Skip to main content

Posts

Resetting for Monday: Miles, Mess, and Motivation

 A Little Progress on a Cold January Weekend Stepping out into the cold at –6°C today felt like a small victory in itself. I eased into the walk and ended up spending about twenty minutes in the easy heart‑rate zone and another fifteen in warm‑up, which is more balance than I expected on a day like this. It reminded me of something I heard recently: you can’t depend on motivation to carry you, because motivation comes and goes. What actually gets you moving is routine. Today was one of those days where the routine did the heavy lifting. Just getting out the door, feeling the cold on my face, and letting the walk unfold was enough to make the day feel decent. The dog treated the whole outing like a grand rediscovery mission. She sniffed absolutely everything, as if the neighbourhood had transformed in the months she’s been missing proper walks. Between the storms in December, the lack of movement in November, and the back pain that started in October, it’s been nearly three month...
Recent posts

Chasing the Last Light

 Just me, Dixie, and the last glow of the day. Tonight’s walk‑run with Dixie had a different kind of energy to it. We headed out around the park just as the light was slipping away, that perfect in‑between moment where the sky hasn’t given up completely but the streetlights are already starting to glow. It’s a great hour for time‑lapse—enough movement, enough contrast, and just enough traffic rolling by to make the frame feel alive. I grabbed a short clip, but honestly, I think the university area would’ve been an even better backdrop with all the vehicles streaming past. Still, the timing was right, and the atmosphere had that quiet, moody feel I love. Dixie did great out there. She had her little bursts of excitement, then settled into a steady rhythm beside me. There’s something grounding about those outings—just me, the dog, and the cold air settling in around us. Even in the dark, it felt good to move, to stretch the legs, to shake off the day. Back home, the evening kept its ...

Kicking Off the Year With a Walk and Good Company

  A warm New Year’s morning, a long‑delayed reunion, and the simple joy of getting outside together. The first walk of the year couldn’t have started on a better note. Bryan and I managed to meet up just before noon, grabbing a quick lunch before heading out. He treated me to a Thanksgiving Stack , and honestly, it hit the spot—exactly the kind of hearty, comforting food that sets the tone for a good day. With the dog trotting happily off leash, we made our way along the power lines on the north end, settling into that familiar pace that comes so naturally when you’re walking with someone you enjoy spending time with. The weather surprised me in the best way. I’d only thrown on a vest and a long‑sleeve undershirt, expecting to feel the chill, but it turned out to be warmer than I thought. I did have a moment where I wished I’d grabbed my gloves—funny enough, I actually brought a pair but left them in the vehicle without thinking. Even so, the fresh air and steady movement kept me...

Out the Door Is the Hardest Part

Powered by Cottage Cheese and Questionable Motivation Dixie and I headed out for a walk by ourselves today, and even though it was only about seven minutes, I really enjoyed it. The wind was blowing, but honestly, there’s way less snow here than in Edmonton — by a few feet, from the looks of it. It felt good to get outside for a bit and stretch the legs. My morning started off great, too. I ate well, which always sets the tone for the day. Alongside my usual yogurt, I had some 4% cottage cheese mixed with Udo’s oil and chia seeds. That combo just makes me feel grounded and energized. It’s such a simple meal, but it really does make my day feel better. What did you have for breakfast today? Hopefully you’re enjoying this warm weather as much as I am. I’m planning to take Dixie out again soon. I was thinking about going for a run, but decided a short walk would be better to ease into the rhythm first. Maybe later tonight I’ll head out for a proper run — if I do, I’ll add the stats to ...

🏃‍♂️ Recent Blog Log: Movement, Meals & Mindset

Days before my severe back pain I was writing my new blog post for the exceedingly high exercise routine for me that I started…. 🏃‍♂️ Recent Blog Log: Movement, Meals & Mindset Day 1: Weighted Walk & Reflection Activity: 5.7 km walk with a 14 kg weight Stats: Distance, time, heart rate zones, power output tracked Reflection: Felt strong and grounded. Dixie’s pace kept things steady. Noticed how the weight shifted my stride and mindset—like carrying intention. Day 2: Strength & Clean Sweep Workout: Two weight sessions (68 minutes, 46 sets) Run: 5 km post-lift Recovery Ritual: Deep house cleaning—physical reset meets mental clarity Mood: Productive, proud, and ready for the next push Day 3: Macro Mastery & Meal Tracking Meal: 1000g cottage cheese, 150g chicken breast with spinach, 3 tbsp Udo’s Oil DHA Macros: 160.5g protein, 37g carbs, 66g fat (~1,384 kcal) Cholesterol: ~280 mg—mostly from lean sources, balanced by omega-3s Reflection: High...

Two Walks and a Muddy Dog

  This morning I headed out with my Dad around 11 a.m. for a good walk. We covered about 4 km in an hour, taking our time and enjoying the fresh air. It felt great to share that time together, and later in the day I managed another walk with Bryan. Two walks in one day—both meaningful in their own way. I even took some time-lapse videos during each walk, which gave me a fun way to capture the changing scenery and the steady pace of our steps. By the end of the day, I was closing in on 10,000 steps, and I knew I’d easily pass that mark. Looking back over the week, I’ve managed to hit my walking goals on five out of seven days, which feels like real progress. Of course, Dixie was part of the adventure too. Between the walks with my dad and Bryan, and the time spent with her, I logged about 6 km today. She’s been loving the Chinook weather—warm air, soft ground, and plenty of places to explore. The only downside is the mud, which she seems to find without fail. When we got home, she w...

The Weekend Cleanse: DIY Air, Lights, & Elbow Grease

  The week's tasks entailed Clean oxygen is like I'm an aerospace engineering  💨 Clean Air on a Budget: Meet the Corsi-Rosenthal Box After an epic cleaning session indoors and out, I'm taking the pursuit of a healthy home to the next level! I just finished building my very own Corsi-Rosenthal Box (CR Box), a DIY air purifier designed to significantly improve indoor air quality for a fraction of the cost of commercial units. I'm hoping this will be a game-changer, especially for controlling pet dander, those pesky dust and dog mites, and general pet odor. The construction took about half an hour of focused effort (after waiting a week for all the parts to arrive), and I'm really proud of how it turned out. The best part? The total cost of the fan and high-efficiency filters is roughly one-third the price of my existing, single-filter Rabbit Air unit. It delivers similar powerful air cleaning capacity or I figure it's way better at doing the job without breaking ...