A Week in the Ozarks - a pictorial essay

We returned last weekend from a wonderful retreat in the Arkansas Ozarks!  It was perfect timing for us - we were so ready for a new travel adventure!  We left our home Friday morning and after a one night stay in Little Rock, we arrived on Saturday afternoon at Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas.   While we saw wonderful fall colors during the first day of our travels in Southern Arkansas, most of the trees in Northern Arkansas were already losing their leaves.  However, even in Northern Arkansas, we saw a lot of beautiful Red Ash trees still retaining their shimmery red and gold colors.  In fact,  I wish I had taken more photos as I was so struck by their gorgeous hues.

We spent a week at Crown Point Resort, a lovely "hidden gem" in the North Central Ozarks of Arkansas:

We stayed in a relaxing, well-equipped condo with a large balcony:

From the balcony, we had lovely views of Crown Point Lake:

We also enjoyed daily visits from our furry friends:

I got in lots of exercise in the indoor pool and spa:

And at the fitness center:

We alsp took a side trip to Branson, Missouri, where we watched a fantastic family Christmas Show by the Hughes Brothers and their families!  A truly wonderful way to begin the holiday season!

The Benefits of Strength Training - a learning experience!

I have added a fairly new dimension (for me) to my journey - strength training.  I've also been fortunate to have done so with a personal trainer whom I believe is very gifted.  She knows what my needs are and tailors the exercises to exactly what I need.

I started strength training at the beginning of September, generally twice a week for about an hour during each session.   I have missed about two weeks so I've had perhaps 15 sessions to date.   I'm just now venturing on my own and have started to do some of the routines without my trainer - such as this week since she is not available.

The results of the strength training I have undertaken have  been significant.   Not only have my posture and balance improved, but I have strengthened my limbs, most especially my knees which have been my nemesis for several years!  My arms and shoulders are stronger as well as my core. As an example, I have increased sit-ups by 5 per week and am up to thirty.  Strength training has also changed my body shape, and I feel and look fitter.

In the weeks and months ahead. I will share the actual exercises and the on-going results of this added dimension of my personal fitness routine.

Last Week Was the Pits!

Since this is a "journey", there is bound to be ups and downs!   Last week was definitely the pits.  It started out with a bad cold that kept me down the entire weekend, and then last Tuesday, I had an episode I would hate to repeat!   I thought I would be able to workout with my "personal trainer" in our "home gym"  (garage) but halfway into the strengthening exercises, I began feeling dizzy.   I sat on the workout bench and put my head down, but knew I couldn't go any further.  I was not able to stand up without help and ended up being half carried by Amanda and my husband.  I barely got into the kitchen when I began blacking out, and had it not been for the two of them and my son-in-law, I would have probably cracked my head on the tile floor as I fell.  YIKES!!!  Yep, I did totally black out - but came to within a few minutes. For a fleeting moment, I wondered why I was looking up at the ceiling!   Then I realized that  I was not only flat on the floor, but also was surrounded by my three "rescuers". all looking very worried (my husband admitted later he thought I was having a heart attack!).   I laid on the hard floor a good 30-35 minutes before I felt strong enough to get up.   I was then taken to our little house and promptly got physically sick - and lost my entire breakfast!  When I finally got into bed, I slept over 2.5 hours!  I was truly exhausted from the entire rather scary episode...On hindsight, I realized that I had been dehydrated and had not fully recovered from my weekend illness - that coupled with the overly warm and humid atmosphere in the garage most likely contributed to my overall demeanor - and downfall!

The rest of the week, I took it easy...mostly rested and took some walks. By Thursday, I felt well enough to go to the Fort Worth Botanical Gardens with Laura, a friend who was visiting from El Paso.    Here is a photo from that excursion:

 This week, I am happy to say, I am back in form, and have returned to my workouts!   Last week was just "a bump in the road". It's over and now I'm ready to return to a feeling of being energized and continue my journey!   And, yes, I will pay closer attention to the messages my body is giving me, and, most of all,  I need to remember: