Here we are in a new year, and it’s always easy to say that we’re going to change things as the year starts, but sometimes you have a feeling that things really are about to change. I feel like this is one of those years for me. I’m not looking to make huge changes, but I am planning to take better care of myself. Normally, I’m not big on resolutions, but I’ve actually been trying to get over the hurdle of inertia for a couple of months now and I figure now is as good a time to kick myself in the seat of the pants as any.
One reason to be more health conscious arrived in my life yesterday afternoon. While I was doing some work upstairs straightening up my studio area, I got a phone call from my stepmom. My dad is in the hospital waiting to find out if he’ll need emergency surgery to remove a blockage in his intestine. They are hoping the issue will resolve itself, and I’ll refrain from being more graphic, and that surgery can be avoided. I know that it was hard for my stepmom, sister and me to keep straight faces when my dad was told that it would be the only time someone told him that being able to fart is a good thing. Suffice it to say that I realize that there are some things I am genetically predisposed to, but I also know that I can postpone the effects of some of those things through a better lifestyle.
I’ve also been motivated more this year by Jessica at You Did What With Your Wiener with her 30/30 Challenge. If she can walk thirty minutes with her dogs every day in January in Oregon, then Bunny and I can do it in Illinois. It should get us in good shape for the Idita Walk in February, too. After that, Pamela at Something Wagging This Way Comes mentioned that January is National Train Your Dog Month and she challenged her readers to do things with their dogs to strengthen their bond. It’s like these people know I can’t resist a challenge or something!
I think that the key factor in getting out there is a sense that I’m not doing it alone. I can be competitive, but more than that, I dislike being left behind. I also like the fact that Bunny and I can do this together. Blueberry looked at me like I’d grown a second head when I asked her, and Morgan and Küster would drag me down the street on an icy day. Bunny is patient and enthusiastic enough to be a great walking partner, though. She’ll make me do my own walking, which is what I really need.
So, I have my new pink Fitbit, I have a plan of action and I have motivation. Now I just have to keep going. Times like this are when I miss Treat, our first Greyhound, who would hound me relentlessly every day to take a walk no matter what the weather was. Bunny isn’t as pushy, but she is always happy to go when I start getting ready. Today we’re starting things off with our annual New Year’s Day hike and we’ll see what happens from there.
I hope that 2013 brings everyone good health, happiness and prosperity. We welcomed the New Year with a nice dinner out and then watching fireworks over the river, then went home to watch the ball drop on TV with the dogs. It was a nice way to say good bye to 2012 and welcome 2013 in. Whatever it is that you’re hoping for, may you find it this year. From right now, there is only forward to look.
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My the Mom’s (sorta much) older brother juss habbed a bowel resection on a counta a blockage. It scared the Mom, and she iss on a big mission, teu. Whee are going teu look inteu the challenges yeu listed. Whee still haff my agility and obedience classes, butt motibation iss a berry good fing!!!
wif lubbs from Little Reufus
Happy New Year to you and the 2 and 4 leggers pack.
I hope your dad is going to be OK without surgery.
You know that one weighwatchers’ tip is having a dog? I’m sure you’ll have a great time.
Ok, you have talked us into the 30/30 walk and we will start tomorrow. The Iditarod walk sounds good too, usually February isn’t quite so cold as January here, so we can look forward to that. It will be much more fun with a group of people!
Cheers,
Jo and Stella
Loving the photo of Bunny.
I hope all your wishes come true in 2013.
We easily walk 30 minutes a day, if we didn’t, Barbie would go nuts. Bender can take or leave daily walks but Barbie will whinge for hours if she thinks you aren’t taking her out!
I am sitting here just now realizing that the 30 day challenge begins today. Hmmmm… Your post motivated me for sure. I definitely want to get out and do a 30 minute walk, but it’s -4 here right now.
I am really looking to make 2013 a healthier year too. i’ve been somewhat of a fog for the paat year, and 2012 just seems like the year to make a new start. so we will join you on your first day of 30, but it will just have to be this afternoon, when it’s supposed to be 14 (around 3 PM).
Tha L’s for the reminder and motivation Carrie. I hope your Dad doesn’t need surgery after all.
Happy New Year to you! MOM and I will be walking right along with you in the Idita Walk.
Blessings,
Goose
Praying that all goes well for your father. Not a great way to start the year but your attitude is wonderful. I am planning on going back to being active (which I was the entire first half of last year until my kidney stone woes started acting up). Time to start being active again!
Good health to all your family in 2013!
I’ve been hiking in the snow filled woods these past few days, and let me tell you, walking in snow is quite the workout! I hate the word”exercise”, but if you’re out there having fun with your dogs, exercise can be quite rewarding in so many ways.
Good luck with your stepfather. Hope all goes well. Y-bo and I have signed up for both challenges, too. See ya on the ‘trail’! LOL Happy New Year!
I am glad you can keep a sense of humor about your Dad. I hope everything works out ok.
The FitBit looks promising so I can’t wait to hear how it works for you. I can’t afford yet another gadget so I am going to stick with my old, trusty method and try out some new online tools and aps. It will give me something else to write about too.
And….BTW….we are in Seattle = Washington
Good for you! And Bunny will thank you for it! I have decided to join in, if it’s not too late. I’m pretty sure we do walk thirty minutes each day anyway, but this will make sure we do, huh?
Sorry to about your father. Fingers crossed for a fart!
Hmm. That sounds funny.
Bunny your mom & my mom are thinking alike this new year…First she took a look at the Idita-Walk challenge, but hesitated…Then she signed us up for both the 30/30 and Train Your Dog Cahllenges (nothing like peer pressure to get her off the couch) And she made a ticker for my blog to advertise our success (or failure)this month. Now she’s ready to sign up for Idita-Walk too…That’s a big commitment for the first quarter of the year, but if we can accomplish it we’ve got a super start on the rest of 2013 and you will too…good luck to all of us!
We’ll be right there with you! I am trying to be more present this year. I find time passes so quickly and I don’t really appreciate the good times while they are around. I need to take a page from my dog’s book and learn how to soak it all in before it’s too late.
Good luck on your challenges! I will definitely be cheering you on!
Good luck to you, and best wishes for your Dad.
Silas thinks walking every day is crazy. I guess that puts him on Blueberry’s side of the issue.
Dear Bunny’s mama, greetings from the rainforest!
I’m sorry to hear about your dad and hope he’ll be able to fart again soon
It’s hard for me to believe that you suffer from inertia! You’re so active, always doing things and going places with your 4. I feel like a couch potato compared to you. Anyway, I wish the best for you as you go forward. Happy new year to you, Mr T, Bunny, Blue, Morgan and Kuster X
You have some great ideas here and knowing that others are doing it too will help motive me. Truly, Maggie and I will join you for the 30/30 challenge. We’ll keep you posted on how it goes.
Hope your Dad gets better real soon.
Oh, that picture of Bunny is perfect! I know you are going to do well with your improvements and that Bunny will encourage you in all the best ways. We’ll look forward to following along. Hope your dad gets better soon.
Happy New Year! I know you can do it!
I hope your father is feeling better! I started using “myfitnesspal.com” in September and it has kept me pretty motivated
Wishing you a productive and successful 2013!! Happy New Year!
Good luck with your goals…you will have no problems achieving them!
We’re doing both challenges too. Here I was planning a nice quiet January and then all these folks challenge me to kick it up a notch! I’m excited for both. I’d love to hear what you think of the FitBit. It’s a gadget I’ve been looking at, but wasn’t really sure about!
I hope your dad is doing better now. That’s cool you got a FitBit. I bet you and Bunny will complete both of these challenges with flying colors. I got my first day under my belt with 30 minutes and Linus tried to chase down a squirrel other than that everything went well.
I hope you dad is doing better, Carrie. That’s not the kind of surprise you’re hoping for around the holidays! I’m excited to see how the challenges go. I think my back has recovered enough that I should be able to walk for 30 minutes a day by the end of this week. I may be a little late to the start, but I think I’ll jump on that 30/30 challenge, too!
Farting is always a good thing
Happy New Year to you and wishing your Papa a speedy recovery.
Go get em’
Hey, thanks for making me aware of these challenges. I particularly love the training challenge, with I just joined! I’ll be cheering for you on the 30/30 challenge. I secretly hope that Shyla and I will start snowbiking together in the next 30 days so I’m not joining that one.
I love Bunny’s New Year photo!