It’s starting to look like spring around here and believe me, it is a much-welcomed change! Winter is great for staying indoors, knitting lots and all things cozy, but I have a hard time dealing with fewer hours of light in my days.

My biggest complaint is that it’s too dark to go on a walk with my dog before going to work. And later after work, it’s also too dark. Yes, I know, I could use a flashlight or borrow Patrick’s headlamp, which he uses to go fishing in the wee hours of the morning on weekends – but it’s tough to go out there when it’s dark. So, every winter, I tend to not exercise enough and inevitably end up gaining a few pounds. It doesn’t help that I love food and that my appetite seems to quadruple during this time of the year, either! (Kudos to my friends that are on diets now. Whole 30? No way! I could never do that.)

There’s a lady that must be about my age that jogs with her big black poodle almost every morning. Well, I cannot confirm that she is out there every morning, but I see her every time I am out walking. I’ve wondered if she jogs every single day or if it’s just coincidence that we go out at the same time on the same days. It must be hard on her joints to do that. I know I need a break after I go on a jog. (Everything hurts!) Anyway, she motivates me to try. If she’s out there every day, then I can do it too — I think! ;-).

But, I have good news! (For me at least.) I am happy to report that this week – with January finally out of the way – I’ve managed to get back to my morning walking routine, which I hope to turn into a jogging routine in the near future.

Last year, when it seemed like everyone had gotten a Fitbit for Christmas, I started counting my steps on my phone and tried to get to 10,000 daily. This is not as easy as it may sound. I was motivated because after our Paris trip I had managed to suddenly fit into my old clothes just by walking an average of 10,000 steps each day for about 10 days.

I’ve discovered, though, that it is hard to achieve my 10,000 step goal when I’m not on vacation. So rather than be down on myself everyday, I’ve set a new goal of 8,000 steps/day. That equals to about 6km, and I have figured out a way to get it done.

First, I walk with Estelle around the neighborhood for 30-45 minutes in the morning. I actually love this because I get to listen to different podcasts. Some of my favorites these days are The Daily, NPR Ted Talks, Knitter Views, Hidden Brain and Språk P1.

Then, I walk to the supermarket at lunchtime to grab something to eat. That is about 50% of the total steps I need in one day.

And last, if I still need more steps, I go out again with Estelle on a shorter walk after dinner. And that’s it! You can walk 3.75 miles in a day, every day, if you just put your mind to it. I’m on day 2.

Anyway, enough about walking and winter. Today was a great day. I got an autographed copy of Isabel Allende’s new book: “A long Petal of the Sea.” I was supposed to go to her talk on Monday, (I’d won the employee lottery ticket.) but Nick was sick and I didn’t make it. I’m really sorry to have missed it, as I heard it was a great event, but luckily for me and for many others, the Institute for Leadership Studies at the university records all the speaker series on YouTube. My friend who directs the program had a few extra copies of the book and surprised us with a signed copy this morning. It felt like Christmas.🎄:-)

And speaking of books, I am way behind on my reading for my book club. Our book selection is Educated by Tara Westover and our meeting is coming up! So I’d better try to read a few chapters before bed. Bye!