"Take a Hike" Saturday: Cowles Mountain

Two Saturdays ago I went on a Saturday hike with my friends, Jessica and Maricela. I picked Cowles Mountain as our hike. I didn't do much research because I have heard about the trail before through people. I parked on the backside of the mountain and we started our walk. As we were walking in, I noticed an incline. The incline got progressively steeper the further we went. It was a rough start and I almost wanted to turn around. I slowly climbed up those hills and I was so happy I did. It was an amazing experience to get to the top of Cowles Mountain and to know that I kept going. 

The start of the hike.

The first hill of the hike and I thought it got better from here... pssh!

Steep hills around every corner... 

First summit! I couldn't be happier!

Looking head, there's our other steep climb in site.

Stella was pulling along... 

Another beautiful view of East San Diego.

Lake Murray in sight!

Made it to the top! Junior is also proud of himself. 

View from the top! 

Juinor taking a rest. He was tired!

Jessica and Stella taking a rest at the top of Cowles Mountain.

Time to head down... this had to be equally as difficult as going up. Junior kept pulling me!

Overall, the hike was awesome. It such a huge accomplishment for me. I was talking with my trainer, Palani, yesterday and I was telling him how much I'm enjoying my hikes. It's something different and it really challenges my body and mind. I thought I couldn't get up those hills, I was scared I was going to stop half way and want to go back down but I didn't. I kept going and that's what matters. 


If I learned anything from my journey, it's to not give up. Things are going to get difficult. Some days will be harder than others but I need to continue to focus on the big picture: health. 


Until next time, keep smiling!

Monday Weigh-In 005

Down two more pounds! GOOD BYE!

Wow, I can't believe it's already week five. It's been five weeks since my first weigh-in and honestly, there hasn't been much movement on the scale. However, there has been some movement in my butt! I've been trying to be active at least five days out of the week. Today I didn't want to go to the gym. San Diego has been beautiful lately - the sun is out and the wind is blowing - it's the best of both worlds. I asked my coworker if she would like to join me on the Balboa Park trail and she agreed. I was excited because I've been thinking about the stairs we climbed and I've been wanting to try them again. Balboa Park isn't the safest place to be alone so it's really important to go in a group. Last Wednesday, I went with a group of my coworkers. Cathy had us running a little and let me tell you, I was struggling but I managed to run 1/4th of what we did. Now THAT'S an accomplishment! This time, Cathy and I just walked the hills with her brother. It was very relaxing and after they left - I went back to the stairs! I ended up burning 477 calories in an hour. 

The girls running ahead.

Rex trying to keep up with Yavana's son! 

Beautiful view of Balboa Park museums. 

Here, Cathy is warning us that the best is yet to come!

The infamous stairs! 

And up we go. These stairs are killer - they're almost NEVER ENDING!

Thank you California Conservation Corps! 

It's been really important for me to get out of the house and be active. I may be losing weight at a slower rate but I'm happy that I feel more motivated to go work out. I'm still logging my food and keeping track of my calorie intake. This has been CRUCIAL to my weight loss. If I miss a day, I feel like I've cheated on myself. While I understand the need to have a "cheat" day - I feel for me, it's more important to just have one "cheat" meal a week. It'll keep me sane but it will also keep my calories on track. 

Do you have a cheat day or a cheat meal? Share your cheat! 

Thanks to everyone who has been commenting and supporting. It's been amazing to talk to everyone. Keep in touch! 

Until next time, keep smiling! 

Kristen 

Hiking a "Mountain"

Last week, Jessica (The Jessica L Blog) and I went on a hike in Mission Trails. It was a great 2 hour hike with lots of bugs and sweat! Jessica and I walked around the lake - or at least tried to - but we quickly realized that we were at a dead end. I decided to show her to dam and on the way we passed by a hill (pictured below). Jessica asked me where the hill went to and if I ever hiked it. I laughed and said of course not. That's when it hit me. I need to hike that hill. I felt challenged, not by Jessica, but by myself. I asked her if she wanted to and of course, she said yes. I dreaded walking up that steep hill (or at least it looked steep to me). I was worried I was going to get stuck half way and embarrass myself. I've never been much of an uphill hiker and so the thought of it was very daunting. However, I had my dog Junior helping me and I was so excited when I made it up that hill. Sweating and breathing hard - my heart rate reached 187. I was just so happy I made it up. I looked out and over Mission Trails and I felt proud. It made me realize how important it is for me to confront my fears and to challenge myself. 

Here's Junior helping me up the hill. Actually, he really wanted to meet the dog that the people ahead of me had walking with them. Of course, never thinking of me! 

The top of the hill! I made it! I danced! I laughed! I cried! I screamed! Okay, I didn't do any of that but I sure was proud of myself! 

Now, we had to walk through here and then make a right to the dam. Going down hill was difficult with a pulling dog.

A perfect picture spot!

Jessica and Stella taking the lead. It looked like we were in an "enchanted" forest. No, not really but it sure was pretty! 

Oh, thanks Junior for participating. The end of a lovely hike with a lovely girl and our lovely dogs! Now we get to celebrate with frozen yogurt courtesy of Golden Spoon!

Until next time, keep smiling! 




Kristen 

Monday Weigh-In 001

Every morning my boyfriend wakes me up at around 5-5:30am. He lives in Louisiana so it's not completely "weird" but when he does that, I tend to say good morning and then fall back asleep. I've been trying to wake up when he calls but for some reason, I've had no desire to get out of bed. Today was different. It was mostly different because I need to start putting my foot down (off the bed) and get going in the morning. However... my dog, Rex, had different plans. 

Alright Rex, you can sleep in...

Every Monday morning, I want to do a weigh in. It may help keep me motivated - also, it may help motivate me to paint my toe nails! 

And here it is, the "truth."

Now, I know a lot of people don't like to focus on the "number" but for me, the number helps. I don't see changes on myself right away. Yes, I feel better and happier but I get motivated by results. The change in that numbers helps me know that I'm balancing input and output of calories. Does it help anyone else? 

Anyway, onto breakfast....

I had strawberries with cottage cheese and honey along with some oatmeal. The Quaker Maple and Brown Sugar (Weight Control) is my favorite. I'm still not a fan of cottage cheese but I'm going to eat it because I bought it and I really dislike wasting food. 

After eating breakfast, I packed my food for the day. 

I like to pack a mid-morning snack, my lunch, and an afternoon snack. Sometimes I don't eat it in this order and sometimes I don't eat what I pack at all. For example, for my mid-morning snack I had a banana and the nuts. For lunch I just ate my salad, the "chicken" patty, fruit salad, and the Fiber One bar. I decided not to have an afternoon snack due to my late lunch. (I just ate the apple as an after dinner snack.)

Here I am enjoying some time after work with my animals. After this I worked out... just to earn a few more calories for dinner. WHAT? That's my motivation sometimes! Haha :-)

Taylor wanted to hang out as well... 

After I worked out I made dinner but I'll save that for another post! 

Until then, keep smiling! 

Kristen