It was almost 90 degrees and sunny yesterday, which was a record high temperature for October here in Tennessee. The gorgeous weather motivated me to get outdoors and push myself a little harder with our Fall Exercise Challenge. 🙂
I decided to revisit Short Springs Natural Area. It’s a beautiful spot in middle Tennessee with great hiking and multiple waterfalls. This was the second waterfall on my hike (photo below) and I went on to really challenge myself on this hike…
I started the day with a quick breakfast of pecan halves while I was working.
A half cup of pecans (60 grams) is 420 calories, only 2 net carbs, and 93% healthy fat – so it’s a very filling little snack!;)
Since I was heading out of town for my fitness adventure and knew there was a Hardee’s a couple towns over, I decided to have lunch on the way – because they make my absolute favorite low carb cheeseburger! 🙂
I got the Frisco Burger “low carb style” (in a lettuce wrap).
Hardee’s or Carl’s Jr will make anything on the menu low carb style for you. See Seedrah.com (Hardee’s spelled backward).
I’d been to this hiking spot before so I decided to take a different trail in and see Busby Falls, then loop around for my REAL mission. I mentioned in previous posts that I was itching to climb Machine Falls, and that’s exactly what I set out to do!
It turns out that Busby Falls is actually two waterfalls, the lower Busby Falls (which you saw in the first photo above) and the smaller upper Busby Falls shown below:
They were both absolutely beautiful. 🙂
Just as I reached the stream that would take me down to Busby Falls, I ran into a kind older man named Bob. I would guess he’s in his 60’s or early 70’s and he was out getting a little sunshine and exercise (just like me! and several other solo-hikers) before his kick-boxing class later. 🙂
He walked downstream with me a ways, telling me stories of the area and his adventures in those woods. He was a great help navigating the waterways off-trail too, and fun company!
After Bob headed back to make his kickboxing class on time(!), I found where the two streams met and turned right to walk upstream toward Machine Falls.
It was fun following the waterways instead of the trails. 🙂
I chose that route to keep cooled off while hiking on such a HOT day. It was a lot more scenic too, with even more waterfalls along the way.
I walked upstream until I reached my destination: Machine Falls.
You can’t see much of it in this photo. I was limited with my selfie stick, because my “camera voice commands” wouldn’t work so close to the waterfalls. My phone couldn’t hear me over the roar. 🙂
WHY did I want to climb Machine Falls?
Good question… 🙂
Lately I’ve felt so up in the air with so many things in my life, had a little head spinning going on – ya know? We all go through that sometimes. Getting out in the fresh air and sunshine and working up a great sweat is good for the body AND soul.
But I also craved a sense of accomplishment… I wanted to challenge myself, and prove that I could do it. We’ll just call it therapy.:)
Plus rock climbing is an AMAZING workout. 🙂
About 2/3 of the way up that ridge, I really started to question this mission -lol. It took A LOT of upper body strength and balance. Sweat was dripping off of me. Spiders and snakes and other such things started running through my mind…
Going back down wasn’t exactly an option at this point though. 😛
I made it. 🙂
Hot, drenched in sweat, relieved (lol) and feeling like a million bucks!!
Here’s my “victory shot” standing over the top of Machine Falls:
From my downstream chat with “old man Bob” I knew there was a trail leading to the top of the waterfall, so I intended to find that trail and hike back out from there.
Somehow I missed it. (the trail) 🙄 lol…
I ended up (not intentionally) on a path that took me back down the bluff I’d just climbed… but in a different spot, with at least a few more footholds.
About halfway down I stopped for a break, because I found a tree to hold on to (lol). This was a crazy steep grade, most of which I had to do on my butt, inching my way down VERY carefully.
I made it. 🙂 Another HUGE victory!!
I followed the river back downstream – filthy, sweaty, a little scraped up and SMILING so big. I was exhausted and the sun was starting to get low, so I stayed on course hiking back to the Busby creek intersection then upstream from there – the way I came. I didn’t want to get lost in the woods in the dark! lol – eek!
Making it back to the lower Busby Falls with plenty of daylight still left to hike out was a relief, although I felt comfortable enough with my path at that point to get out even in low light. Still, this sight gave me another big smile as there were no longer other hikers around.
It was an amazing hiking experience all the way around, and a GREAT workout. In addition to logging over 10,000 steps on my Fitbit, it was a full body workout with lots of arm action on the climb.
That was 3 adventures in 4 days, and I’m finally feeling some muscle tension. 🙂 This is the first time I’ve felt “sore” with any of my workouts! And honestly it’s just a little tension, which makes me feel like I’m in better shape than I realized.:)
I was FAMISHED after 5 hours of non-stop hiking, and I was hungry for real food.
Unfortunately I was wet, dirty, sweaty – and smelled like it. haha. I decided to chance it anyway because fast food just wasn’t going to cut it after all that… so I went to O’Charley’s for a REAL dinner.
They didn’t seem to mind me, lol. 🙂
I ordered my favorite healthy low carb meal there: Cedar Plank Salmon with asparagus and “loaded broccoli” (steamed broccoli with butter, cheese & sour cream):
That usually makes two meals for me, but I totally cleaned my plate. Well, except for about half the asparagus because the stalk ends were tough.:)
It was SOOO good though!
Here’s my MyFitnessPal Nutrition Diary for yesterday:
It was a very healthy day all the way around with lots of sunshine, soul-searching, smiling, exercise, and great low carb meals!
I’ll be home for the next few days and plan to rest and catch up on a fun writing project, and maybe even cook a little. 🙂
It’s nice to find ways to make exercise FUN, and I really enjoy challenging myself and exploring my limits – both my physical limits, and things like facing my fears (heights, being out in the woods alone, etc). I also love to EXPLORE. It’s fun and it’s free and it’s a great way to break up your routine and get out of the house.;)
Best,
Lynn Terry,
aka @LowCarbTraveler
Discount Code: LOWCARBTRAVELER
OMG, Lynn, look how skinny you are!!! Wow!! It’s hard to see yourself in your own eyes, but dayum, gurl, you are fit and fine!
And so, so, happy, it shines from within.
π
Thank you, Jo! π π
I’ve worked SO hard to get to this point. It’s so nice to have all of you to celebrate that with. π
You be CAREFUL young lady!! Ya hear? It’s snowing here today (NOT 90! LOL)… I’m flying out to Oregon tonight for some Best Friend R&R. She is a hiker! I’m excited.
Oh… Got my pecans packed! π
lol Karen – ENJOY π
Have a great trip! *cheers*
Finally another pound!! I will take it. I have been eating LCHF since February and no one to eat this way with me until this week. One of my co-workers started and it really helps having someone to bounce ideas off of. We went to lunch and she just copied what I ordered. My pants are loose –maybe 5 more pounds and I can go down a size. Thank you for all you do–I need it.
Awesome, Amy! π Congrats on the weight loss, and on sticking it out and seeing great results. I’m so glad to hear you found a “low carb friend” too – that always makes it more fun! π
You’re awfully brave….I’m worried for you to be honest but I’m proud of your strength and determination. I hope to obtain some of your bravery because I’m pretty terrified of most things that involve the possibility of spiders or snakes….I love heights but I’ve never challenged myself to do what you’re doing. You look absolutely amazing, you should be so proud. You’re such a great influence to me. Thank you, and stay safe! I’m battling depression pretty bad lately and I feel like this way of eating is at least one thing I can control right now…so I’m holding onto it tightly and letting it help push me through the bad times…..have a great weekend.
That’s the smartest thing you can do, Amy. π I’m not sure if you read this already: http://www.travelinglowcarb.com/10307/stress-depression-dieting/ but that’s the same thing I said. π I wrote that last Spring when things really hit me hard, and now 6 months later it’s all finally coming to a head – and my doctor has put me on an antidepressant. ~blah π
I’m being cautious and safe, but I find it really helps to not only eat healthy and be in control of that, but also to find something I can ACHIEVE (when other things are spinning out of control – or feel that way). Like climbing a ridge that seems like an impossible feat – and making it to the top. π
So many things in life are perspective, perception, or intangibles like love and heartache and grief and loss and stress and worry. Other things, like giant cliffs, are very tangible. It was a cathartic experience for sure…
You do look great and I hope you’re feeling great on the inside too! Your post about the doctor visit really touched me and my heart goes out to you. I think you’re great and my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Now question about your MFP log…your ‘required’ calories daily seems to be different daily and I was wondering why? Mine are set at 1200 and I know I’m not suppose to worry about them just the macros but when I see I’ve gone ‘over’ that number it plays mind tricks and I get anxious about what if it’s only lunch and I’ve had calorie dense meals and Im afraid to eat anymore that day. Does that make sense?! Any suggestions??
Hi Casey,
I find those numbers jump around all the time. I don’t have to watch calories (I’m down again, to 136.6 pounds now!!) so I just ignore all those crazy goals and numbers in MFP. I focus only on: 20 net carbs max, 70% fat minimum – and keep it that simple.
There’s a science to the way a LCHF diet works, which is why calories aren’t a factor. If you eat super low carb your body goes into a state of ketosis, which makes it burn fat for fuel (energy) instead of carbs/sugar. So it’s not a calories in/out thing like a typical “diet.”
Congrats on dropping more!! That’s so awesome! Thanks for the help! It’s greatly appreciated! π
Simple is good. π Simple foods, simple meals, simple tracking, simple life. π
Thank you too, for your kind words and prayers. π I’ve had a lot of ups and downs this week. It’s been tough. I’m doing my best to take care of me, including getting out for exercise & sunshine – and just some soul searching in the woods.
That day I felt lost (it was my 6 month anniversary with Joe), so getting physically “lost in the woods” (wandering) felt suiting, and was easier than being at home – where there are constant reminders of the things that have me down right now.
Heartache is tough, and it’s one of many things I’m processing and dealing with right now. It’s hard when there are things in your life you can’t do anything about, so sometimes you have to go find something you CAN do or accomplish – like climbing that crazy bluff. π