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I am a 58 year old single woman, who is looking forward to an active retirement. However, I have become a couch potato. I was spending hours watching Big Bang Theory, news channels, and HGTV. Mowing the yard was my only exercise. I have watched my 87 year old mother’s health decline as she spends hours sitting in her recliner. I want a different future for myself.
The change began when my company offered $50 to any employee willing to buy a fit bit and begin tracking steps. I accepted, soon realizing how sedentary my life was. Days I work from home I walked around 3,000 steps. Not even close to the recommended 10,000 steps a day.
So I joined Planet Fitness and began walking on the treadmill 2 days a week. At first it was slow and exhausting. But slowly I increase my time and speed. Currently I am walking 45 minutes at 3.0 to get a comfortable 10,000+ steps 2 days a week.   
But I needed more. Not more Planet Fitness, but another goal, something to get my physical juices flowing. My new goal is to hike the Grand Canyon! I am not even considering hiking to the bottom. Rather I found a trip for 3 days with a six mile hike each day. So I need to become physically fit enough to hike 6 miles 3 days in a row. It sounds very doable, especially considering I have given myself from August to May to accomplish it.
On FaceBook there is a 52 hike challenge from some people in California. The page suggests people spend a year hiking outdoors for a least a mile each time. During 52 weeks you would complete 52 hikes. It sounds like the type of challenge I need. So I joined the page and began recording my progress.
Currently I usually hike 2 times a week for 2 to 3 hours each hike. I am getting 10,000+ steps 2 more days a week. Luckily there are several large parks within 30 minutes of my home in Alabama. My favorites are Moss Rock Preserve which is 10 minutes from home. And Oak Mountain State Park which is 20 minutes from home. Both have hills, streams, roots, and rocks to traverse.
This Blog is the story of my progress as I prepare myself for being Active in Retirement. I hope you enjoy reading about my journey.


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