don't have a sense of failure though. I have lost the weight before. And it was fun doing it. So instead of being discouraged I am confident I can do it again. It can only get better from here.

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GETTING THERE

Saturday, January 23, 2010

GETTING THERE

One step at a time
Small steps
Allows you to
Deliberate steps
grasp opportunities
Decisive steps
Bend them to your purpose
Well-planned steps
Paint your vision
Practiced steps
Plant it in the world
Slow, graceful steps
Pick up a new vision
Find new steps
Plant new dreams
It is the steps
That bring Fulfillment

--Talamar
copyright 2010 Talamar Gerriets

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ENSIGN PEAK TRAIL, SALT LAKE CITY, UT: DEC. 12, 2009

Monday, December 14, 2009

GUIDEBOOK USED: Best Easy Day Hikes Salt Lake City by Brian Brinkerhoff and Greg Witt; Falcon Guides, falcon.com; ISBN: 978-0-7627-5112-9.

BACKGROUND INFO: Ensign Peak is a historical landmark. At the summit of the trail is a stone obelisk in the middle of a flagstone plaza. It commemorates the day Wilford Woodruff and Brigham Young climbed up to the peak to survey the Salt Lake Valley. Two days earlier they had arrived with the first Mormon pioneers. They erected an American flag there which is why it is called Ensign Peak.

DIFFICULTY LEVEL: Moderate.

MANAGED BY: Salt Lake City Parks Division.

COMPANION: DH

FEES AND PERMITS: none.

FACILITIES: No restrooms. A trail head plaza. A plaza on the summit. A trash can at the trail head. Interpretive signage. Trail markers.

RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT FOR WINTER: Binoculars; shoes with good ankle support that are water-proof, hiking boots, snow boots; walking staff, warm layered clothing, hat, scarf.

CONDITIONS: Cold and clear; had snowed the night before; packed snow on a dirt trail; well-maintained; steep climb to the summit; slippery and icy in spots; rocky in several spots; great vistas of the Salt Lake Valley; because the footing was a little treacherous in spots, I didn't spend much time looking at the scenery until I got to the summit. I'll try to do better next spring.

ASCENT TIME: 45 mins.
DESCENT TIME: 30 mins.
TOTAL HIKING TIME: 75 mins.
DISTANCE: 0.9 miles.

MISHAP #1: Sudden gust of wind blew off my hat. I had to go off-trail a short distance to retrieve it. Next time, I will make sure I use a neck cord.

MISHAP #2: I slipped and fell during the descent. I landed on a rock and hurt my back. I was able to continue the descent after taking a breather and gently stretching the injured muscles. I got a severe contusion on my lower back that has temporarily limited my physical activity, but not my love of hiking.

LESSONS LEARNED:

1. You will stay warmer if you roll up a bandanna and tie it loosely around you neck.

2. If you wear glasses, use an eyeglass leash so you don't drop your glasses when using your binoculars.

3. Tie a sweater or sweat shirt around your waist to prevent your pants from getting wet when you sit down during rest breaks. It also provides a layer of warmth when sitting on a cold surface.

4. Make sure you are in fairly good shape before trying this trail. The less fit you are the more difficult this trail will be. Pace yourself carefully when climbing to the summit. Don't forget to take breaks to enjoy the many vistas along the trail and at the summit.

DH's COMMENTS: My husband didn't like this hike at all. He is obese and out of shape. It was a very difficult climb for him. But, he did it!

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MY SPARK JOURNEY CONTINUES

Saturday, December 05, 2009

(This was originally a letter to a friend.)

When I started this journey I weighed 198 lbs. I gained a lot of weight after being sick and underweight for most of the 90's.

Because I had been a dancer and an athelete, my goal had always been to dance and run again. I still can't run because of knee problems, so I am now an enthusiastic day hiker.

I started my get back-into-shape project with my physical therapist. Then I was on my own once I was able to walk again. I simply tried to go back to the way I use to live. It was more difficult than I expected. On my own I was able to get down to 165 lbs.

Then I started collecting dance and dance aerobic DVDs. I found stores where I could get them for $5.00 or less. So, I have quite a collection. That got me down to 155.

Around this time, I found SparkPeople. I was looking for a flexible meal planner/tracker and an exercise log. I needed something simple and easy to customize because cookie-cutter meal plans didn't work for me. I found that and more here. I found things that I didn't know I needed.

I didn't know I needed friends like all of you. I didn't know I needed the ideas and suggestions that are always popping up here. I didn't know I needed all the feedback and encouragement that I have found here. I didn't know I had a need to share all the knowledge I have acquired from my experiences as a dancer, a runner, and simple being an optimistic survivor.

These last 10 lbs. have been the hardest. I can dance again. I still can't run. I use to do cross country and half-marathons. But, it doesn't look like I'll ever be able to do that again. So, I am trying to find some activity to replace that. I am sure I will find it.

Right now, I am going back and forth between 150 and 145. I must be on the right track. I just have to figure out what it is that I am doing right and turn it into a fun hobby.

When I read everyone else's blogs, I sometimes wonder if maybe my journey was made easier because I am so fidgety. I have always gotten bored just sitting around. I have been like that since I was 7. That was another period in my life when I had an extended hospital stay.

It's been a long hard journey. But, my journey has been to a place that I use to call home, a familiar place, a place I want to return to.

At this moment I have a hiking trail guidebook next to me. I bought it yesterday. I discovered some trails that are open year round. Next Saturday, I am going on an adventure!

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