Sunday, October 25, 2009

Weekend meanderings

It's been a glorious autumn Sunday after the gloomiest, rainiest Saturday of the century. Yesterday I didn't want to go anywhere because of the hassle of dealing with rain gear, umbrellas, and not wanting to slip in a puddle and risk further wrenching of my delicate left knee that is showing signs of improvement. Today on the other hand, I haven't wanted to be inside at all. The fall colors are at their peak here, if not a day or 2 past prime; driving along my usual routes feels surreal with trees so intensely hued that the leaves appear liquid in the sunlight.

I took a walk at Ridley Creek State Park, the same place I took pictures in late September and posted. The colors and light have changed in 30 days, and so I decided to take a new round of photos to show off this beautiful resource just up the road a piece. My pictures don't reveal some of the vivid reds and oranges that I saw with my eyes...my simple camera has limits that I guess can't quite filter light to capture the brilliance of each and every jewel tone.












I'm a lucky duck to live in a region that affords 4 distinct seasons each year. I grew up in Florida where the only season was hot. Sometimes hot and humid. For a day or 2 each winter it might drop to mild, but palm trees and cacti don't change colors in the fall! I'd see pictures of Autumn in magazines and yearn to be near such explosion of color. Now I'm in its midst and loving it.

On the food and exercise front, my eating has been good this weekend. Last night (of the rainy day) the binge monster was poking around my psyche, but there was absolutely not one thing upon which to binge my brains out. Nuttin' honey (including no Nuts'N'Honey)! And I wasn't going to brave the dark monsoon raging outside to bring in "supplies". That felt like an answer to prayer, by the way. So I fell asleep and woke up with another clean day. Gosh, that feels good. It's a lot easier to clear the house of all contraband when one is home alone. But it also gets real old after several days. Hubby returns late Monday night from his Chicago junket and I'll be tickled pink to have him back.

I walked about 3 miles both weekend days and am glad to report my knee is improving. Not perfect, but much better. One thing - when you injure a body part in your 50s, you heal a LOT slower than when you were a sweet young thing in your 40s and less. Take heed young bloggers - stay on this journey to fitness, wellness and strength now while your estrogen is still percolating! That strength will serve you well when your ovaries are gasping their last breath. Strong muscles help support osteopenic bones. I'm fortunate that my bone density scan reveals that so far I have almost no bone thinning or loss. I've added a lot of muscle mass and strength just since June, which is wonderful. But it would have been good to emerge from menopause already strengthened. No regrets - I'm doing it now. But if my experience in this can't be a cautionary tale, what good is being 56?!? If I only knew then what I know now=D!

14 comments:

  1. loved the pics - I am in Indiana - those pics could have been taken here - we are at the exact same stage. Leaves on the ground make things a bit tricky. I am so cautious about falling or twisting something. (I can so relate to those in their 80's that live in fear of falling - I am NOT in fear - but am conscious of it).

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  2. We had snow yesterday in Denver, so I guess we've skipped the lovely fall days stage. About 1/2 the leaves are down off the trees, and now it's just a gob of a mess on the lawn. BTW, I love how you describe a good day of eating as "clean." So apt. Hope you have another clean day today!

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  3. Hi Leslie. Sounds like a good weekend. No bingeing and a beautiful walk - with the pictures to prove it.

    Great to start the week with such a weekend behind you.

    Best wishes,
    Bearfriend xx

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  4. Beautiful! I actually ended up running longer than I planned yesterday because my views were gorgeous too and I just wanted to enjoy before the day and it's chores dragged me down. I can't even begin to tell you how many times I've told young co-workers how much I wish I had been fit and active beginning in my 20s instead of waiting until my 40s!

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  5. Don't you just love walking in Autumn? Your pictures are beautiful! So glad to hear that your knee is showing improvement!!

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  6. Thanks for sharing the pics and glad to hear that the knee is getting a little better.

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  7. Such beautiful photos - and what a gorgeous river! I would LOVE to have a home in the middle of somewhere like that, with just nature (and my cats, baby and partner!) for company. :o) Just looking at your lovely Autumn pics has made me feel calm and peaceful. :o)

    Glad your knee if feeling a little better and you avoided The Binge Monster...

    Patsy x

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  8. http://baby-steps-v.blogspot.com/2009/07/if-you-are-in-maintenance-and-able-to.html

    there are several links in that old posting (of mine) with other bloggers talking about processed food/additives. I didn't go back and read them all - but thought there might be bits here and there that would interest you.

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  9. Love those pictures a lot. I graduated high school/college in Florida and understand the no seasons/hot temperature thing!

    Keep babying that knee.

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  10. Yup, that's why I do so much strength training. Not only does it make me look and feel good, but I don't want osteoporosis. No siree. Thanks for the lovely pictures, by the way. I live in Wyoming where we get two seasons--9 months of cold and three months of warm (not hot), so the trees usually just die here before they change colors.

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  11. The pictures are great. You are doing do good. I bet you are lonely.You will have to give your man a big hug when he gets home. It is raining here and will be all week. I rode my inside bike today. Hopefully no rain Halloween. I have been putting off buying candy so I would not eat it all. But I have to get some soon. I am going to get the kind I don't like. If it is not choc. I don't eat it. Thanks goodness. Or I would be in trouble.

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  12. Love the pics! I just got back from Oregon, where the colors were glorious. Here in California we are still having 80 degree weather, and the trees are not so inclined to change colors yet!

    Keep up the good work. Your struggles are similar to what so many of us have gone through. It is worth it though, to feel more fit and healthy.

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  13. LOL, I had to laugh out loud at the one "hot" season in FL...I was born and raised in Jacksonville, FL for my first 27 years...do you know how many 80 degree Christmas' I had??? Good grief, lol. I'm so thankful to be in N. Georgia now and be able to experience all 4 seasons. It's a real treat. I love those photos!! Thanks for sharing them. :)

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  14. Gorgeous shots. I was raised in AZ (the lovely part-- near Sedona). Now I'm not too far from you, as I believe I have enjoyed Ridley Creek myself a time or two :) I'm further west in pa and grooving on the Appalachian Trail (when it's not too wet).

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