Tag: hiking back to health

Using Instagram as a Habit Tracker

September 3, 2023 by Kadanza

Well, I’ve tried. I thought posting pictures of my daily walks on Instagram would keep me more motivated. I even managed to create 83 of my planned #365hikeschallenge posts.

This is post 83/365 – a picture of a beautiful tree in Athens, Greece, taken on my way to the produce market on Saturday.

This picture was taken on the 27th of May. Today is the 3rd of September. What happened?

I was already waiting several months for surgery, trying very hard to stay as fit as possible while waiting.

End of May I got a phone call telling me that there was a 5-week delay. My motivation tanked below zero. I was sick 5 out of 7 days for weeks in a row already, and tired of waiting.

Whenever I did have the energy I walked around the block, but my daily walks weren’t about exploring nature or a new city anymore, just exercise.

Day 83 of using Instagram as habit tracker for my daily walk. Beautiful tree in Athens, Greece.

A Daily Picture of my Street on Instagram didn’t Work.

I kept on scoring my walks on my paper habit tracker and did remarkably well. Seeing all the days that I managed to walk, even though I was feeling tired or sick made me proud.

Habit tracking always works for me, to keep me motivated and improve myself. But the picture on Instagram felt as a burden, a nasty task, during the times that I only walked around the block.

While I was in Athens, I liked taking pictures of my surroundings. But it still didn’t work as a habit tracker.

Instagram is a Photo-Journal for Me, not a Habit Tracker

I am 7 weeks post-surgery now, and once again hiking back to health. My paper journal is full of marked-off daily walks. But my Instagram is still quiet. Partly because I didn’t make the decision to quit using Instagram as a habit tracker.

Now that I decided that it doesn’t work that way for me, I might start to share pictures of my daily walks again. Whenever I feel like it, or if I see a beautiful sky or tree.

Do you use Instagram as a Habit Tracker?

I am curious about your experience, please tell me what works for you!

Protein Shake After a Workout?

March 28, 2023March 25, 2023 by Kadanza

A protein shake after a workout is increasingly popular among fitness enthusiasts and bodybuilders, as a recovery drink.

But I have to admit, I felt silly and pretentious when I started using a shake after my endurance training and hiking exercises, on my fitness instructor’s and doctor’s recommendation.

A little research made me change my mind. Here are my reasons to use protein powder after walking or exercising;

My Daily Walk – My Fitness Challenge Week 1&2

February 17, 2023February 7, 2023 by Kadanza

First things first: I didn’t break the chain, but made my daily walk every single day for the last 16 days. I am so proud of myself! I know it is very early in this challenge, but without committing myself to it, I probably would have walked just 9 days out of 16. There was a lot going on in my life.

Goal Setting and Actual Planning Are Key

Fitness Challenge : 365 hikes in 2023

January 21, 2023January 21, 2023 by Kadanza

shadow figure standing on the beach New year, same me…

Unfortunately, the start of a fresh new year doesn’t automatically bring me better motivation, discipline and mindset.

So I came up with a hiking challenge for myself:

365 days of hiking in 2023, to hit my fitness goal by

Hiking in Thailand? Not possible for me!

January 21, 2023October 16, 2022 by Kadanza

Thai foot massage on the food market My fitness level improved a lot this summer, and I expected to keep this upward trend going. Then I decided to visit a friend in Thailand with my travel points…

The weather in Thailand is hot and humid

These are far from ideal walking circumstances for me. I have quite severe lymphatic edema and

Strolling through the streets of Athens

January 21, 2023May 10, 2022 by Kadanza

Akropolis - view from Balcony Quick post, to share some pics of my visit to Athens.

I have been to Athens several times before, so I didn’t feel the urge to visit all the historical sites in the 5 days I spent with my dad at the beginning of April 2022.

We revisited quite a few of them anyway, focusing on 1 museum/ historical highlight a day. For the rest of the time, we just followed our feet, randomly strolling

Does walking help with depression?

February 20, 2023January 10, 2022 by Kadanza

Yes, it does. The good news: you don’t have to go for a run. Walking improves your mood.

To make the best of your walks while battling depression, I share some tips and ideas about your surroundings, your company, your goal setting and overall self care. This way you can optimize the positive effects of your walks.

Location matters, when walking to help with depression

Moving your body supports your brain in many ways.
But there is a big difference in effect between walking indoors, walking in urban surroundings and walking in nature.

How can I use Hiking as Exercise?

February 20, 2023December 1, 2021 by Kadanza

This question popped up in my head a few months ago, while feeling desperate with my own exhaustion and my painful legs. The gym was closed due to a Covid-19 lockdown, and I was literally out of breath in 2 minutes. I didn’t even make it to the grocery store, let alone the beach – which is located a 20-minute walk from my house. Hiking beautiful and long nature paths felt way out of reach.

But what if I would use walking as my exercise to become fit again?