Sunday, June 29, 2014

Instagram and how it fits into Weight Maintenance (500 follower celebration!)

Wow!!!  I've been on Instgram for about 13 months and I hit 500 followers today.  Whoot-whoot!

If you're not following me AND you like coastal views, bird photos, animal photos, flower photos, and beach colors- hop on over and follow me.



http://instagram.com/gardengirl_kp

Special Mentions:
My favorite of all favorite hash tags for my Instagram account are :
 #onmywalk  (Thank you Suzi for the idea).
#walkingforweightmaintenance (Thank you Andrea for using this hashtag )

Special Saftey Note:
As always, hashtag and post safely. I don't ever make the same walk twice at a routine time. Always changing it up, always posting after the walk has taken place. Just saying...

I can't tell you how much being able to practice my photography hobby every single day is part of my long term weight maintenance. I've had a camera in my hand since I was 13. I got a Pentax K-1000, SLR for my birthday and have been a photo buff ever since. Photography is a gift that has been passed down from my grandfather on my mother's side. Happily, my daughter also has the gift, too. Love that!

Daily 60 minute exercise (not chronic cardio... really, my walks are rarely fast paced all at once) is a key tool for long term weight maintenance and stress relief.  I often break my walks up into 2 or 3 sessions due to time constrains.

What's working now:
1. Taking my Cannon SX500 IS with me on daily walks
2. Taking my iPhone with me if I forget my Cannon (happens!)
3. Walking 60 minutes or more for long term weight maintenance
4. Getting into a "Flow state" and stopping to photograph or watch a sequence.
5. Using photography and walking to decrease stress and motivation to get out and stay out into nature.

What did not work before:
1. Not taking my camera with me, and missing great photos!
2. Not remembering I can take some awesome photos with the iPhone.
3. Not walking for exercise and thinking 4,000 to 5,000 steps were "enough" (not true at my fitness level and health requirements. I now walk 5-6 miles a day. 12,000-15,000 steps)
4. Not really getting into a flow state due to always numbing with food.
5. Getting into nature, but not using it as a stress reduction tool.


What do you say? What gets you into a flow state?






6 comments:

  1. Which iphone do you have, Karen? I'm finding the photos off my iPhone 4s are getting worse and worse. I fully intend to have a new smart phone by the end of September...either a 5s, 6, or Icon. But it's almost to the point that I have to use my little Sony digi with me instead, which makes for a little slower load to the net experience...

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  2. Hi, Gwen. I have and iPhone5 with a possibility to upgrade near the holidays. I love the 5, great photos for some things. I need the zoom lens for some of the critters. I actually switch to the iPhone5 for up close flower photos for a better shot some days...
    Good luck with the upgrade...

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    1. thanks, Karen! I might get the 5s...if I'm not super impressed with the upgrades on the 6. I'd love the Icon, it takes fantastic photos...I'm still worried about the size of the Windows app's market. I don't use a LOT of apps, compared to most, but still not sure I wanted to be limited. We'll see what the 6 brings to the party. :)

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  3. Thanks for the shout out! I always love you IG photos from your walks!

    Love this: "Using photography and walking to decrease stress and motivation to get out and stay out into nature."

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  4. P.S.: A BIG congrats on 500 followers!!!!! :)

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  5. I have no idea what instagram is but hear about it all the time. I have no intention of tweating or instagramming (don't know about either actually). I have decided there is just too much social media stuff in my life so facebook and blogger will do for me. It all just seems to be moving at too great a pace for me these days !!

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