Chapter One: Kate

Chapter Two: Built for More So this week is a new beginning within my new beginning. I'm starting Chapter Two . Chapter One started back in October 2024, and now it’s time to level up. I’m still going to keep walking and hiking, but they won’t be my main workouts anymore. It’s time to add in some strength training. I’ve been hesitant to do this. Walking 3 miles a day is no joke, and I didn’t want to mess with my routine. Plus, I’ve been worried my “all-or-nothing” mentality would kick in and drag me back to old habits. So, I took my time. But now? Now feels right. I decided to start working in strength routines during my lunch breaks. It’s a good time to get the habit going before work picks up again—by June, I’ll be back to a full 60-hour workweek. I won’t lie: this week started rough . My first sets of goblet squats were so much worse than I expected. My muscles wanted to seize up, and I couldn’t even get through all the sets I planned. I recorded that workout, and when I watche...

The Relentless Companion I had an unexpected hiking buddy today. Not a fellow walker or a friendly dog—nope, this was something much smaller, buzzier, and infinitely more irritating. The fly found me somewhere in mile one, hovering around my face like a personal trainer from hell. “Keep moving!”  Zipping past my ear just often enough to keep me from zoning out. I swatted. I ducked. I walked faster. I picked up a stick and whipped it around my head trying to get him to take the hit; I'm pretty sure it even hit him once or twice. Nothing worked. My new friend was persistent. Determined. Possibly a little obsessed. I kept up with my stick and he kept up with me the whole way.  By the time I wrapped up my 3 miles, I half expected to see him waving me off with a tiny towel and a congratulatory buzz. To his credit, he didn’t bite me. And if nothing else, he made the walk a little more interesting.

Got lucky—my back seemed to work itself out by Friday evening. I used heat a lot because it’s comfortable and easy with the heating pad, but I think it was getting the ice on it first thing that really helped. I took Friday off for some rest, which was nice. I wanted to do some yoga, but I procrastinated until it was too late. I was frustrated with myself for that, but honestly? My body probably needed the break. Still, I felt the sting of a wasted day. Less than 3,000 steps. Close to 3,000 calories. Cringe. But Saturday, I got up and went right back to it. I hit the track, worked hard, and it felt like a clean slate. Sometimes, that’s all you need. Just a new day.

I’m starting to think I’m being tested. This is one of those moments where it feels like I’m doing everything wrong—and I’m going to fail anyway. So why bother? I know what triggered it. I was scrolling through social media and saw someone living the dream I’ve always wanted. She just started— days ago —and already has a following, a community, the momentum I’ve been chasing. And I’m over here, shooting for just one like on one post. On top of all that, I pull a muscle in my back. Just adjusting my shirt. Not a big move or some extra hard workout, nope just adjusted my shirt, slightly. Say hello to my late thirties.  It’s all so silly, though. I know I have so much to offer. And I know this dream of mine is worth the work—every bit of it. I’m sad. Frustrated. Overwhelmed. But underneath that, there’s a voice that keeps whispering, You’ve got this. It’ll be so much sweeter in the end. This is my moment—to fight or give up. This time… I choose to fight.

Today's Summary:  A day full of doubts. I started strong(ish). The buzzing alarms woke me up, but I hit snooze a few extra times—it was just so cozy. I had to pull out my “discipline” mantra to get my butt in gear. Luckily, work is still slow, so I could shift my schedule slightly. Only 15 minutes later than usual, but that would’ve thrown everything off on a normal day. Then doubt started creeping in. It showed up at the track. I was walking slower than usual because I was trying to talk-to-text some writing for my novel. But the words just weren’t flowing. It felt off—like I was giving up pace for nothing. Back home, I tried to edit yesterday’s blog post and hated every sentence I wrote. Nothing sounded right. Everything felt flat. It might be the scale too. I know better than to weigh early, but I peeked yesterday and this morning. And while the number isn’t bad, it’s not the drop I hoped for. That’s what I get for snooping on my presents before Christmas—I should just wa...

Today's Summary:       Four different alarms buzzed this morning—none of them successful. I stick with the buzzing so I don't wake my husband, but sometimes it isn't even enough to wake me. Thankfully, work is still light right now, so I was able to hit the trails later in the afternoon.      I had a secondary goal today: get some more talk-to-text writing done. So I left both pups at home to play and set out on a solo mission.      Around the halfway point, I heard a noise behind me and turned to see a jogger catching up. As she drew closer, she called out with a smile, “I’m coming in with a high five!”      We completely missed—even with the heads-up—but it was such a fun, unexpected moment that gave me a boost and put a little extra pep in my step :) Stats -  Workout:  Hike - 3.2 miles Calories: 1 ,659 Water: 108oz Steps: 10,502