Walking

It's 8:10 am on a Sunday and I am as awake as can be. I've had my first coffee, toast, and the dog has been walked and fed. She is chewing on her Nylabone while I catch up with the latest Olympic news online. Jenna doesn't know Sunday from Tuesday, so most mornings start at 6 am sharp. Did I mention that I haven't used an alarm since November?

Thing is, once I'm out on our morning walk, I'm really enjoying it. We walk at a fast(ish) pace, sometimes are the first ones to step onto fresh snow, and we get to see the city when it is still very quiet. We're out there when the oil trucks are finishing their run and filling the last few tanks. We're out there when the newspaper delivery guy throws a few copies of The Gazette (or La Presse maybe) before running back into his car. It used to be that we would leave the house in the dark, and return in the dark, but for the past few weeks, it's light out when we head back home.

I've been so busy these past few weeks that it has impacted my ability to head to the gym or go climbing. I would feel sluggish if it wasn't for those daily walks. The morning walk lasts around 30-40 minutes and I am always warm when I take off my coat. The evening walk can be short, or very long, depending on the weather and the behaviour of the dog. Sometimes she is just too excited to take on a long walk. And there are occasional lunch-hour walks, very short because I only have a limited amount of time to walk Jenna and eat before I return to work.

Having a dog is a lot of work, but it also has many rewards. Being forced to spend time outside and exercise daily are two excellent rewards.

Turning point

Wow, welcome back. This is addressed to me. I don't know where I've been for the past three weeks. Not blogging, that's for sure!

Well, I have my fingers crossed (and all my toes) that today marked a turning point in my series of failed attempts at getting back into a moderately fit lifestyle. Since I moved to Montreal, it's been incredibly hard to do any exercise on a regular basis. First, there was all the traveling. I know, that's not necessarily an excuse, but the gym at the hotel where I was staying was lamentable. Then, there was the cold. My poor body was trying to adjust to the freezing weather and NOT motivated to step out unless I needed to work or feed myself. At one point, I actually made it to Allez Up, a climbing gym along the canal, to check out the facility and ask about their prices. I wasn't fond of the area where the gym was located, but there was a bus that could take me there. Unfortunately, I hurt my wrist and you kind of need two hands to climb. Finally, last week, I visited the YMCA downtown and signed up on the spot for a year. I like the facility, it's enormous, has a large gym, a pool, lots of classes... Two days later, my gym bag waiting for me by the door, I catch a nasty cold. Why, or why (she pleads with open hands, looking at the sky).

I am determined to make today a turning point. I walked to work, something I intend to do a lot more. I don't even plan to buy a bus pass in April. At 6:30 a.m., it was still dark(ish), a bit cold and windy, but I was bundled up and ready to hit the elliptical machine. I did a light workout, mainly cardio, stretching and abs. No need getting sick again. I was showered, dressed, and on my way to work by 8:20, in the office before the rest of my colleagues who usually trickle in after 9. Very cool.

In the morning, the downtown Y is great, busy but not packed and the crowd is older. The afternoon I signed up, I visited the gym and was a bit turned off by the packed gym area. The gentleman giving me the tour said to avoid the place between 5-8 p.m. because it was always super busy. Duly noted. I am going to try the spinning classes early morning a few times per week, maybe even get a programme started (the membership allows you to get an appointment with an instructor for the gym every six weeks, for free!).

I feel better.