ATTACK OF THE 50 FT WOMAN?

I was minding my own business walking along Washington Avenue in Peoria, Illinois when I spotted a highly unusual sight up ahead. Was it the star of the 1958 cult classic movie, Attack of the 50 Ft. Women?

As it turns out, this was not an attack of a 50 foot woman. For one thing, this gal, whose name is Vanna, is 'only' seventeen feet tall according to Roadside America. If I had known that I could see this unusual roadside attraction, I certainly would have headed for it on my hike. How cool that I came across this accidentally? When one walks as much as I do, you are bound to see some unexpected things. I walk, therefore I am (more fit.)

A few views of the Murray M Baker Bridge (Route 74) which connects Peoria to East Peoria

The view from under the bridge.

Living on the Edge (Peoria Lake)

Your Food Diary For:

Monday, October 16, 2017

BREAKFAST	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
Grits	300	66	5	6	930	3
	300	66	5	6	930	3
L U N C H
Subway - Chicken Chopped Salad	220	10	5	36	490	4
	220	10	5	36	490	4
D I N N E R
Panda Express - Shanghai Angus Steak	310	16	19	22	830	11
Panda Express - Mushroom Chicken	170	11	14	12	840	4
Panda Express - Broccoli Beef	150	13	7	9	520	7
Panda Express - Mixed Vegetable	80	16	1	4	540	5
	710	56	41	47	2,730	27
Totals	1,230	132	51	89	4,150	34
Your Daily Goal	5,576	697	186	279	2,300	209
Remaining	4,346	565	135	190	-1,850	175
	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
	*You've earned 3,646 extra calories from exercise today

If every day were like today...   You'd weigh 184 lbs in 5 weeks     

Great News! All I need to do, is keep my caloric intake at about 1200 and walk 19 miles. If I can do this every day for thirty five days, myfitnesspal predicts I will weigh 184 pounds in five weeks. Here's my prediction: I will not be walking 19 miles per day and I will not likely keep my calories at 1200 every day.  I usually struggle to keep my calories under 2000. Still, I did get a kick out of seeing this 'prediction.'

COUCH POTATOES RARELY GET INJURED

My life as a couch potato effectively ended during late December 2014. In the previous years, which I spent as a completely dedicated couch potato, I remained injury-free. After all, it is hard to injure oneself when watching TV and eating a bag of chips. I am sure it is not impossible, but it definitely hard.

At least in the 'old days' one had to actually get up off the couch to change the channel - even that effort has been long erased by the remote control.

Us 'athletes' must deal with injuries from time-to-time. Having successfully navigated past my hernia, two new problems have recently popped up. I have been noticing an increasing pain from time to time to time on the front of my right leg as well as an annoying itchiness on both of my feet. This information was lifted directly from the the mayo clinic website.

The term "shin splints" refers to pain along the shinbone (tibia) — the large bone in the front of your lower leg. Shin splints are common in runners, dancers and military recruits. Medically known as medial tibial stress syndrome, shin splints often occur in athletes who have recently intensified or changed their training routines. The muscles, tendons and bone tissue become overworked by the increased activity. Most cases of shin splints can be treated with rest, ice and other self-care measures. Wearing proper footwear and modifying your exercise routine can help prevent shin splints from recurring .In most cases, you can treat shin splints with simple self-care steps:

• Rest. Avoid activities that cause pain, swelling or discomfort — but don't give up all physical activity. While you're healing, try low-impact exercises, such as swimming, bicycling or water running.
• Ice the affected area. Apply ice packs to the affected shin for 15 to 20 minutes at a time, four to eight times a day for several days. To protect your skin, wrap the ice packs in a thin towel.
• Take an over-the-counter pain reliever. Try ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), naproxen sodium (Aleve) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) to reduce pain.

Resume your usual activities gradually. If your shin isn't completely healed, returning to your usual activities may cause continued pain.

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Athlete's Foot (tinea pedis) is a fungal infection that usually begins between the toes. It occurs most commonly in people whose feet have become very sweaty while confined within tight-fitting shoes. Signs and symptoms of athlete's foot include a scaly rash that usually causes itching, stinging and burning. Athlete's foot is contagious and can be spread via contaminated floors, towels or clothing. Athlete's foot is closely related to other fungal infections such as ringworm and jock itch. It can be treated with over-the-counter antifungal medications, but the infection often recurs. Prescription medications also are available. Athlete's foot usually causes a scaly red rash that typically begins in between the toes. Itching is often the worst right after you take off your shoes and socks. Some types of athlete's foot feature blisters or ulcers. The moccasin variety of athlete's feet causes chronic dryness and scaling on the soles that extends up the sides of the feet. It can be mistaken for eczema or even as dry skin. The infection can affect one or both feet and can spread to your hand — especially if you scratch or pick at the infected parts of your feet.

When to see a doctor

If you have a rash on your foot that doesn't improve within a few weeks after self-treatment, see your doctor. Seek medical advice sooner if you have diabetes and suspect you have athlete's foot or if you notice excessive redness, swelling, drainage or fever.

Couch potatoes never have these issues. However, I prefer to  keep active and deal with these things as they pop up because the alternative is now completely unacceptable. 

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morning session

late afternoon session. The 'low impact' elliptical machine puts virtually no pressure on shin splints.  In my way of thinking, a day spent on the elliptical machine is equivalent to a day or rest as far as shin splints are concerned.

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Your Food Diary For:

Saturday, June 25, 2016

BREAKFAST	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
Chiliquiles	200	21	3	5	343	7
Bacon, 3 slice	300	0	24	21	1,050	0
Cheddar Biscuit, 1 biscuit	180	0	9	0	0	0
Mushroom Gravy	100	14	0	6	385	3
	780	35	36	32	1,778	10
L U N C H
Homemade - Enchilladas	500	54	12	45	1,199	0
Oreo - Thins, 8 cookies	280	42	12	2	190	22
	780	96	24	47	1,389	22
D I N N E R
Sandwich Artisan Ham and Swiss	980	114	28	72	3,360	8
	980	114	28	72	3,360	8
Totals	2,540	245	88	150	6,527	40
Your Daily Goal	6,165	770	205	309	2,300	231
Remaining	3,625	525	117	158	-4,227	190
	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
	*You've earned 4,235 extra calories from exercise today

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       Your Exercise Diary for:

Saturday, June 25, 2016

Cardiovascular	Minutes	Calories Burned
Walking	78	1,213
STAR TRAC ELLIPTICAL	99	1,229
STAR TRAC ELLIPTICAL	99	1,102
Walking	102	907
MFP iOS calorie adjustment	N/A	-216
Daily Total / Goal	379 / 30	4,235 / 590
Weekly Total / Goal	1092 / 210	11,372 / 4,130

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My companion for a late evening walk downtown, where we were hunting for a small treasure at Target, something called My Mini MixieQ's™

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HIGHBANKS METRO PARK

Yesterday afternoon I used my AllTrails application to find somewhere to hike in Columbus, Ohio. My AllTrails advised me that Highbanks Metro Park was within 10 miles of my late afternoon appointment.

Highbanks is named for its massive 100-foot-high shale bluff towering over the Olentangy State Scenic River. Tributary streams cutting across the bluff have created a number of deep ravines in the eastern part of the 1,159-acre park. Ohio and Olentangy shales, often containing outstanding large concretions, are exposed on the bluff face and sides of the ravines.

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OVERLOOK DECK.  On the bluff, about 100 feet above the banks of the Olentangy River.

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WETLANDS VIEWING DECK

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THE WETLANDS

Your Food Diary For:

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

BREAKFAST	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
Enriched instant grits, butter flavor	300	63	5	6	1,020	0
Kelloggs - Raisin Bran Cereal	380	92	2	10	420	36
	680	155	7	16	1,440	36
L U N C H
HUGE SPINACH SALAD	750	0	0	0	0	0
Kind Dark Chocolate Cherry Cashew	360	44	18	8	40	28
	1,110	44	18	8	40	28
D I N N E R
Sushi - Volcano Roll (6 Pieces)	350	62	6	27	735	4
California. Roll - California Roll	255	38	7	9	0	0
Cinammon Almonds	200	17	13	7	16	13
DARK COCOA MELTING WAFERS	245	27	14	3	50	23
	1,050	144	40	46	801	40
S N A C K S
Whole Foods 365 - Whole Cashews	160	9	12	5	0	2
	160	9	12	5	0	2
Totals	3,000	352	77	75	2,281	106
Your Daily Goal	4,932	616	164	247	2,300	185
Remaining	1,932	264	87	171	19	78
	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
	*You've earned 3,002 extra calories from exercise today

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       Your Exercise Diary for:

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Cardiovascular	Minutes	Calories Burned
Walking	175	1,778
Daily Total / Goal	175 / 30	1,778 / 590
Weekly Total / Goal	363 / 210	3,497 / 4,130

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Weather conditions when I set out for my 11 mile hike were ideal as it was a reasonable 75°

WHY DID THE TURKEYS CROSS THE ROAD? 
(to get to the other side,  just like chickens!)