Zippy

Meet my hiking partner, Velvet, in this zestful open space.

The letter of the week from ABC Wednesday is the letter Z.

I choose the word zippy.


I belong to a Facebook group on body transformation where each member defines his or own transformation. Whether the goal is to lose weight, shape your body, add bulk, etc, we all want to work on our goals with eating and exercise.

We talk about, among other things, what gives us energy or motivation to exercise and go to the gym.

What makes me zippy and energetic? I tell them my secrets of having the energy to exercise or workout.

1. A breakfast with 20 or more grams of protein makes a difference. It gives me this satisfied feeling and not feel hungry for hours. When I go to the gym, I do not think about hunger or food because I am not hungry. How do I get 20+ grams of protein? I cheat by adding protein powder to my green smoothie. I eat yogurt or eggs or ham in the morning.
2. I drink lots of water. By the time I hit the door leaving the house to go to the gym, I would already drink 4 cups of water and then two more in the gym. I am well hydrated. In the past, before I get conscious about my water intake, I get so thirsty and get a headache while exercising. I reach my maximum heart rate according to my age within minutes of walking in the treadmill. I think I was dehydrated, that was why. In 15 minutes, I was so tired and could barely continue.
3. Caffeine also keeps me going. I feel a bit hyper after 1 cup of coffee and 2 cups of matcha tea. I pour this energy in cardio and weight machines. It works. It extends my stamina. No need for me to use expensive pre-workout out supplements.
4. Meditation and yoga, I think, helps my mind and helps me to think about positive things too so my mind does not wander too much and I could concentrate on what I want to do--exercise, read, or work.
5. My dog Velvet, keeps me going as we walk outside. She is so fun to be with on a hike. To see her happy motivates me to go further.
6. A good quality sleep. To me, it can be anywhere from six to nine hours with a good amount of deep sleep. I use my Fitbit blaze to track my sleep and I notice, the more I spend time in deep sleep, the better I feel throughout the day.

How about you? What gives you energy? How do you motivate yourself to move?

Charity and The Garden of Gods

Garden of Gods is one on the natural resources gifted by a man for all to enjoy. Once owned by Perkins, he donated this slice of heaven to the City of Colorado Springs in a condition that it remains free for all to visit. Look at my daughter proud of her climb and what a beauty this gift for all brings.

The alphabet this week is the letter C. What words inspire you to write? Today, I am thinking of:

1. Charity
2. Climb
3. Can
4. Church
5. Choosing
6. Changes
7. Choice
8. Charity Miles
9. Child
10. Contribution

This statement from church sticks to my mind this week. God wants us to want what he wants.

Is that like I want my teens to want what I want not simply do what I say without putting their heart into it? You betcha.

I'd like them to do good for themselves, nourish, not harm--their brain, body, and soul. I'd like them to put focus in school and pick good friends. I'd like them to be, someday, self-sufficient, and be helpful members of the society.

God wants us to helps ourselves so we can be of help to others. God wants us to be generous. It's only last Saturday, that I was convinced I should give more to charity and church. The right time in my definition will never come as I would probably never be satisfied with my income and expenses. But God wants me to give to others. In my preference, it would be to the church I currently go to, and the rest to a charity of my choosing (that changes from day to day).

I realize I do not have enough for my family yet to give ten percent but I deduct things like taxes, and my walking miles and photos I posted that is equivalent to a dollar a day. I also deduct loss income/support as my ex-husband fails to pay the minimum court-mandated child support since he left. My effort for walking and/or posting pictures in exchange to mentioning my donor pays the charity of my choice. Check Charity Miles and Donate a Photo.

My yearly contribution that I set up as a bimonthly deduction from my debit card still does not go over three digits but this is the most donation yet I have given in my life. And it feels great.

Deuteronomy 16:17 – "Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God which He has given you."