Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Welcome 2014!!!

It's that time of the year again!  Time to wipe the slate clean, to set our resolutions for the year, and to make positive changes with our lives.  For me, 2014 is going to be about me and my body, me and my relationships, and me and my career.

#1 resolution:  Fitness.  I want to run a half marathon.  I want to hike 10 miles in a day.  I want to bike to the local trail head, hike 3500 feet of elevation gain and back down and then bike back home.  I want to run a 7.5 minute mile.  These are my fitness goals for this year.  But mostly I want to feel strong.  I want to be able to go out and do anything I want and not be hindered by my lack of endurance or stamina.  I don't want to worry about asthma.  I want to push myself to my limits and then keep going, because that's how you become better.  So the first thing I'm going to do is the COUCH TO 5K program!!!
  

#2 resolution: Healthy Eating.  I want to regulate what goes into my body.  I want those foods to be natural and unprocessed.  I want more energy by eating the things that won't slow me down. I don't want to eat fast food.  I want to make all of my meals and know exactly what's in them.  I want to save money from eating out and spend more on what truly makes me happy.  So what will be my starting line?  100 DAYS OF REAL FOOD!!!




#3 resolution: Get Out!  This year I want to hike more.  I want to explore.  I want to test my limits and backpack solo.  I want to circumnavigate Crater Lake. I want to participate in a snowshoe walk for breast cancer.  I want to snowboard at least once.  I want to live in the moment and do crazy things.  I want to become a gear tester and a hardcore blogger.  I want to inspire people.  I want to lead people into the wilderness.  I want to become a guide for the Sierra Club.  How? by HIKING 1,000 MILES THIS YEAR!!!


 #4 resolution: Career it up!  I want to be passionate about my future.  I want the desire to study, to read, to write.  I want to ensure that my future is secure and that I have a chance to make a difference in the world.  I want to prove that I am worthwhile and that I'm special. I want to do well on my GRE.  I want to be desirable to my graduate school and show them that I can do the work and succeed without exception.  The plan?  READING, WRITING, STUDYING, NETWORKING.

SO WHAT ARE MY SPECIFIC GOALS FOR 2014?
~LOSE 100 POUNDS
~HIKE 1,000 MILES
~SCORE HIGH ON GRE
~SIERRA CLUB LEADER
~NETWORK WITH WWU
~BE GOOD TO MYSELF 

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

What I'm Loving Now: December 2013

I guess this is going to turn into a monthly occurrence, since it's about this time I really wish I had a few new gadgets!  So here's the next installment of the gear I'm craving at the moment.

The Tubbs Women's Wilderness Snowshoes. I've looked at a lot of snowshoes and these seem to be the ones I keep coming back to.  The innovative Fit Step Frame makes for smooth and effortless walking in all types of terrain.  From groomed trails to deep powder, these snowshoes can keep up with whatever adventure you want to tackle.  The Active Lift heel lift, the Wilderness aids in your steep ascents. Unfortunately this is the only feature I've read problems about.  People said that it was too stiff and that they couldn't lift it with their trekking poles life you're supposed to.  Where this may seem like an issue, I don't think I would want it to be easy to lift.  I would constantly be concerned with it falling back down when I needed it the most.  Maybe it locks in place or is sturdy, but it would always be on my mind.  But for $199 (or sale as low as $159) seems like a pretty good choice to me!