Rock Climbing

              Recently I went rock climbing with a friend at Boulderdash in Thousand Oaks. I had loved going here when I was younger, but it had been a long time since I had been there. I went once with my family since my set back, but it still had probably been a year. We didn’t make an appointment for someone to belay us on the bigger walls, so we did an hour free climb. I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to free climb with limited leg range and flexibility. To my surprise, I did an hour climb with no problems. I only did what I could do and made it to the top of a few different courses. I rediscovered a forgotten love. I don’t know how anyone could free climb for more than an hour. After 30 minutes my arms were killing me, shoulders were sore, and hands had blisters. Knowing I can do this, I definitely am going back and doing more of the courses with a belay guide. It is a great workout you feel the next day. It works out all parts of your body; core, legs, shoulders, and arms. This is a sport I would keep up with because it is something that is independent. The only competition is between yourself. Beating your last time, making it higher than before, and finding a new route to make it to the top. Rock climbing comes with many benefits for your body and brain.         It builds endurance, is good for improving coordination through intricate footwork, and develops lean muscle mass. Not only being a beneficial and fun cardio exercise, it is a brain function booster. The sport entails problem-solving skills. Where is the best hold to place your foot, before shifting your body weight, which notch is closest to grab, and so much more.  I don’t think I’ll ever take this sport outdoors, but it is a fun way to work out your body and relieve stress in a nontraditional setting. Hopefully, everyone goes to a rock climbing gym at least once in there life. 

(This isn’t a great picture, and I don’t have any of me climbing with my friend Katie, but the next time we go I’ll get some) 

Idaho Trip

I recently went on a trip to Idaho to meet my Nana’s older brother John, in Idaho Falls. My Nana is 80 and her brother is around 87. As long as I’ve been alive I’ve never met him or really heard about him, even though I’ve been to Idaho before. Since they recently reconnected, so we flew out to meet his whole family! It was a trip of fun and healing! We flew into Utah and from there drove all around Idaho. We went to hot springs, museums, gun ranges, ate great food, and did lots of sightseeing. For all the walking and activities we did my legs felt pretty good. I was afraid that not going to the gym would set me back, but turns out moving all day every day for 2 weeks makes a good gym. Here are all the fun things we did in Idaho if anyone’s ever interested in going.





The falls in Idaho Falls



Soda Spring Gyser


Soda Water at Hooper Spring

Soda Spring and Hooper Spring. The top picture is a man-made geyser. The bottom picture, Hopper Spring, produces natural soda water. Tons of people come to fill up water bottles or large plastic jugs with the natural soda water, then flavoring it with kool-aid or some other flavoring (My family used stevia or drank it plain). The water has important minerals like magnesium, iron, calcium, potassium, and so much more to benefit your body.
After some soda water, we went to Heise Hot Springs and Lava Hot Springs, which were probably my favorite parts of the trip! They had so many different naturally temperature Hot Pools. The water had magnesium that relaxed my legs and loosened my body. It was just what I needed and made the walking we did so much easier. The top two pictures are from Heise Hot Springs and the bottom three are from Lava Hot Springs.

On a day when we didn't have too much going on, we went to Sun Valley in Ketchum Idaho. In the summer they turn a ski resort, and the ski lift into a beautiful place where you can take a fun ride on the ski lift up to a nice restaurant! My Mom and Nana didn’t want to take the trip in the ski lift, so I went with my brother and dad. It was such a fun way to get a view of the mountains.








A few pictures of when we went to the Birds of Prey museum, played dress up at the Steam Punk museum, and went to what felt like every Natural Grocers we passed. Natural Grocers was the coolest grocery store where we could eat almost anything our hearts desired (I found an avocado-based ice cream that I've been looking for in California). We took advantage of the scenery on a lazy afternoon having a picnic by a stream, making me wish I could do it every day.

 

We hiked up a mountain that I can't remember the name of but it had lava rock all over it, which was really cool. Lastly, we went to a gun range, saw more family and friends, making our way back to Utah to get on the plane back home.

I had so much fun in Idaho, and think that being away from my fast-paced California lifestyle was needed to heal and get stronger. I got to try new things, including getting a fruity drink at a Sonic, and meet new family. I can't wait to go back to Idaho to see them again, and go berry picking in my Great Uncle John's backyard. 

 

Health Update

Summer is finally here!!! I’m going to hit you with a health update. I finished some classes at Moorpark College, which took up all my time in addition to working, causing my absence from posting. Once I finished classes my mom and I decided to start a summer health care schedule. This consists of going to my doctor and getting IVs of vitamin C, in-home peptide shots twice a day, and occasional hyperbaric appointments. With these IVs, the hope is that it with help kill free radicals in my body, ease muscle spasticity, and heal my brain. The peptides are for pain in my legs and to help them relax/ repair the body. Hopefully, with this new routine, I will start to see changes and break away from walking with a cane. This would allow me to feel more confident and do more socially.       I continue to see my trainer twice a week; which has involved some hiking when it is nice enough and strength training. When I get a chance, I will post exercises for a healthy summer body. Diet is one way to stay healthy and achieve goals. My mom and I have started a high-fat /low carb meal plan with intermittent fasting. This can help heal the brain and rebuild pathways by giving the body time to focus on healing by using the healthy fats. It comes with the side effect of weight loss! Best side effect ever!! In the meantime, a great way to stay fit is through simple exercises such as walking and stretching. Since its summer now the weather is usually nice enough to walk or go swimming. I'll end with a quote I love from Millicent Poole, in her book What are you Really Running From? She says that “Our greatest pains can birth our greatest miracles.”  I couldn’t agree with this more and it reminds me, and hopefully others, to keep going no matter how hard it seems.

Hiking

     Over Thanksgiving break, back in November, I went on a hike in Wildwood with my trainer. This was a great way to start off my upcoming New Year’s Resolutions to walk more, and it being the day before Thanksgiving make room for the all the eating I was about to do. Hiking is one of the best cardio exercises, and a great way to help me improve my balance with the uneven terrain.  Hiking is not only good for your body and heart, but also the mind. Getting out in nature helps to clear your mind and boost your mood. It was a sunny day, with blue skies, and fresh air making it a perfect day for a hike. Going outside to exercise is a great stress reducer and way to improve blood pressure and sugar levels. We started easy with small hills, but even a small hill will get your heart rate up and help burn extra calories.     The uneven terrain helped me to improve my balance and work my muscles. Walking is a weight-bearing exercise that will improve bone density, and build strength in weak hips, like mine. We only hiked for maybe an hour and didn’t even do the whole trail, but it was a good starting point and only makes me want to try to get further next time. To take your hike to the next level, challenge yourself by walking while holding weights, or weigh your backpack down with water bottles. Before you go hiking tips to remember are to always hike with a partner to help you navigate the trails. You never want to be in a situation where you get lost or end up getting hurt and there is no one to assist you. You should familiarize yourself with the trail map and always stay on the path. Lastly, before you leave you may want to check the weather to dress accordingly and be sure to wear comfortable shoes that support you.    Hopefully this helps and you try out one of your local trails. Be sure to bring lots of water, sunscreen, and a hat or sunglasses. Grab a buddy and get out doors this week.
https://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/features/hiking-body-mind