It has been an entire year since that last post and, needless to say, my resolution to get Joey and myself in shape has not gone well.  I do try to walk as much as possible, and I usually take Joey and Rocky with me; but I always indulge in junk food when I get home from the walk or when it's late at night and I'm tired.  I guess this getting fit stuff is going to take a miracle!  My husband has given up smoking after thirty-eight years, and that has truly been a miracle, yet every day he still encounters a strong desire to smoke.  If he can face this challenge, and so far it has been four months of no smoking, then I must face my challenge as well so that I can be fit, have energy, and be attractive to my husband, after all... I am the only woman he's got, so I want to try to be appealing.  
We've been in Cape Cod for the past four days, just the two of us.  It has been wonderful except when I see all of the women with beautifully fit figures and I am just trying to cover mine up.  I feel bloated quite often, and don't quite understand why.  I am really trying to take this eating healthy and fitness stuff seriously now, I want to feel good about myself and right now, when I look into the mirror I just don't.  Jeff and I have been taking very long walks on the beach each day that we've been here and that has been wonderful!  School will be starting soon and hopefully that will help.  Most of all, I need God's help.  He says that in our weakness, He is shown strong, maybe this is all a lesson to teach me to trust in Him for deliverance.
Lord,
Please help me.
Love-
Sandy

Paddle boarding the Au sable with my best friend, Rocky.

Getting In Shape With My Dog - Day 5

     Recently I was met with a challenge to get our basset/beagle/chow in shape by walking him daily around our neighborhood.  Truthfully speaking, he is my grand-dog left for my husband and I to care for when my son relocated to Colorado.  Joey, our dog, had been walked nearly every day, and even went on some crazy hiking adventures when our son was living at home. Now, however, he has not been as active.  In fact, not active at all and his body tone certainly reflects this inactivity.  Poor little guy.  Joe has a short body to begin with, large bone structure, rolls of fat around his neck, and an extra long body.  A challenge for any poor dog to begin with and considering his lack of exercise, the problem is only getting worse.
     Therefore, I have decided to take daily walks with Joe;  cut back on his twice a day feed; eliminate the snacks in between; and try to take him on some extra fun adventures as well.   As a result, I too hope to hope to achieve a body that is more fit and healthy.
     This will be day five of my walking routine.  We walk about two and a half miles each day, and I also include my other dog, Rocky.  Part of our journey includes a very steep hill where we encounter dogs, and free ranging suburban chickens.  Truly a challenge at times to assert who is in control of the leash.