Archive for category Exercise

Hooker Falls

Hooker Falls is located within Dupont State Forest and is one of a dozen hikes within the park which include; Galax, Triple Falls, High Falls, Covered Bridge, Lake Imaging, Buck Forest Road, Grassy Creek Falls, Conservation Road, Joanna Road, Lake Dense, Bridal Veil Falls Road.  This was Barbie’s and my first visit to Dupont and we enjoyed it so much that we’ve decided to make it our destination for the next few weekends.  We were unsure of the water access and swimming in the area so one thing we plan to do differently next time is to bring our bathing suits.  This is a very easy trail with a very large swimming area to play in complete with a small cave behind the waterfall which is accessible from the side.  Swimming, hiking, picnic tables, and it FREE, all add up to a great family trip.  Also there are picnic tables located in a clearing on the way to the falls, but no grills.  This would be a great place for a large group so long as you bring your own grill.  The trail is just far enough from civilization that you should plan to pack a lunch since the closest restaurant is a 45min drive from the trail.  Next time we will plan to spend the day in the woods and swimming and some time we plan to camp at, what in my childhood was know as Little River Campground, is now known as Cascade Lake Recreation Area so we can spend more time exploring this area.

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Skinny Dip Falls

This weekend Barbie and I took a trip on the Parkway to Skinny Dip Falls and had a wonderful time.  It was a warm day and the rain let up for once, to make things even better there weren’t too many people there so we had one of the swimming holes to our selves, there are two deep ones and two shallow ones.  The trip to and from the falls is 1 1/4 mile and isn’t too steep, it’s a great trip for beginner hikers like Barbie and I or families with small children.  The swimming holes have ledges which make for great jump off spots and the water isn’t too cold, once you get used to it.  This makes for a great weekend trip because it’s free, did I mention that I’m cheap, and you get some exercise along with a fun trip.  The one thing I will do differently the next time is to remember the clip to attach my camera to my tripod, it is very disappointing to carry the tripod all the way in for pictures of the falls and not be able to use it.  Below are some photos of our trip, you should go some time!

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The Hacker’s Diet

The Hacker's Diet Online

I’ve just learned about The Hacker’s Diet by John Walker.  It looks like a great idea and simplifies most of what I’ve been doing to loose weight so far this year.  I’ve lost 17lbs since January 1st, can you guess what my new year resolution was?  I read about the diet plan at http://www.fourmilab.ch/ and immediately began to wish I had known about this earlier, only spend 15min per day to loose weight and maintain your health.  The basic idea seems sound and it that basis of what’s worked for me so far. Read the rest of this entry »

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My Diet

I joined the Discovery Health: National Body Challenge 7 weeks ago.  I challenged myself to loose 2 lbs per week for 8 weeks.  This would bring my weight down to 234 within 2 months.  I am now at 233 and still have one week left!!!  Now I’m on to my semester long goal.  I’m trying to get down to 200 or less by the end of the semester.  I’ve lost 17 lbs in 7 weeks and I have another 13 weeks to loose the additional 33 lbs, it’s going to be close but I think I can do it.  I’ve attached my data in case anyone wants to see how I’ve done it so far.

http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=p0TJzuifEnhUyKyneXeKLfw

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