NO MAGIC PILL

WALKING 4 HEALTH;  make 2016 the year of YOU!  There is no magic pill, no special shake, and no secret diet just get in gear and get moving.  There are some great benefits of walking.  It gets you out of the house and into terrific physical shape.  It lifts your spirits in “Just 10 minutes of walking the pace you would use if you were late for an appointment – but obviously without the stress of being late-can boost your mood for two hours.”  Says Robert Thayer, PH.D.

 (2015 Extreme Walk 4 Diabetes Day 10 mile 430)

Yep its true walking makes you happy!  Exercise boosts your mood studies show that a brisk walk is just as effective as antidepressants in mind to moderate cases of depression, releasing feel-good endorphins while reducing stress and anxiety.  So for positive mental health, walking an absolute must.

(Summer's End Marathon 9-15-2015)

Walking gives you energy and you’ll get more done with more energy, and a brisk walk is one of the best natural energizers around.  It boosts circulation and increases oxygen supply to every cell in your body, helping you to feel more alert and alive.  Try walking on your lunch break to achieve more in the afternoon.

Eating healthy can change your life, change your eating change your life.  You don't have to give up the foods you enjoy but the key is to do it in small quantities.  Instead of calorie counting ask yourself where the food came from and if it's nutritious.  Healthy, nutrient-rich foods will help keep hunger at bay, help maintain stable blood sugar levels, and minimize cravings.  Eat the rainbow.  Greens, oranges, reds, purple, yellows will supply your body with a range of disease-fighting nutrients, and will naturally fill you up to help you cut back on unhealthy foods.  

WALKING TIP:

Brisk is best on the walking front and intervals are the key. Plan to do a 30-minute walk and break it up into burst of high-speed power walking for 4-5 minutes split with 1-2 minute slow walking breaks.  Carry weights or a backpack to make things a bit tougher.  You can also add some push-ups and squats for a great 30 minute fitness workout.

 Have a fabulous workout and keep smiling!

-Walking Diva-

i Walk, you Run, we Both get it done!

Make 2016 the year to exceed ALL of your fitness goals.  Take on a fitness challenge, raise YOUR bar, sign up for an event, try something new and keep believing in yourself and your fitness goals.  If you trust the process, eat clean, workout consistently, make healthy choices and keep believing you'll see results.  And remember, success NEVER comes to those who quit.

You wonder why I walk so much...I wonder why you don't...

-Walking Diva-

Why Walk? Um… Finally an exercise that’s simple and easy to do with a lot of benefits.  It may not be flashy or cool but I think it is, but it’s a growing sport and if done often and properly can deliver an array of benefits that are just as impressive as those often gained from sportier regimens.  You might call walking America’s growing trend. 

Who knew...

Have a good workout and a fabulous day!

ONE STEP AT A TIME

WALKING 4 HEALTH; Walking is a great way to get fit and by changing your eating habits they work well together.  Being healthy and fit is a lifestyle change.  Let’s get in gear, get moving and make 2016 the year of YOU to get healthy & fit by making a daily change in your lifestyle.  SMILE! 

Walking is a low-impact exercise that’s easy, free and available to everyone.  Walking lowers the risk of type 2 diabetes and helps you lose weight.  It tones up your calves, quads and hamstrings.  Walking also boosts vitamin D.  We all need to get outside more.  Many people are vitamin D deficient, affecting important things like bone health and our immune systems.  Walking is the perfect way to enjoy the outdoors while getting your vitamin D fix.  I enjoy walking it’s a lot of fun!  Try it…

2016 is the year of YOU!

I WALK

The Year of YOU 2016 and it’s your year to get inspired and excited about getting healthy & fit! Get a jump start on 2016 by starting your fitness program today. There is many ways to get active in your everyday life and it's never too late to start.  My exercise of choice is walking.  Walking is the oldest and easiest form of exercise.  Walking leads to running, biking, hiking, swimming, lifting weights, yoga, pilates, and boxing.  Pick a physical activity get in gear and get moving.   And SMILE!!!

KIWI SMOOTHIE

(kale, Kiwifruit, banana, pineapple & coconut water)

Some say I’m a Badass, some say I’m Awesome, some say I’m Amazing, some say I’m an Inspiration but I say I’m just like YOU. Diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, stress and many other diseases are knocking at my door and I’m trying my best to not let them in. Changing the way you eat and adding exercise daily can help prevent some of these diseases. Just saying!!!

Strange as it sounds, during the 1870s and 1880s, America’s most popular spectator sport wasn’t baseball, football, or horseracing—it was competitive walking. Inside sold-out arenas, competitors walked around dirt tracks almost nonstop for six straight days (never on Sunday), risking their health and sanity to see who could walk the farthest—more than 500 miles. These walking matches were as talked about as the weather, the details reported in newspapers and telegraphed to fans from coast to coast. This long-forgotten sport, known as pedestrianism, spawned America’s first celebrity athletes and opened doors for immigrants, African Americans, and women. But along with the excitement came the inevitable scandals, charges of doping and insider gambling, and even a riot in 1879. Pedestrianism chronicles competitive walking’s peculiar appeal and popularity, its rapid demise, and its enduring influence.

It might take a year, it might take a day, but what's meant to be will always find a way.  

2014 Rollercoaster Year

2014 Rollercoaster Year

When I look back at 2014 the year was like a rollercoaster with many twist and turns and ups and down!  I started the year in Texas at the Texas Marathon I met a lot of my Facebook friends. I finished the marathon in pretty good time considering I didn't get any sleep my flight arrived into Texas at 11:30pm and I said "Happy New Year" to myself while lost trying to find my hotel.  I called my husband crying saying I will never do this again I hate being by myself on New Year Eve and he said "Yo, you say that every year, go to sleep you will be fine in the morning.  Yes he was right I was happy and smiling!

Texas Marathon with Jay Guzman

I had no plans for 2014 and not sure what I wanted to do. In January I finished the Texas, Camarillo and Honkers marathon and I had my first DNF (Did Not Finish) of two at Coldwater Rumble 100 Miler in Arizona.  At mile 40 I got heat exhaustion and had to drop.  I was having a great race feeling strong and happy. You never know what's going to happen I ended up in the medical tent.

 Camarillo Marathon with Guinness World Record holder Eddie Vaga

Coldwater Rumble 100 Miler at the start

Mile 20

Mile 40

February was a much better month I finished the brutal Sean O’Brien Trail Marathon in Malibu, the rainy Golden Gate Headland Marathon in San Francisco and PR’ed  at Jackpot 100 Miler in Las Vegas.

Sean O'Brien Trail Marathon Malibu Canyon

 Golden Gate Headland Marathon San Francisco

Jackpot 100 Miler Las Vegas 25:16:51

In March I did a double Red Rock and LA Marathon and the next weekend Catalina Marathon and Run4Kids 50K both in the same day.  I fractured my ribs at mile 5 at Old Goat 50K and finished it 26 miles later…Oh boy was I in pain won’t do that again!

At the start of Red Rock Marathon in Las Vegas with my lovely friend Kit Brazier

 Beautiful Red Rock Canyon

Met one of my Facebook friends Richard Peete at LA Marathon

Catalina Marathon

Finished the Catalina Marathon and Run4Kids 50K in the same day!

Old Goat 50K with the winner Serena Eley and fracture ribs!

I was honored to be one of the guest speakers at the Reno Marathon and excited to be there as my Lake Tahoe Triple buddy Jennifer Lee Dicus finish her 100^th lifetime marathon/ultra.  I was a little nervous about returning to the Boston Marathon but many of my friends and family said “you will be in the safest city in the world”.  The month of April was my Coast to Coast back to back marathons. I didn't get in Big Sur Marathon so I did San Luis Obispo Marathon.

Honored to be with Tony Nguyen and Helene Quintal Neville

 So excited for Jennifer 100 lifetime marathons/ultras!

I was safe!

I'm an official Boston Marathon finisher 5:40:58

San Luis Obispo Marathon

Coast to Coast and I finished with fractured ribs 

May was my 3^rd double of the year Labor of Love and OC Marathon along with my favorite Nanny Goat 12/24 Hour Run.  I have done Nanny Goat every year and this year I got sick at mile 46 and I dropped to the 12 hour run.  

 Labor of Love Marathon

 OC Marathon

Labor of Love and OC Marathon medals

The month of June I only did one marathon but I challenged myself by doing the Laguna Beach Step/Stairs and going to the gym and lifting weights. 

 Father's Day Marathon

 Laguna Stairs/Steps

 12,600 steps!!!

 LA Fitness - toning up!!!

July was fun I did the 4^th of July quad and I started my journey to 500 lifetime marathons/ultra.  One of my favorite ultra this year was the Poker Run in Las Vegas cool medal.  Marathon/ultra #479- 485...

Having fun with Rieko and Edward

Keep walking and smiling!

Met Mr. Marathon Maniac Edward Broadnax 

 Love the Poker Run medal

August was amazingly awesome over 720 miles and 320 of those miles were very special. Extreme Walk 4 Diabetes Death Challenge, raising awareness and funds for Diabetes.  6 Days in the Dome in Alaska 400 miles, 3^rd place woman and 10^th place overall. 

 Thank you to my awesome sponsors

6 Days in the Dome Alaska 3rd woman, 10th place overall

Thank you Westside Newspaper for your loyal sponsorship!

Lake Tahoe Triple my 8^th consecutive year!!! Love love love Lake Tahoe Triple.  I DNF last year at Kodiak 50 Miler and came back this year and finished but I spent more time trying to DNF that I finished in 16 hours and 15 minutes.  What I learn is clear your mind of doubts and stay focus.  I got to met some of my Facebook friends at Ventura Marathon.  Lifetime marathons/ultras  #487 - 491  

 Lake Tahoe Triple Day 3 finish line

 With my marathon friends Jane Herzog and Cyndie Merten

 Met my Facebook follower Donald Osborne at Ventura Marathon

 It's always a pleasure seeing barefoot Alberto Perussett

Kodiak 50 Miler in Big Bear very challenging course

October was a challenging month two attempts at lifetime marathon/ultra #492.   First attempt Majestic Marathon in Huntington Beach around mile 10 I started to feel sick I dropped to the half marathon.  My second attempt was Javelina Jundred Miler in Arizona at mile 47 I got heat exhaustion and DNF my second DNF of the year.

Very excited!

 Hotel Javelina Jundred

I always stop for a Diva pose!

November 8th, third time is a charm Catalina Island Marathon #492 done!!!  It was a beautiful day on the island and I saw some buffalo’s.

 #492 done!!!

He was coming after me!

Hanging out with my Run It Fast friends Deo Jerome and Josh Holmes

On November 16^th I had emergency surgery and I never knew anything was wrong.  I had major surgery my doctor remove some of my large intestine, part of my colon and appendix.  I was in the hospital for eight day and not once did I have a pity party. Two days after my surgery I was up and walking!

 Day 3 and I get to walk!

 December 26^th was my comeback marathon #493 Operation Jack Marathon five weeks after my surgery and no my doctor did NOT give me the green light.  2014 was a rollercoaster of a year full of good times and challenging times. I finished the year with 34 marathons/ultras.  Setbacks are stepping stones to something amazingly BIG. Take it to the limits, next level Baby.    Happy New YOU!

 finish 6:01

 So happy to me back doing what I love!

I’m wishing you a Fabulous, Successful, Healthy, and Fit 2015!!!

-Walking Diva 2.0-