I said I wanted to accomplish just a minimum of 20 minutes exercise a day. Well… done and done.
Yesterday we took a ferry ride over to Waiheke Island. The ride itself was quite nice, as there is plenty to look at leaving Auckland and heading toward the island.
Once we got to the island we had to decide what to do and our choices were between sea kayaking, riding a scooter, or riding bikes around the island. We chose the bikes because it would be fun and exercise.
It was a lot of exercise as the island is pretty hilly, so we were going up a pretty steep hill ever five minutes or so. I guess I made it harder on myself by keeping it in a higher gear sometimes, but that’s how it went. My legs didn’t really appreciate all the work they had to do after getting to be so lazy lately, so they weren’t happy after like half an hour.
We biked over to this beach and took a little water break underneath a tree.
In the end we cut across the traditional loop they had for bike riders. I did this around the point where I realized I didn’t want to make it the whole way because my legs hurt, I had a weird pressure that was majorly uncomfortable in my knee at some points, and I was getting sunburned (despite wearing lots of sunblock). I had to hop off my bike and push it up hills a couple times. It felt a lot like giving up by not doing the whole loop and I felt bad about it but at the same time I knew I would have just been miserable forcing myself to do the whole thing… and the day was supposed to be about having fun, not killing myself.
Since we cut it short it turned out to be a fun time. I did end up with a decent sunburn and super tired muscles, but all in all the next day I feel fine. I’m glad we did it! And next time? Next time we will do more and I won’t be so tired/unprepared.
And if you would like to see the food I ate that day, check out my new food blog. I’m not sure exactly what or how long this project will last. I’ve tweeted pictures of my food before and I’ve even taken pics of everything while I was at Green Mountain. I enjoy the process and it’s a lot easier for me than journaling/tracking what I eat. I know that is something that tends to make people more successful with weight loss. Awareness of what you are eating is huge, so this is my best way to do it. I like taking pictures, and I like blogging… all other attempts at writing down my food have failed. Just the simple act of logging food makes me feel like I’m on a diet and deprived, even if I’m eating anything I want. So, instead I have to do something more creative like photos, that makes me feel like it’s something I want to do instead of a chore.
Since I enjoy taking pictures of my food and know that in the end will make me more accountable for what I’m eating, but don’t want to post them here every day as I felt bad for “making people hungry,” instead, I’m keeping them on the site, just in a different place. If you want to see them, then check out the link. I’ll put a permanent link up in the sidebar soon.












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Wow, those are some amazing pictures of Auckland!
AndrewENZ´s last blog ..Running for the joy of it
The scenery is absolutely beautiful. If you have to exercise, Waiheke Island is definitely a nice area to get it done.
I’ve had to walk my bike up quite few hills too…
‘Drea´s last blog ..The ‘Drea Slayer
Looks so beautiful and fun!
Lisa´s last blog ..Drugs anyone?
What a beautiful place! I’m jealous! That bike ride looks like so much fun!
Alissa´s last blog ..Weigh In Day
I’m glad you ended up having fun :) The Esplanade was pretty awesome, huh? And while going up the hills sucked, coming down them was super fun, right?
I love you :)
The Esplanade was awesome! And going down the hills almost made up for having to work up them. Haha. I love going fast!
<3
You’re an amazing photographer! These are beautiful.
Rachel´s last blog ..swiss chard & mushroom quesadilla
What a cool old fashioned ship! Its just so beautifully blue over there! Lol don’t feel bad for making me hungry at least. You do, but I still like looking at the photos anyway. I think just being bored at work makes me hungry anyways.
merri´s last blog ..Cubicles – killing souls a little at a time
Being bored definitely makes me hungry. So if I’m going to be hungry I might as well look at yummy food photos to get good ideas for eating, right?
The picture of the beach with the water and clouds behind is just ahhhmayyyzing!
Erin´s last blog ..Free the Wookiees!
Don’t stress about not finishing the bike ride, no stress, dont hurt yourself
You like being outside don’t you? Every time I see your blog you’re off on some adventure. :)
I’m envious. :)
JayLoss´s last blog ..Almost in the 230s
I do like being outside. My skin hates it, since it gets burned so easily, but yeah, being outside in nature is the best! And besides – I’m in freaking NEW ZEALAND. I better be off on some adventure every chance I get. ;)
Great photos, just beautiful there – an awesome place for a bike ride!
Brandon´s last blog ..Keeping track of my progress
I love taking a ferry!! There are not too many that have such a beautiful voyage like you did in the eastern US, but there are a few in the Carolina’s and Ive been lucky enough to ride them in British Columbia! Great photos, thank you!!
I love the pics of riding by the ocean. I used to live on the west coast in the US and I really miss my trips to the ocean. Nothing like what your seeing there though. Glad your having such a good time. Also thanks for the kick in the butt on the scale issue I had.
Tom
Come see my Weigh-in Today
http://www.ihategreenapples.com
Tom´s last blog ..What was your Excuse Today?
Biking is one of my favorite ways to try and stay fit. I love being able to go places and enjoy the sights while trying to burn all those calories. And that’s a really lovely bike trail, too. Lovin’ all the sand, sea, and sky!
I know it may have been a little uncomfortable at times but the funny thing with the passing of time is you forget things like that or you starting to get sunburnt and just remember how much fun it was being with the one you love. What a great way to get in some exercise and taking in the sights!
EXACTLY. I actually thought about that while we were out. Every time I felt annoyed at being hot or tired or sunburnt I remembered that it was nothing and I should smile and take a photo of us because in the end I’d only remember “that time we biked on Waiheke Island” in a good way. ;)
I like the idea of photo’s of your food rather than just writing it down, it will be a great resource to look back on to see how you’re eating habits have changed.
P.S – I like the new layout of the blog, looks great!
Barry´s last blog ..Freedom From The Fridge
The photos are fun, and something I know I can do, as I know logged it on paper doesn’t work at all for me.
Thanks! I wanted some more color and to change things up a bit. Glad you like it. :)
Beautiful! I love nature.
David´s last blog ..Counting calories for weight gain
That is such a beautiful place to go biking. I am thinking about buying a mountain bike to go riding with my daughter. Any suggestions on bikes?
Absolutely beautiful pics!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lucky lady!
Jody – Fit at 52´s last blog ..Exercise Options!
Auckland looks so beautiful! I wish I could visit NZ. Those are some great pictures! Have loads of fun, but it sounds like you’re having it already!
Karen´s last blog ..Recipe: Baked breaded chicken strips
Judging from the photos, there was alot of great scenery :D
Joey Logano Fan´s last blog ..Setting up for the 2010 Daytona 500