30% to $195! (hiking all stars cont.)

So we're now $58 in to our $195 spend on the California State Parks Annual Pass.  Mind you, this is $58 in 11 days!!!  Something tells me we're going to FAR exceed our $195 into the pass (and have many awesome stories along the way).

Added parks to gush about:

Topanga State Park (http://www.nps.gov/samo/planyourvisit/topanga.htm):

Topanga is beautiful.  Actually, that's an understatement.  The miles of views looking toward the ocean are breathtaking and the terrain is that of a hike in Arizona.  The paths are paved just enough to make you feel comfortable - but not make you feel like a weakling. There were definitely times we were "off roading" on some unpaved paths and even came across a section where there was a mountain lion trap (we're so badass).  It was the first time on one of these hikes my heart skipped a beat a bit.  It was 4:15 PM and we were 1,000 feet down - in which we trail ran to get there.  We had a long ways to go and the sun was looking to disappear, so we hiked it!  1,000 feet up to be exact.  Over a mile and 1/3 straight up.  We were sweaty and defeated, as we saw no waterfall but felt SO good about the work out we got, the photos we took and the awesome time we had together.

 Lots of cool photos to be taken!

 Gorgeous views for miles and miles...

 LOTS OF INCLINE!!

Not so amateur any more!

Crystal Cove State Park (http://www.crystalcovestatepark.com/):

How lucky am I?  I return from a hair appointment early in the am on Saturday to a pre-planned state park jaunt w my SPPIC (state park partner in crime) for a lovely Saturday afternoon.  Now we've hit El Moro many times (the upper canyon a bit farther south from Crystal Cove) but never hit the lower trails by the beach.  Ian really knew how much I wanted to get my "steps in" because with all this state parkin'...I'm on a 9 day streak at this point (and now, writing this - up to an 11!)  The lower trails were very nice, flat and really good for a recovery day - meaning a day in which you finish Topanga State Park less than 24 hours prior and your booty needs a bit of a break.  The trails are DOG FRIENDLY because they're paved and you can use the stairs down to the beach very easily.  There are beautiful tide pools to climb over, awesome places to take photos and had we had a packed lunch - we could have found great places to hang out and just enjoy the scenery.  We saw a California seal pretty close up on a rock right next to us which was very cool.  The entire trail from parking to end, down to the beach and back up was about 2.5 miles.  A shorter one than we're used to but one of my favorites so far for it's simplicity and ease.

 Crystal Cove'in it

 Ian is such a natural behind the lens :)

 Can you see the seal in the distance?

 Again, what an eye...

Tidepools!  So cool even though I fell in one haha

TOTAL $ TO THE PASS SO FAR: $58!!

Feeling so good leading into the NEW YEAR!

Hiking all stars!

So, 2015 is stacked up to be a great year.  With the annual pass to all the California State Parks Ian got me for my birthday, we're on a mission.  Not only on a mission to get the $195 worth of parking, but on a mission to see and experience new and interesting things in nature via the CSP's!  This weekend was the start of what I imagine is a whole bunch of nature hikes and new steps we'll be getting in during the new year!

Torrey Pines State National Reserve (http://www.torreypine.org/):

What a beaut!  Lots of little inter-winding trails which lead you everywhere, down to the ocean and large cliffs.  There are some stairs, some hidden tree tunnels and lots of ways to go from trail to trail, which is unique as this isn't always the case with state park trails.  The views of the ocean were expansive and vast.  They seemed to go on for days.  I could have just sat and watched the ocean forever. Definitely will be returning to Torrey Pines again this up coming year.

Palomar Mountain State Park (http://www.palomarsp.org/):

So after a day at Torrey Pines, needless to say - we were ready for a cocktail...and another, and another.  Downtown San Diego is just too fun! So little sleep and a bit of a headache made me just want to eat a big brunch and go shopping but my counterpart was my main motivation (awesome!) to get some more steps in at another state park.  Since we were down in San Diego, we decided to check out Palomar Mountain.  SUPER AWESOME and super cold!  haha  We went all the way to the top via the paved road and parked in the state parking lot (bam, another $15 credited to our 'bank' and deducted from our pass money), and set foot on the trail.  I had two jackets on but when I embarked on the Boucher Lookout trail (which was inclined pretty nicely) I got down to a tank top - even though it was 44 degrees.  The views were expansive, the highest I've been in Southern California.  The sun was gleaming on the ocean far in the distance, it was dubbed "God's Golden Shores" in our mind and made us realize that this indeed was heaven on earth.  We saw deer and birds and descended down the mountain via the Nate Harrison Road (which only EXTREME utility vehicles can go down - as they put it).  Good thing we had the Tacoma!  It was one of the more amazing things I've done in a long time.  Sun was setting at the perfect moment, hangover gone as I had hiked it out on the trail and the second state park had wow'd us beyond expectation.  Bring on 2015!

TOTAL $ TOWARD OUR YEARLY PASS = $28!  WOO HOO!

Will the 21 Day Fix really fix!?

Well I did it - I succumbed to a program and committed myself to portion control.  I mean, it's summer after all and August and September are going to rock with my hot body soooo there's motivation!  While in Phoenix I learned that a new friend, Nikki Boyle (or Nikki Coco as described by the crew) is involved with Beachbody and runs Nikki Boyle Fitness (https://www.facebook.com/bbcoachnikkiboyle).  Knowing for the last month or two that I've been needing to kick the nutrition in high gear, I reached out to her.  She found a program that would work best for me and I signed up and committed.  One of the cooler parts is the closed Facebook group of people doing exactly what you're doing...and a place you can look to for help / motivation / assistance...etc.  It's always more helpful when I have a place to post - oh wait....maybe that's why I like this blog? :)

21 Day Fix - What's the big idea?

With 21 Day Fix there is no counting, guessing, wondering about what to eat rather a (pretty) easy to follow system with color coded Tupperware (although I like to think of it as measuring cups) where depending on your size and body you get a certain amount of colored Tupperware throughout the day to fulfill your full day of eats.  The hardest thing to understand for me was that one meal could be made up of multiple Tupperware.  For instance, one salad could contain (one red - protein, one green - veggies and a blue - avocado...etc.)  Getting all of this in order took a bit of practice, but I think I have it down to a science on my chalk board wall in my kitchen.  Eventually this chalk board wall is going to be filled with days and tally marks!!

Another aspect of the Beachbody program is their infamous "Shakeology" shake.  Now I've never been one for shakes (unless it's a small protein shake to help fulfill the tummy from grumbling around 3:00 PM).  Also - if I have a shake it most definitely has 4g or less carbs; however, I have been satisfied with the Strawberry Shakeology so far.  It's a bit higher in nutritional content then I would like (tallying in at 17g carbs per scoop). This is a bit high for me as I aim to have around 30 a day but the vitamins and good carbs so I'll roll with it.  To be honest, the shake - in the morning - keeps me feeling full all day.  If I have to sacrifice 13g carbs for that, I'm game.  It's really satisfying and I think I came up with the best recipe (although, I've only tried 2... haha)

1 Scoop Strawberry Shakeology
2 stalks KALE
ice
coconut (unsweetened flakes)
almond milk

*This shake recipe I tally off one green container, one red container, and one blue container...not sure where to put the coconut in yet but I usually don't have 2 purple containers (fruit) like, ever...so I'm going to consider the small tablespoon of unsweetened coconut in with my purple category.

I easily feel more content after a protein shake than a couple eggs in the morning and can get through the day without that pit in my stomach hungry feeling.  I'm interested to see what 30 days of shakes will make me feel.

After 3 solid days of proportioned eating, I already SEE and feel a difference.  18 days to go and you'll get to see the results too!

In addition to the shakes and meal planning - there is the work out portion.  The first two days got compromised because my disk was messed up but then I realized it was just disk two and I did a couple make up days.  The work outs are 30 minutes which is do-able for anyone (with or without time) and require either small weights or resistance bands.  I am trying to keep up with the work outs but quite honestly, I work out like three times a day....what's the harm in adding another? :)

So yea, meal planning and portion control, a shake that makes you feel full for like 1/2 the day and 30 minute work outs....it's all bound to provide some results!

They say 3 weeks is the length of time that can make anything a habit.  21 days....3 weeks....no. big. deal....right? 

Hey! Take a HIKE!

If you know me you know that I'm usually walking, moving or hiking....

I've determined that most places you travel to (with exception of North Dakota or another super flat state) have great hiking locations.  As a universal work out - you're able to hike while in another state/area and still get the same long fat burning work you would at home in Laguna (my normal Saturday routine).  Well, taking in the sites on AZ's Camelback Mountain last weekend was awesome!  Don't get me wrong, it was hotter than hell - howevvvver, it wasn't too bad the the sites above the mountain were worth the 99 degree dry heat.  The desert landscape blew my socks off, the actual uphill rock climbing hike was refreshing and being that close to HUGE cactus and succulents was really cool. 

Hiking for your health - the benefits to a fresh air up hill stroll:

- Lowers your risk of heart disease
- Improves your blood pressure and blood sugar levels
- Boosts bone density since walking is weight bearing
- Builds strengths in your glutes, quads, hamstrings and your hop/lower leg muscles
- Strengthens your core
- Improves balance
- Helps control weight
- Boosts your MOOD! (relieves stress and anxiety)
- Reduced depression and better quality sleep

All in all, hiking exercises almost every part of your body: legs, knees, ankles, arms, hips and butt, abdominals, shoulders and neck. It's a great long fat burning exercise that keeps your heart rate consistently in the fat burning zone.  It's a great way to get out of the city and explore.

AZ HIKING IMAGES:

SO CAL HIKING IMAGES:

 

Now - GO OUTSIDE AND TAKE A HIKE!