Alligator Alley at Circle B Bar Reserve The Holiday Season meant a change in my regular routine. The kids were home from school, still too young to leave at home by themselves. And they certainly were not up to the suggestion "Hey everybody, let's go run for 2 miles!"
So I snuck in exercise without them thinking it was exercise. We walked our dog everyday. We live in a fun place to take a walk - the roads are all sand, so there are animal tracks to spot, and the kids enjoy running and falling on the thick parts. They also make sand angels. We never get snow here.
One day I took them for a drive and stopped at Circle B Bar Reserve in Winter Haven, FL. It's part of the Water Management System, and just a great place for a hike. Those kids tromped 2 miles that day! One kicked his shoes off and got itchy during the first 5 minutes, but after I gave him the job of holding the binoculars he cheered up (and put his shoes back on). The youngest complained her feet hurt and wondered every 100 feet or so (as regularly as a trail marker) "are we almost done?"
But it was beautiful. We walked Shady Oak trail, Alligator Alley, and Heron's Roost. Saw 17 alligators!!
I still got my two miles in, though it was slower. But it was exercise and it felt great.
The Break meant way too many cookies. I certainly had fun and let go, temporarily, the eating boundaries I may set at other times. But fitness is a value to me now and more than a committment. It's my life habit and I get cranky without it. So I found fitness in other forms. Hikes, jumping rope with the kids, walking the dog.
Find a way to move your body whatever you do!!!
Also, congratulations to Sandy, my blog giveaway winner. Thank you, Sandy, for stopping by the shop. Sandy won a jumprope and says she'll use it! Go for it!
