Outdoors Me

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My goal for this lovely New Year:  walk every single day.  Walk a few miles, walk a few blocks.  Just walk.  Get off the couch and out the door.  Say hello to neighbors.  Say hello to nature.

photo (70)

Mission accomplished (during my lunch break – an excellent time for a walk, if you ask me!)

 

When the Husband doesn’t come with me, I’m working on being present during my walks.  I’m always tempted to jump on my cell and call a friend.  Just appreciating where I am and how I feel (even if I’m sad or mad) is so much more fulfilling and productive.  I come back from walks feeling restored.  It’s almost better than a giant latte. 

 

Note that I said almost.

 

PB and jelly snack:

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And lunch featured my favorite frozen meal from Trader Joe’s – the Chana Masala.  Looks disgusting, tastes amazing.  Especially with brown rice and steamed greens.

IMG_5706

Thought of the Day:

 

“A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.” – Lou Holtz

{ 42 comments }

 

  • Heather January 2, 2012, 3:33 pm

    that’s a great goal! i was speaking to a work friend right before halloween about walking and how I want to spend at least 5 minutes walking outside each day throughout the chilly weather. It’s been refreshing and most of the time I’ve walked for much longer!

  • kathleen @ the daily crumb January 2, 2012, 3:40 pm

    what a great goal. both the walking and being present — something i definitely need to work on.

  • Cara @ I Don't Believe in Diets January 2, 2012, 3:45 pm

    That sounds like a great goal. Except perhaps to skip a walk on the day after you give birth. hah. 😉

  • Emily January 2, 2012, 3:57 pm

    Looks good to me! Enjoy your time!

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat January 2, 2012, 4:02 pm

    Awesome goal, Caitlin! I love how you talk about being present when you’re walking on your own. So often when I go for walks, I feel it’s a waste of time unless they have a purpose (which usually ends up being stopping in at a shop!) This goal just might become one of mine!

  • JenRD January 2, 2012, 4:02 pm

    I have been wondering if that frozen dish is any good. I will have to try it! I’m on a chick peas kick lately.
    Being present is definitely important–and tough to do!

  • Chelsea @ Strawberry Sweat January 2, 2012, 4:16 pm

    I definitely need to work on being present, especially when walking. Too often, I think of myself as “too busy” to enjoy the scenery, the people around me, or my thoughts. Thinking seriously about adding a “walk daily” resolution to my New Year’s Resolutions!

  • Leslie January 2, 2012, 4:18 pm

    That’s a great goal! I walk every day, the only time I don’t if it’s raining. I do it mostly for me, but getting my 3 dogs their exercise is my main motivation

  • Katie @ Peace Love & Oats January 2, 2012, 4:29 pm

    I walk everyday just because I live in downtown Chicago and don’t have a car! The gym and the grocery store are a half mile!

    • Caitlin January 2, 2012, 9:44 pm

      Urban lifestyles rule!

  • Sophie @ threetimesf January 2, 2012, 4:29 pm

    That is a great goal!

  • Kath January 2, 2012, 4:56 pm

    This is a wonderful resolution! I love walking too. Just got back from a walk with Faith!

    I will happily talk on the phone with you on a walk – since most days I’m G-chatting to you on my walks!

  • kate January 2, 2012, 4:56 pm

    being present is definitely something i’ve been working on, especially in therapy but it never really clicked until i read the book “The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle

    the title sounds like a super cheesy “self help” find of book but it is SO informative and everything he says is kind of like an “ah HA!” moment…at least for me! you should definitely read it if you’re interested in the idea of being present, ect!

    • Caitlin January 2, 2012, 9:45 pm

      That is one of my FAVORITE books. Have you read A New Earth?

      • kate January 2, 2012, 10:23 pm

        not yet but its on my list!
        i actually really got into these books strangely (or maybe not so strangely…) when i went to a holistic doc for my back problems and so much of what he said resonated with me and how stress and repressed feelings cause back pain and illness ect…it was truly amazing and really opened my eyes a lot more to holistic medicine/treatments!
        i know he’s no where in your area (i’m in the nyc area) but the practice that he is in is REALLY interesting and i’m sure it’s available through other professionals in different areas.. and maybe you/your hus/someone reading this could benefit from his technique (called muscle activation technique)
        his website is:
        http://www.reactivateme.com/new/

        enjoy 🙂 !

  • Kayla January 2, 2012, 5:02 pm

    Love this resolution! Wish I lived somewhere where I could walk around the block throughout the year.. without winding up lost in a snow storm or something..

  • Laura January 2, 2012, 5:16 pm

    I think that’s a great goal, and something I need to work on, too. I definitely need to work on being present, not just on walks, but in life in general.

  • Erica January 2, 2012, 5:18 pm

    I’ve had a box of chana masala from TJ’s in my freezer for two weeks and I keep saving it for when i need comfort food! It’s my favorite!

  • Hillary January 2, 2012, 5:36 pm

    Walking with no music and no phone is one of my favorite things (I just started doing it last year). At first it was a little awkward (well, awkward for me, at least. I find myself getting squirmy with just my thoughts which is really sad, come to think of it!), but then I started to love how clear my head felt when it was over. Enjoy it!

    • Caitlin January 2, 2012, 9:48 pm

      I know what you mean! I get squirmy too so I talk to James and look crazypants.

  • kristin January 2, 2012, 5:44 pm

    I love that channa masala! I like to eat it over TJs pilaf. Its in the rice section already made it has a lot of different grains in it and great spices.

  • chelsey @ clean eating chelsey January 2, 2012, 6:11 pm

    That’s a really great goal – I think I might have to start walking more as well!

  • Jordan January 2, 2012, 6:41 pm

    Walking is one of my favorite activities. Living in San Francisco there are plenty of hills to walk to get great exercise. If you ever come to SF definitely check out some of the stairwalks!

  • Holly January 2, 2012, 6:45 pm

    I love that goal! You are going to feel so good after your daily walk. I might have to borrow it.

  • Lindsey January 2, 2012, 7:21 pm

    Your goal to walk everyday is awesome! I absolutely love my walks with my dog. They happen almost everyday and I look forward to them. I think it’s a good activity to unwind from the day.

  • Tracy January 2, 2012, 7:42 pm

    Hurray for walking!

    Is the TJ’s Channa Masala in the frozen foods or shelf stable indian section?

    • Caitlin January 2, 2012, 9:48 pm

      Frozen!

  • Amber @ Bold, Busy, Blessed January 2, 2012, 7:45 pm

    That’s a great goal! Especially when you’re a doggie owner, double win.

  • CJ @ http://healthy-happy-whole.com/ January 2, 2012, 8:06 pm

    what a beautiful picture of nature. it makes me want to go for a walk outside rather than on the treadmill. too bad its like 20 degrees here 🙁 i do enjoy a good snowy walk though 🙂

  • Laura January 2, 2012, 8:07 pm

    I love taking walks 🙂 When we lived downtown, I had a half mile walk to work. It was so nice to be outside before starting my work day. Ok, except for when it was pouring down rain (because I live in the PacNW).

  • Laura January 2, 2012, 9:36 pm

    Great goal! Plus, it’s safer to be fully aware of your surroundings when walking. It’s easy to get distracted when on the phone. (I’m a tad paranoid.)

    • Caitlin January 2, 2012, 9:52 pm

      Paranoid is usually smart, unfortunately 😉

  • Luv What You Do January 2, 2012, 10:18 pm

    I had to smile…I had TJ’s Chana Masala for dinner too. It was my first time trying it. But I am clearing out the fridge and freezer pre vacation, so we didn’t have a lot of dinner options. The house smelled great and dinner was delish (I had mine with spaghetti squash and broccoli…totally random, but it’s what we had in teh hosue).

  • Allie January 2, 2012, 11:41 pm

    I love the idea of being present! I need to work on that 🙂

  • Khushboo January 3, 2012, 12:24 am

    I love taking walks and always leave my phone at home! That ‘alone’ time is so important for me to just zone out and appreciate my own company!

  • Jesse Fuller January 3, 2012, 6:19 am

    Good article ! Good advice. Thanks.

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin January 3, 2012, 7:58 am

    What a great goal! Walking always puts me in such a good mood and makes me feel healthier. I think it’s so important to get physical activity on top of our scheduled workouts, and walking is such a great way to do that!

  • Kelly January 3, 2012, 10:25 am

    that’s a GREAT resolution!!! I think you’ll be successful and Baby HTP will really appreciate it 🙂

  • Yolie @ Practising Wellness January 3, 2012, 1:51 pm

    I love going for walks in nature, smiling at passers by, and being present, maybe listening to some uplifting positive music – I find nature really helps ground me, and brings me a sense of peace – it is also very refreshing! Love that photo at the top, looks like a stunning place to walk 🙂 xyx

  • Jon @elements2lead January 3, 2012, 7:40 pm

    Caitlin, I love what you said about enjoying the walk and focusing on being present. Sometimes I find myself grabbing a book or even taping a flashlight to my hat so I can multi task. Ha. I need to work on just being present on my walk and just enjoying the sky or nature. My task could just be being grateful I can walk and be outside. You might like this TED video on gratitude and nature that I am watching several days a week. So good!

    http://www.ted.com/talks/louie_schwartzberg_nature_beauty_gratitude.html

  • Kim S. January 4, 2012, 11:00 am

    I love walking but have such a hard time here in Northeast when it’s 10 degrees outside. Do you have any tips?

    • Caitlin January 4, 2012, 11:01 am

      You need fleece-lined running tights. they make a HUGE difference.

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