Stepping into snow
Yesterday was the first snowfall in the city. The day also brought another gift: my friend Connie gave me a Fitbit! My goal is 10,000 steps a day, which is paltry compared to the avid walker Connie, who logs multiples of that—but it's a start. She sent me a Flex, the wristband model, in swimming-pool aqua.
Overcome with enthusiasm, I headed out, malgré les temps.
Special of the Day: wet snow, with seconds on the house!
The waiter asked, "Are you taking photos for your girlfriends?" Yes!
I had to watch every step!
Few cyclists braved the streets; more than one walked a bike:
Ah, the glee of the first snowball fight!
The walk lifted my spirits, as walks will. I was charmed by this window display: a tutu of evergreen-and-gold boughs, a bodice of sheet music. This is the window of the local boutique, Fripe Fabrique; what an eye for design!
WIW note: That's a Golightly Cashmere watch cap on my head, and I can't think of a more practical luxury for frigid climes. (Golightly also make a feather-weight watch cap, as well as other styles, and the hats are available in a range of sizes.)
The colours are magnificent, the weight substantial, and the watch cap model is deep enough to pull down over your delicate ear lobes. It was a stretch to buy it some years ago, but it's been worth every penny.
A reader sent a note to say how happy she was with hers, so I wanted to be sure, as the temperature drops, to mention it again.
I've signed on for "the magic of 10,000 steps", just in time for holiday goodies and the seductive sloth-induction of our long, dark winters. When I came home, a a chirpy Fitbit shoutout and a badge were waiting! Ho, it knows what I'm doing. (You can control just how much it knows, somewhat.)
So is the little sensor naughty or nice? If I can maintain my goal weight over the winter, I'll be a convert—maybe even as devoted as Connie, or David Sedaris, who wrote a very funny piece about his obsession here.
If there are FitBitters reading, please say hey. How are you doing?
Overcome with enthusiasm, I headed out, malgré les temps.
Special of the Day: wet snow, with seconds on the house!
The waiter asked, "Are you taking photos for your girlfriends?" Yes!
I had to watch every step!
Few cyclists braved the streets; more than one walked a bike:
Ah, the glee of the first snowball fight!
The walk lifted my spirits, as walks will. I was charmed by this window display: a tutu of evergreen-and-gold boughs, a bodice of sheet music. This is the window of the local boutique, Fripe Fabrique; what an eye for design!
WIW note: That's a Golightly Cashmere watch cap on my head, and I can't think of a more practical luxury for frigid climes. (Golightly also make a feather-weight watch cap, as well as other styles, and the hats are available in a range of sizes.) The colours are magnificent, the weight substantial, and the watch cap model is deep enough to pull down over your delicate ear lobes. It was a stretch to buy it some years ago, but it's been worth every penny.
A reader sent a note to say how happy she was with hers, so I wanted to be sure, as the temperature drops, to mention it again.
I've signed on for "the magic of 10,000 steps", just in time for holiday goodies and the seductive sloth-induction of our long, dark winters. When I came home, a a chirpy Fitbit shoutout and a badge were waiting! Ho, it knows what I'm doing. (You can control just how much it knows, somewhat.)
So is the little sensor naughty or nice? If I can maintain my goal weight over the winter, I'll be a convert—maybe even as devoted as Connie, or David Sedaris, who wrote a very funny piece about his obsession here.
If there are FitBitters reading, please say hey. How are you doing?
Comments
Someday, I want to go walking in the snow with you; I think you enjoy it as much as I do.
Are you a good walker on ice? I see many people just stride along whereas I tend to be very cautious,...fear of falling!
A friend gave me a fitbit too! I need to start using it! Thank you for the motivational post!
Love your photos!
Much as I do NOT like winter, since it greatly reduces my mobility from cycling to slow-walking speed, I do walk outdoors every day, for an hour at least unless I have a huge rush of work (it is rare that I can't take a walk break). The problem is the one Laura mentioned: I'm terrified of slipping on ice (and it is very icy today) which limits the aerobic benefits of a stroll. Yes, I do own cleats, but one doesn't stride as well in them as in normal shoes or boots.
This foretaste should melt by the weekend though...
I like that cashmere hat and can imagine how toasty it would keep you in the snow...walking in the snow here is usually treacherous as we have ice under the snow and very little snow removal equipment and many people do not shovel the sidewalks so it is like a broken bone waiting to happen when we gingerly venture out. So I'll need to cut back on my intake and do some weight training when it snows here.
une femme: It has a way of nudging you toward a goal.
Laura H" I'm OK on ice as long as I watch every step ;)
Susan: Oh, he was a flirt!
Swissy: A delightful ritual, morning is a beautiful time and the movement benefits seem to last all day.
frugal: Yes, but may I say, we chose to live here, and made certain trade-offs; luck did play a part in us finding a great apt.
LPC: Aww, too bad; I have one too, and use it when it's not so cold. In fact the whole family wears them.
lagatta: Yes, treacherously icy today. I see Pajar have come out with special boots for ice; I might check them out.
hostess: I also walk on a treadmill at a gym- it is the ice that deters me from outdoor walks more than the cold.
materfamilias: Walking in a blizzard is SUCH fun! And usually not that cold. When it's really cold, it is too cold to form snow.
Jill Ann: We can motivate each other! If you wish, e-mail me and we can Friend on FitBit.
Sometimes there's too much build up of ice to walk safely outdoors.
OK now will admit I named my fitbit for you. Thank you SO much!
Hummingbird, there are special exercise groups for people with osteoporosis. Some Ys and other community fitness centres hold them.
were a lifesaver.
Now I live in a much warmer climate, but do remember my outdoor winter workouts with pleasure. I loathe the treadmill.
Happy walking!
Sharon
MJ: One of the posters on a fitbit site wrote, "We still chase each other around the house, but the reason has changed".
Sharon: Snow crampons are big sellers here. You can also buy them at Costco and some hardware stores-varying levels of quality. Like snow tires for your feet!
Sounds like you are running on the beach now.
http://www.eric-bompard.com/lang-en/hats/1129-classic-hat.html
That's the one I use when temps are above freezing.
I'm struggling mightily at the moment with trying to fit any movement at all into some days. A combination of lots of travel and long commutes for work and it getting dark, cold and wet. I don't know what I'm going to do about this, 'cos I can't just veg out 'till Spring.
Bit of respite right now with everything melting, so I could go for a good bicycle ride. Feels so good!