The weather got a little cooler Friday evening and I was able to complete my 10,000 steps for the day by taking a short walk around the soccer fields.
The sun was beautiful peaking around these trees. Several others were walking, some with their dogs, others with baby carriages. A few bike riders even rode past.
The playground at the park is again open and it was very enjoyable hearing the sounds of children playing on the equipment.
I thing the simple joys of walking and listening to laughter are things I am grateful for duing this pandemic.
Author: Chris Brown (Page 23 of 41)
I’ve been adding more steps than usual to my daily routines and have found some new trails to enjoy as well.
While walking isn’t a super push push push, I added some dumbbells (#12 and #10) to add alittle extra umph to my walk on Thursday morning.
The very humid weather makes it more important for me to get out early. I have found that over the years, I need to be inside and cooler during the mid day heat. Today’s temperature is due to get to 93 degrees F (33.88 celcius.)
Today’s goal, get the walk in before it gets too hot!
My path to fitness is rarely straight, easy or simple.
It is complicated.
Twisty and Bumpy. Winding, with detours. Fall. Bounce back. Look for new options.
When Jill and I ask our podcast guests, “How do you define fit?” They usually answer with something that combines mental and physical fitness. In our podcast and our private Facebook group/community, we talk about both.
Life has ups and downs. COVID-19 has been a real adjustment for me. Most of my go-to support systems have changed. Grief is always hard, but made harder during a pandemic. Celebrations are also harder. Just everyday life requires thinking about the steps to keep safe, healthy and strong.
I’ve only been riding my bike about once a week, but it’s become a huge help to my mental fitness. I think good friends make all the difference.
While I continue to do some strength training at home, getting outside and seeing other people – even from a distance – has made a huge difference to me.
This past week I had the opportunity to take a socially distanced walk with my dear friend Jill. Very good for the soul.
This photo is of one of the places I really love in the 22 mile loop hike bike trail I love to ride. It reminds me that the path isn’t straight or downhill or even always clear (although this photo is ha ha.)
Keeping going. Getting back on the horse (or bike.) Making an effort. Each day I can do something that will support my commitment to being fit and strong — both mentally and physically.
Today I am reminding myself that I am strong and I can do hard things… even when the path to fitness is twisty and bumpy.
What’s your mantra for today? Does your path take a U-turn when you’re not expecting it? Let me know by leaving a message below or a voice mail at 330-970-6662. Looking forward to hearing from you!
I tried a new bar at the advice of a friend. I wouldn’t call it a protein bar, but I would describe it as more of an energy bar.
In one word – DELICIOUS.
The bar is called Autumn’s Gold Grain Free Granola Bar. I tried the cinnamon almond flavor.
Very delicious, grain free bar.
The simple ingredients are most appealing: almonds, pecans, maple syrup, honey, coconut, pumpkin seeds, cinnamon, sea salt and vanilla.
After a two hour bike ride I was hungry and this bar was delicious. Must be the honey and maple syrup!
It’s not only grain free, but gluten free and non GMO. The macros are fat 17g, carbs 11g, and protein 5g.
Here’s all the details:
I like that it won’t melt in the hot sun while riding.
What about you? What do you bring with you for a snack after a long workout? Leave a message below.
Living the Keto Lifestyle with Daisy Brackenhall – episode 61
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In episode 61, Jill and Chris talk with Daisy Brackenhall, also known as the Keto Woman. She is a delightful person who is extremely knowledgeable about living the keto lifestyle.
Daisy is a Brit who has been living in rural France for the past 15 or so years. She lost half her bodyweight with weight loss surgery and low carb eating and has since maintained a healthy weight with keto. Keto has also helped her significantly reduce depression and migraines. She is a part-time gardener and lives with her three dogs and cats.
Daisy is a podcaster and produces two weekly podcasts. In the Keto Woman podcast Daisy chats with extraordinary women and shares their inspiring stories with listeners. Monday Mindset is Daisy’s newest podcast and a collaboration with her friend and psychologist Terri Lance, who works at The Fasting Method. Each week they share with each other and their listeners something that they’ve found inspiring or motivational.
A few years ago Daisy created and continues to run a successful Facebook group for women called Kickarse Keto Bitches. With almost 3000 members from all around the world, the group functions as a safe and inviting community for women to find and offer support to one another.
In today’s interview we talk about:
- Her experience with diets and surgery
- How she was able to stop the regain
- The basic principles of keto – ketosis
- Reducing carbs for ketosis and the role of whole foods
- Keto as an anti-inflamation diet, type 2 diabetes, treating diseases
- The impact of Keto on metabolism, insulin and blood sugar
- Making keto work for you (as opposed to making yourself fit into a specific version of keto)
- Keto basics: fatty proteins, leafy greens, mostly above ground vegetables, a few nuts and seeds, and some dairy, keto treats
- What is Keto AF? Daisy’s 100th interview with April Ihly
- The difference between moderators and abstainers
- Avoiding refined carbohydrates, processed carbohydrates, seed oils
- DietDoctor.com offers free resources, infographics, information on high carbohydrate to low carbohydrateKet vegetables
- A two week meal plan at DietDoctor.com is a good starting point
- Running in a fat-adapted state and endurance sports
- The sense of empowerment keto gives to women in particular
If you’d like to follow Daisy Brackenhall online, you can find her at these sites:
- www.ketowomanpodcast.com
- www.facebook.com/ketowomanpodcast
- www.instagram.com/ketowomanpodcast
- Daisy Brakenhall Monday Mindset YouTube Channel
Daisy also interviewed Jill and Chris about their weight loss journey and how they are working to stay fit and strong in the second half of their lives. Click through right here to listen to Keto Woman podcast episode 138 featuring the cohosts of the Fit Strong Women Over 50 podcast.
We were very honored to be interviewed recently for a podcast and wanted to share the news with you.
You can hear about our story when we are interviewed on a podcast from France called Keto Woman by Daisy Brackenhall. https://ketowomanpodcast.com/138/
Hope you enjoy listening. Please leave a message and let us know what you think!
Tai Chi & Qigong with Nancy Gardner – Episode 60
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In episode 60, Jill and Chris talk with Nancy Gardner, a certified instructor of Qigong, Tai Chi and other martial arts.
Nancy is all about movement. And she LOVES to move… her body and her mind.
She has been training since 1985 and teaching professionally since 1994.Nancy also is a state-licensed massage therapist and Polarity Therapy practitioner.
Nancy draws on these disciplines and metaphysical studies to create unique, experiential wellness programs for various groups and organizations.
Passionate about learning, teaching and sharing, Her mission is to empower individuals to be as healthy as they can be and to find balance among the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of life.
Presenting locally regionally and internationally, her audiences range from corporate executives to full-time moms, from the medical community to accounting firms, from nuns in their 80s to teens, and everyone in between!
Nancy told us that Tai Chi is great for any age person and for people at different fitness levels. Athletes find that Tai Chi provides with the left/right brain work,dded balance, and is a great cross training. For the couch potato who hasn’t exercised in a long long time Tai Chi is a meaningful way to get started.
For a more difficult workout, Nancy will add weights and sometimes she plays with solid bricks in her hands “which is a SERIOUS workout.”
Health Benefits of Tai Chi and Qigong:
- Studies have shown that practicing Tai Chi helps prevent frailty and falls among older adults. Proven with control groups among seniors.
- Tai Chi is recognized by the National Institute of Health (NIH) as one of the integrative medicines for balance.
- Other studies show great promise and benefits for cardio/pulmonary fitness, bone health, improved balance and fall prevention, helps with confidence & perceived abilities, stress reduction and overall quality of life. WOW!
Two things she wanted to add about eating/diet…
- Eat mindfully. Appreciate your food and the nutrition that is in it.
- When you do eat or drink something less than healthy, enjoy every bit of it. NEVER eat or drink anything while thinking or saying, “I shouldn’t do this.” Because then, energetically, you shouldn’t!
You can find Nancy online at NG Energy and her email is NancyG@NGEnergy.us.
In addition, during this episode we also gave a shout out to Shelly Drymon for having us on her podcast. If you want to head over there to take a listen, it’s called Women Over 50 – a Life Redesigned.
We also recorded a video of this interview if you’d like to watch it, here’s the link: https://youtu.be/VL64pcP6vik
Bike riding feels great! One thing I really love about cardio exercise is the endorphins floating around in my body after a great workout.
Even if it’s not a terribly strenuous exercise, but just a good steady cardio, it feels great.
This morning I took a 20 mile bike ride with a friend and the weather was ideal. The temperature was around 70 and just a light wind was blowing. I had on shirt sleeves and bike shorts, didn’t even need a jacket. Mot a cloud in the sky!
The route I take during the weekends I refer to as the Kent loop. I’ve written about it before. People in Kent probably call it the Stow loop or the Hudson loop, but it travels through all of those communities.
A screen shot from Strava.
The bike trail has some hills, bending paths and is 100% pavement. Some of the trail is along side of the road, but most of it is on a bike trail which I find more relaxing.
Part of the trail meanders along the north side of the Cuyahoga River. The water has some small rapids. At Brust Park there were a whole of rubber rafts along the river bank. People were out walking, bike riding and enjoying the weather.
What cardio exercise do you enjoy doing? Running? Biking? Dancing? Swimming? Is it primarily outside or something you do inside? Do you get the same lift from it as I do? Leave me a message below.
During podcast #59, Pam Sherman talked about her BAS Big Ass Salad. It’s full of greens, cabbage, nuts and delicious healthy foods.
I tried to make my version of it, but have dubbed mine the LAS Little Ass Salad. I guess because I don’t want to talk subliminally to my a$$ about being big?
Also, when I look at my picture in these cute little bowls, it felt less like a main meal and more of a side dish.
Ingredients:
Chopped vegetables: squash, tomatoes, cabbage carrots sweet yellow peppers, onions and celery.
Prepare couscous and stir into vegetables.
For protein I added Red Kidney Beans and tuna.
Dressing- Cider vinegar olive oil and lemon juice. Oregano, salt and pepper to taste.
I made plenty and also had it the next day. I think it was even better because the dressing soaked into the ingredients.
Women Over 50 – A Life Redesigned podcast hosted by Shelly Drymon invited us to appear on the podcast!
On this past Friday, the tables were turned. Jill and I appeared on a podcast as her guests!
Thanks to Shelly Drymon host of the Women Over 50 – a Life Redesigned podcast for interviewing us for an upcoming episode!
“Thanks so much,” said Shelly Drymon. “You gals are fantastic. Great conversation with Chris and Jill of Becoming Elli and the hosts of the podcast Fit Strong Women over 50.” This is an early release of her most recent podcast episode.
We talk about our fitness journey, trying to eat healthy, and the challenges of maintaining a weight loss.
The description for her podcast is
Conversations with women over 50 who have amazing stories of conquering fears, tragedy, and trauma and have gone on to design a life they love. Grab a cup of coffee or glass of wine and join us!
We will update this post with a link to the Women Over 50 – A Life Redesigned podcast episode when the edited version is available.
UPDATE: Click here to listen to the podcast episode from Shelly’s website!
Apple Podcast Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/becoming-ellie/id1473736551?i=1000477168965
Spotify Link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2qYCxGndNtkZBGuJls5X8J
Let us know what you thought of the podcast. Do you like having a video version of the interview on line? Does that help you connect or is it distracting? We’d love to hear your thoughts!
