Tag Archives: walking

Nov15

Fall Hiking Spree Success

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Fall Hiking Spree Success

Hello!! One of my favorite forms of exercise is easily taking walks and hiking. There are countless amazing Metro Parks in my neck of the woods within a twenty mile radius and beyond and it’s exciting to explore them. I try to go on at least four walks or hikes every week if the weather permits. Despite my absolutely insane schedule, it’s important to me to squeeze in that extra time for exercise. And, I always find that I feel much better after my walks even if I am really tired.

My go to walking companion is my older brother, Andrew, and we decided that we were going to make an effort to complete the Fall Hiking Spree. For the spree, the goal is to take hikes at eight different Metro Parks in the general vicinity by November thirtieth. Now, literally every year we talk about doing the hiking spree together and while we might do a few on the list, we never finished it in its entirety. I am pleased to report that this year, we not only talked about it but were about it. We took our last hike of the spree on Wednesday!!

I love walking with my brother and whether we spend our hikes chatting and joking or in silence, it is nice to work out together. I couldn’t tell you how many walks we take throughout the year but it is a lot and I can really tell that this hard work has paid off. Every time we hike together, we try to go a little bit further than we did the time before. These small increases might not seem like a big deal, but they were everything for an improved stamina. By the end of the spree and our past combined efforts, we were doing strenuous, three plus mile hikes like it was nothing. This was a thrill for us because we saw all of our previous “training” coming to fruition right before our eyes.

Not only did we complete the spree with time to spare, but we also became privy to Metro Parks that we had never been to before. It really gave me a better appreciation for the beauty in my own backyard and we found new favorite trails because of it. We saw the leaves change colors and fall, spotted wildlife, and fell in love with the trails that reminded us of Lord of The Rings. From beginner and moderate level hikes to the most advanced, we did them all and I am so proud of us!! We set our goal and achieved it and there is nothing better than that. 🙂

After our Fall Hiking Spree Success, I just know that Andrew and I will continue on with our new tradition for many years to come. I can’t wait already!!

Do you have a favorite trail to hike? What kind of wildlife do you see on your walks? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb8

Step To It

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Step To It

Hello!!! I am thrilled to be able to have a shift in my schedule because it is so nice to be able to change things up. I have been working a lot more from home starting in January and I also have been doing several transportation shifts as an Independent Provider too. It has been my wish to work as much as I can from home and I’m happy that it’s becoming true! However, you know that whole thing about the Freshman Fifteen? I’m convinced there is one for WFH too lol.

When you work from home, you don’t realize just how sedentary your day becomes. Paired with the frigid temps of winter, I have felt sluggish this past week and I turned to Johnny for inspiration. Johnny works in a factory and has taken great pleasure in monitoring his steps throughout the day. He has been doing an awesome job and it motivated me to start getting active once my work is done for the day.

Although it’s tempting to crash after a long shift, I have been trying to Step To It while Johnny and I watch TV. It might not be the most exciting form of exercise to march in place or walk back and forth across the room. But, it’s the best I can do until it’s warm enough for hikes after work and I feel good about making this change. I have been trying to get to or close to ten thousand steps a day and I can tell it’s working just after a little bit. I noticed an increase in my energy and stamina from merely pacing the apartment and that’s a wonderful improvement for something so simple. 🙂

My next plan of action to assist with the slower paced WFH life is to order a work out ball to sit on while I’m at the computer. It’s another easy solution to boost my activity throughout my shift and I can’t wait to try it!

How do you stay active at home? Where is your favorite place to walk at? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep23

Whatever The Weather OOTD Bloopers

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Whatever The Weather OOTD Bloopers

Hello everyone and welcome to the blooper reel from my Whatever The Weather OOTD! This past year, I have made it my goal to do weekly OOTDs and minus a few misses, I feel like I have been achieving it. I trudged through summer looks even though it’s not my favorite season to style for and now it is officially fall – AKA the best season for fashion ever. Although the weather doesn’t feel fully fall yet, I welcome a crisp morning any day of the week and have been creating outfits for fluctuating temperatures. Whatever The Weather, however, some pictures definitely don’t make the cut… Until they have their day in the sun during the blooper reel! Let’s check it out:

Something STANK

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Don’t mind me doing the potty dance

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Showing off my dazzling smile 🙂

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WERKING that wind in the hair, baby

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My signature, adoring “wtf” face to whatever it was that Johnny was saying ❤

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To pop the foot or not… that is the question

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… The answer is not -_-

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Johnny and I had quite the adventure around TimberTop finding a place to take these stunning pictures. We went to the location seen here first and was greeted by a HUGE pile of dog crap because no one in TTop cleans up after their dogs and it’s so foul. So, we began to walk and ended up on a charming path that we didn’t even know existed. It was a wooded area and offered a view of the charming, dirty creek that runs through the apartment community, appropriately named Mud Creek lol. You can’t make this stuff up!!

This location was much more like it, but the lighting sucked butt so we continued on our quest for another OOTD spot. Then, we found a clearing that I thought might work, but it was a Red Herring. You guessed it – the lighting sucked butt there too! On the bright side, we did meet an adorable puppy named Kody – short for Kodiak – short for Kodiak The Maniac according to his owners. This was a huge plus, but we were still struggling to find a good spot to shoot at.

Finally, we went back the way we came and when we exited the woods it was a total “let there be light” moment. There was perfect lighting shining down on the super cool stone base of one of the apartment buildings. I think it looks so neat! We were derailed by dog poop, poor lighting, and a cute pup (which was a most welcome reprieve!) but we ended our trek victorious. The things I do for this blog! 😀

Whatever The Weather during the fall is thankfully always pretty good for a walk and did we ever for this shoot. Johnny was SO ready to go inside afterwards and so was I!!

What are some of the names of bodies of water in your area? Do any of them top MUD CREEK?! I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun24

Eye Spy In Nature

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Eye Spy In Nature

Hello!! In Ohio, it is currently hot AF and is a drastic change from the cool to moderate temps we experienced last week. That is my preferred style of summer weather, so it made for perfect days to go on hikes with my clients. During our walks, we were seeing wildlife left and right – Oriels, frogs, and turtles too! In total, I saw two Oriels, six turtles, and six frogs and I truly felt like the nature whisperer lol. It was a blast and it felt like a real life version of Eye Spy! Check it out:

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On my first walk of the day, my client and I saw a HUGE turtle in the middle of the path. From far away, it looked like a rock or a bundle of dead leaves. You could have knocked me over with a feather when I realized what it actually was! I was a bit worried about my turtle friend because of how little movement I saw and the fact that the water he was trying to get to was a bit of a trek away. Thankfully, after snapping a few safely distanced pics and walking away, the turtle was back on the move. I guess he just needed a little break. Also, when you see a turtle in the road (or path, in my case) it is said to be good luck and something great happened on Monday so maybe I have the turtle to thank for it! 😀

On my next walk with a different client, we went to a local Metro Park that has lots of ponds and not quite lake size bodies of water. We were determined to find frogs and on the first trip around a pond, I didn’t see jack. Then, I decided to take a closer look and realized the error of my ways. They were all around us, but camouflaged and I just wasn’t looking hard enough! It was so cool to see the frogs hiding in plain sight and they did a great job – if I didn’t inspect further, I definitely wouldn’t have seen them. We also saw five turtles lounging on logs from afar that also did a very nice job of blending into the scenery. It was a hoot. 🙂

Nature walks are always fun, but they’re even better when you can see the local wildlife. I am still delighting over the pictures of my froggy and turtle friends!

What kind of wildlife is in your neck of the woods? What is your favorite summer activity? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr12

Get Fit With These Inexpensive Outdoor Activities

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Get Fit With These Inexpensive Outdoor Activities

Now that the sun is making a comeback, most of us are keen to get back outdoors and enjoy fresh air, nature, and exercise. If you don’t have a huge budget and are considering ways to get fit that allow you to spend more time outdoors then these are some perfect options to consider:

Walking/Running:

What could be cheaper than walking or running? All you really need is supportive footwear but it doesn’t have to be expensive. You could run or walk just for exercise or you could switch car and bus journeys and you’ll actually save money. How about walking to and from work each day? Some people find it easier when they have a destination to get to and others prefer just getting out and about so do what works best for you.

If you have a dog, then even better! Getting out on long walks together can lead you to find new and interesting places in your local area. This is great for all fitness levels since you can choose walking or running routes that are either completely flat or those with hills and inclines. You can walk or run fast or slow, you can walk or run for a short distance or a long one, all depending on your starting fitness.

Cycling:

Cycling is another way you could get around instead of transport or just get out for fun exercise. Buying a bike initially can be expensive but is something that will last pretty much forever if you maintain it properly. Alternatively, you could pick up a used model from a local group for cheap or even free if you’re lucky. Once you have the bike and safety helmet, it’s free to exercise from then onward. Again, you could find some lovely places in your area that you’d never thought to explore before and it’s a fantastic all body workout which is great for toning and cardiovascular fitness.

Soccer:

You might not have kicked a soccer ball around since you were a child, so why not give it a go? You don’t have to be an excellent player by any means, just round up some friends and get outside on a sunny day. You could keep it very simple and just buy a ball. Or, if you want to kick around more regularly, invest in some goalkeeper gloves and goalkeeping tape for the person in goal. A little bit of friendly competition can be a good thing, time goes quickly when you’re having fun and you’ll burn tons of calories running up and down the field!

Basketball:

Basketball is another great team sport which is cheap to do outside as all you need is a basketball. Most towns and cities have basketball courts dotted around so have a look and see if there are any close to you. Even if you don’t have a team of people to play with, you could just shoot hoops instead. This is still a good workout and helps to tone the arms. It will also help you to practice your technique and can improve coordination.

Yoga:

Finally, yoga is a fantastic type of exercise. It can be done anywhere so when the weather warms up it can be really nice to get outside and do it. Find a serene setting like your garden, a beautiful meadow, or the beach. Put down your yoga mat and do some stretches and yoga poses. This can be good for both mental and physical health. Yoga can also be done any time of day, it can be particularly beneficial either in the morning to gently wake yourself up or before bed to help you to wind down.

None of these activities require any special skills, even beginners can try their hand with them at a basic level. You don’t need lots of equipment, a gym membership, or to spend lots of money. You can simply get outdoors, move your body, and have some fun!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Aug13

4 Advantages Of Hiking With Your Dog

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4 Advantages Of Hiking With Your Dog

Hiking does not have to just be a human pursuit; it can be undertaken with a dog too! Why not combine your exercise with theirs? It will be time-saving, your dog will love it, and will save you money on paying to keep them fit in other ways that will keep you inside rather than enjoying the outdoors. So, let us consider the advantages of Hiking with dogs:

Cure for Dog Boredom:

Hiking is a good way to cure dog boredom. If they are not kept occupied, then dogs have been known to develop some rather destructive habits around the home. Owners must keep dogs both physically and mentally stimulated to avoid things being chewed and destroyed. Longer walks, such as hikes, are likely to be the solution that you have been looking for to this problem.

Extra Exercise for Both:

We could all benefit from more exercise than a couple of dog walks a day. Although all exercise is good for us, these are hardly going to keep us at peak fitness levels. So, why not make the walks longer and consider going on a hike with your dog? It will be both stimulating and healthy.

Dogs make excellent hiking or trail partners when it comes to exploring new places, and there are many breeds of dogs that are the perfect choice when it comes to extended exercise. These include Alaskan Malamute, Australian Cattle Dog, Australian Shepherd, Bernese Mountain Dog, German Shorthaired Pointer, Portuguese Water Dog, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Siberian Husky, Vizsla, and the Weimaraner.

Don’t worry if your breed of dog is not on this list because they should still love hiking. You can take them on longer runs to test out their endurance levels, while always being aware that you have to get home again and some breeds are likely to be too heavy to carry!

Boost a Dog’s Enthusiasm for the Outdoors:

Although the majority of dogs will enjoy the outdoors and their walks, there will be dogs that would seem to prefer to stay inside and sleep, even on a nice day. This will require some motivation on your part as most dog owners seek out a dog to take it on walks as much as for the company it provides.

Dogs may fear a walk if they have come across another dog that has been nasty to them or one that they simply do not like. So, if you can take them out in the car to their walk, then this may provide a more enjoyable experience and hopefully wean them back into walking as they did on the streets before they were spooked. Making a walk as enjoyable as possible will boost their enthusiasm. A hiking trail with lots of new sights and scents should do the trick.

Minimal Expense:

It costs nothing to walk and involves minimal expense commuting to a nearby spot to hike. We can rule out the cost of gym membership and, at the same time, exercise ourselves and our dog for virtually nothing in comparison. We might buy some hiking equipment to enhance, protect, and provide for a better hiking experience for us and our dog, but this can be used time and time again. Every time we enjoy hiking together, we can make use of our purchases of hiking accessories.

In terms of the hiking equipment you might need to purchase for your dog, you should consider a harness to provide more comfort and support when you are walking your dog on a lead. A collapsible bowl will be inexpensive yet take up less space in your rucksack. Most importantly, make sure that your dog has an ID tag in case they should stray from you.

Just like us, dogs can get bored! This can be rectified by exploring hiking trails in your area together for a fun new way to exercise.

Jun23

How To Give Your Dog The Healthiest Life

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How To Give Your Dog The Healthiest Life

Our dogs are our family members. They are just as important as anyone else and they need to be taken care of accordingly. There are so many different opinions when it comes to taking care of your pooch, but there are a few universal bits of advice that every dog lover and owner needs to take to heart. Here are four doggy care must-do’s for your pup:

What Are You Feeding Your Dog?

Many commercials will tell us that what we feed our dogs is important. Many foods on the market are made of not-so-healthy materials with “spray on flavoring.” You wouldn’t want to eat that yourself, so why would you give it to your dog? Go to your local pet store or pet supply store and find organic dog foods that list healthy ingredients in their recipes. You can get several great and affordable products that will keep your dog’s immune and digestive system on track and healthy, which will give them a good and long life.

Is Your Dog Anxious?

Many dogs suffer from anxiety. Dog anxiety is very common and there are symptoms to look out for when interacting with your dog. Dog anxiety can be treated by doing something as simple as making sure there is always a quiet place for your dog. You can do something more out of the ordinary like doggy spas or meditations. Whatever works for you and your dog is best, but having an effective solution will help you get your dog feeling better.

Is Your Dog Getting Enough Playtime?

Everyone is busy. That goes without saying, but taking a few moments out of the day to walk and play with your dog is a huge benefit to their life. Interactions allow your dog to feel comfortable around people and will help them socially. Playtime is also the most optimal time for you and your pooch to bond and create friendship and loyalty that will last your dog’s entire life. This is also a great opportunity to train your dog to do tricks, behave, and be calm and affectionate around other people. Your dog will be so happy that you do this for them.

Are You Going to the Dog Park?

A lot of people are weary of the dog park and for good reasons. Your dog could get into a fight or get injured playing. But the benefits of the dog park far outweigh the negatives. This is a great opportunity for your dog to get all the exercise they need to remain strong and within a healthy weight range. The biggest thing the dog park does is allow your dogs to be around other dogs. That’s great for helping them adjust socially and for teaching them how to be respectful of other dogs. When your dog has this experience, they are less likely to go after other dogs when you are on your walks, and they will be more gentle with their furry friends.

Give your four leggeds the best life with the tips above!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Mar25

4 Things Your Dog Needs Beyond Food And Water

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4 Things Your Dog Needs Beyond Food And Water

If you are a proud dog parent, you know how special these furry creatures are. Dogs are integral parts of their families. They bring so much joy, comfort, and companionship. With that in mind, you want to give them the best care possible to make them as happy as they make you – each and every day.

Safe Space:

When your dog spends time outside, it is vital to their well-being to have a safe place for them to sleep. Colorbond Dog Kennels are a quality and effective solution for your dog’s housing needs. These kennels are designed for longevity. The durable construction is raised off the ground to protect pets from fleas, parasites, snakes, roaming wildlife, and other unsecured dogs. Your dog needs to have a safe place to relax too! The kennel will also be their go-to location during the day if they feel tired or are looking for a quiet respite from the activity around your home. It is a place just for them.

Toys:

Yes, your dog really does need toys. However, they do not need to be fancy to be fun and effective. Dog toys do more than clutter up your floor. They keep your dog busy and entertained. Dog toys prevent your furry companion from finding your favorite shoes or even the baseboards and using them to scratch the chewing itch. Dogs are comforted and calmed by the act of chewing on things, and they keep them happy. You can find dog toys at many stores or try your hand at making them yourself for a DIY project.

Here is a fun tutorial on how to make upcycled dog toys from old t-shirts:

Exercise:

Just like people, some dog breeds require more exercise than others. And, just like people, exercise allows dogs to relieve stress through physical activity. When your dog is worn out physically, they are less likely to become destructive and chew or dig due to boredom or pent-up energy that is waiting to be released. As an added benefit, exercise is a chance to bond with your dog and take some time out of your everyday responsibilities for yourself, as well.

Love:

At the end of every day, if you look back at what your canine family member has wanted from you, it is basic needs and, overwhelmingly, it is love. Your dog wants to be with you. They long for a belly rub or scratch behind the ears with a “good boy/girl” thrown in for good measure. They deserve all of the love and in ample amounts!

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So sweet!

Your best friend deserves the best. Beyond caring for their basic needs, give them a safe space with shelter to retreat to and relax. Dogs do not need much; their basic needs are easy to meet. They just want some love, care, and of course – you!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Nov24

Keeping Your Dog Happy, Always

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Keeping Your Dog Happy, Always

If you are a dog owner, you are probably always going to be concerned with ensuring that your pooch is as happy as possible. After all, that is the main aim of looking after them, and it’s something that you should spend your time and energy on if you are going to have a dog at all. But there are a lot of things to consider here, and you need to make sure that you are going to focus on them all if you really want to keep your dog happy. In this article, we are going to discuss just a few of the things to bear in mind, so that you can make sure your dog is the happiest in town:

Show them lots of love:

The most important thing for a dog is that they know you love them. Anyone who has ever had a dog will know that they are very needy when it comes to your love, and you need to make sure that you are showing and expressing this to them as much as possible. If they start to feel that you don’t really care, then that is the biggest way you can possibly upset them, and it can actually lead to some pretty negative consequences on the whole. So do whatever you can to show you love them – cuddle them, kiss them, play with them – and you will be keeping them so much happier for longer.

Give them some freedom:

Dogs still need to feel free to a certain degree and there are a lot of ways to do this. One is to ensure that you take them for their daily walk without fail – which obviously has a range of other benefits for their health, as well. Another is to install a dog door into your sliding glass door so that they are able to come and go into the garden whenever they want to. If you give them freedom in this way, you are going to find that they are much more likely to feel happy with their life, and you will see this in their behavior soon enough.

Keep them healthy:

On top of all of this, you also need to make sure that you are keeping your dog as healthy as possible too. If they are not healthy, then they are not going to feel happy, and you will find that they are much less likely to look as though they are fully enjoying life. This is something that you can always improve, so if you are not feeding them the best food or you know you could walk them more, you should make sure to do that as soon as possible. These changes are likely to make things so much better in the long run, and you will find that you are going to feel like a better pet owner too.

Give your four leggeds the best life possible with the tips above and give them lots of pets for me! 😀

Featured Image By: Pexels

Oct15

It’s A Walk In The Park

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It’s A Walk In The Park

Hello! A super nice thing about October other than all Halloween everything is that Johnny has every Friday off. I, on the other hand, always have Fridays off so it has been really fun having an extra day to spend with him on our weekends. Although we are always okay with staying at home with our video games and streaming services, we decided to have a little field trip this past Friday.

Johnny and I loaded into his mini van and went for a drive through the Cuyahoga Valley. We admired the changing leaves while enjoying the pleasant temperatures of an autumn day, all set to the tunes of Dire Straits which Johnny deemed appropriate driving music. Sadly, he passed on my offer to play some Cardi B but that’s neither here nor there.

Regardless of what our soundtrack was, it was exciting to be doing something with my boyfriend other than sitting in the apartment. He had just gotten his hair done and looked SO fine and driving around and talking and laughing had me falling in love all over again. :*)

We stopped off at one of the hiking trails before heading home and took an excursion around Indigo Lake. We explored train tracks and Johnny proved to be an excellent stone skipper. I proved to be… Anyways, it was a hoot. To be out in the public of nature together was refreshing for both of us because we don’t venture out often now, as safety is our primary concern.

Johnny and I were both kitted out in our fall Sunday’s Best but, as always, it was back in our comfy clothes as soon as we returned home. We settled in for an evening of weird comedies like Tim & Eric’s Bedtime Stories and The Mighty Boosh and it was a great day. ❤

If you’re feeling cooped up from being at home a lot now, don’t discount the benefits of spending some time outdoors. I think you’ll be glad you did. 🙂

How do you safely go out right now? Where is your favorite place to go hiking? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah