I have a confession:
My metabolism has reset.
Really. Up until I hit 30 I was able to eat pretty much what I wanted and exercise just a little and be just fine. Hitting 30 was like hitting a wall though. Suddenly I had no energy. I would pant after jogging up the stairs. I would chase my kids for 3 or 2 minutes and then they would catch me because I was too tired. I immediately started being more conscious of what I was eating and how much and I tried to make opportunities for more exercise. But it was all to no avail, because by the time I hit 31 I had lost a lot of muscle tone and gained a solid 10 pounds.
What. The. Hey-Now ?!?
Ok. Work harder. Eat less. More fruit. More fibre.
No good. I am staring down the barrel of 32. I have more energy thanks to the magic of vitamins (I still love you B12!) but the weight? Oy. I've put on another 10 this year and the year isn't out yet.
I am a very unhappy mommy.
(And I dream of time travelling to meet up with my very fit young 20's self and giving her a little slap for being critical of her body. Twerp.)
So with all my babies off to school and me having ME time, I thought I would take the golden opportunity to take action. My master plan is to walk to the bus stop with my 3 amigos and then go for a brisk walk once their bus comes to carry them away. I am committed to walking in any weather (ok, maybe not sleet) and I'd like to go a little further and a little faster every day. Then when I come home I can do one of the many exercise videos I've picked up over the years, shower, breakfast, and even have some time for some personal study and reflection before booting up the computer and getting to work.
Sounds good, right?
I got started this morning. Went out with the kids, took lots of first day of school photos of my Boy, waved the kids off and then started marching along the road.
But I still had my camera on me.
Hey! Carrying weights while walking? Awesome! I am on my way to getting fit again!
But look at the way the mist is rising off the lake....
And look at those flowers....and those flowers....and the sun shining on that field....
I mostly kept myself marching but had to stop now and then. HAD TO. When you see beauty, you should take a moment.
It doesn't take a genius to realize that walking for my health and to shed a few pounds isn't going to work if I stop every few feet to get a photo.
The debate began. Should I carry my camera with me every morning and capture the beauty around me, or should I leave it at home and work on walking as briskly as possible, getting my heart rate up and stopping for nothing?
But if I leave my camera at home, how will I document the new house being built on our road?
How will I see what's left of the neighbour's gardens?
How will I.....HELLO WHAT'S THIS????
Oh pretty fellow, how close will you let me get to you?
I spent at least half an hour stalking this guy, watching him at his toilette, playing with angles and light and exposure while he pretended to ignore me.
When he finally decided to hop down and swim away, I continued for home, snapping photos and at peace.

And the debate is over. The camera comes with me. The thrill of moments like these are good enough for the heart, right?