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In This Edition:
The Top 10 Lessons I Learned On My Cycling Trip
The Universe Is Always Aligned - Are You?
What's Your Goal?
Fall Weight Loss Group The Cabot Trail - Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia
My Top 10 Lessons Learned While Solo Cycle Touring Atlantic Canada
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Welcome to all the new subscribers! In my last newsletter, 3 weeks ago, I told you that I was setting off to fulfill a dream I had for 23 years, of cycle touring and camping.
It was an Incredible experience, mind blowing scenery, challenging climbs, super
warm, welcoming, generous, people, fabulous seafood, strengthening situations, tons of fond memories, I'm still high!
I'll be posting more about the details of my trip on my website and I'll be sending you the links in upcoming newsletters. But for now... the lessons learned or reminders I needed to re-learn.
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1. The Universe is always aligned, giving us exactly what we need, exactly when we need it.
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When I arrived in Moncton, after taking the train from Montreal, I saw 2 cyclists getting their bikes ready to put on a bus. Perfect timing or divine intervention? I had no idea that for 5$ it was possible to do that. I decided to take the bus right to Baddeck, the start of the Cabot Trail the next afternoon. That way I could cover 420 kms in one day, leaving more time to cycle where I really wanted to. I felt immensely grateful to have
been there to witness that at the right time!
I had some challenging days the first week, with mostly clouds and off and on rain. However, if it had been hot and sunny going over the 3 mountains and climbing all the hills on the Cabot Trail it probably would've been much harder to do in the blazing heat and I might've run out of water. I only appreciated this after the fact. The universe was aligned but I didn't realize it. Has that ever happened to you? This was a
great reminder.
The universe then blessed me with 8 straight days of sunshine to enjoy Prince Edward Island's beauty and beaches!
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Views from White Point Road - The northern part of Cape Breton Island
2. "We're here for a good time..."
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When I was 17 years old I went to see the Canadian band Trooper perform at an outdoor concert. It was rained out and postponed to the next day. The words to their opening song..."We're here for a good time, not a long time, so have a good time, the sun can't shine every day."
After a few days of cloudy, rainy weather I texted a best friend, "Rain, rain rain rain, no
fun." I wrote. "Darn, I'm having my chemo as I type, wanna switch places?" she replied. Of course this put everything into perspective. I was on vacation in a beautiful place, healthy, and strong, so what if I got a little wet?
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Paula, Betty and I, drinks and entertainment at the Keltic Lodge.
The floating boardwalk
and sand dunes, Greenwich, Prince Edward Island
3. Be Less Rigid, Live More!
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I enjoyed fudge, ice cream, stopped in a bakery for butter tarts, chips, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, fish and chips and beer, seafood chowder. I indulged in things I disallow myself at home. After all, I was burning a lot of calories and came home a few pounds lighter. But as long as I maintain my health and weight I can indulge a little more often instead of being so strict with my eating habits. Life is short, I need to remember to be
more flexible!
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Fish and Chips and beer before seeing my first Ceilidh. (Local music)
Sunset ocean view at a house I stayed at, Bay Fortune, PEI.
4 to 8.... Camping and traveling trivia
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4. A hand dryer in a campground is perfect for:
A hair dryer Drying out a tent or ground sheet Drying out a towel, bathing suit, clothes, etc
5. Prince Edward Island is not flat, is has a lot of very big, long rolling hills.
6. PEI is not small and distances are much farther than they appear, especially when fighting a head wind or going along the soft
gravel of the Confederation Trail.
7. It will rain, keep on going.
8. A solo woman on a fully loaded bike is quite a novelty and you will easily meet lots of people, locals and fellow travelers who want to hear about your trip and express opinions.
At one look out point on the Cabot Trail, a woman remarked, "You're better than me!" "Maybe not better, just stronger" I replied, not wanting her to put herself
down. "Stronger both physically and mentally," she replied, "I could never do that."
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Ingonish beach, a 5 minute walk through the woods, from my campground at Ingonish - Cabot Trail.
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Going over the very steep North Mountain on the Cabot Trail it started pouring rain, which can be dangerous as wet brakes don't work as well. My hands were sore from squeezing the brakes so hard, my feet and body were soaking wet and I got cold. I questioned why I had wanted to do the trip and told myself that when I got back home, I'd never bike again, Lol.
But it stopped raining before I got to the campground, I
had a nice hot shower, dinner and I spent a fun evening chatting and sharing a drink and some laughs with two really nice guys from the Adirondacks who were traveling by motorcycle.
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Fisherman cleaning his fish in North Rustico Harbour, PEI.
10. Give to everyone you can
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I am so in awe of everyone on my trip who went out of their way to help me out in so many ways. Even before I left, my friends lent me a bike, panniers and a tent. I had free places to stay, delicious meals, drinks. I was shown the sights, told all about the area and livelihood of the people. I had offers of rides with my bike, given thumbs up from the cars on the Cabot Trail. One couple (relatives of my sister's friend) even
lent me their car to see the sights!
I tried couch-surfing in North Rustico Harbour, PEI and my wonderful, generous host Blaine wrote in his profile that his philosophy is, "Take life a day at a time and try to make a positive difference in the peoples lives you touch."
I returned with a desire to see how I can also make a difference in the people's lives I touch. Even a friendly smile and wave to all those that I meet when cycling,
same as I was doing while on vacation. (which doesn't happen much in Montreal between cyclists, except maybe on the first bike rides in early spring.)
My goal is to continue to find more ways to give to and help others. What could be better?
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Cycling the Confederation
Trail, PEI
North Rustico Harbour PEI.
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For years I thought that if I wanted to cycle tour and camp I needed a partner to carry half the weight of the gear. I finally realized that wasn't true, and I achieved my goal.
As Napolean Hill said “Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve.”
Do you have a goal that you've been wanting to
achieve?
Cyndy, one of my clients wrote, "Not only did I reach my weight loss goal I had for 9 years, I have lost 25 pounds so far and maintained it since December."
If you have a health or weight loss goal, I can help! Contact me today!
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My Fall Weight Loss Support Group is filling up!I'm really excited about it, we already have a super group of highly motivated women on board. - Tired of not fitting into your clothes?
- Feeling deprived?
- Hate feeling guilty?
Start with... a one-on-one consultation, which gets you... your own personalized plan. And then... Be part of a group for fun,
laughter and support. We'll hold you accountable and help you instill your new healthy lifestyle. We'll not only cover weight loss and emotional eating, but all the key information you need to obtain optimal health and increased energy. Next group starts Thurs. Sept. 17th from 7 PM to 8:15 PM and runs for 13 weeks, $395.Limited to 10 participants. at Evolution Psychology Center, 1940 St Joseph, Lachine H8S 2N5 Reserve your
place now: 514-577-1963 or respond to this email
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To your natural health! Sue-Anne If you like this e-zine, feel free to forward it to a friend. If a friend did forward this to you and if you like what you read, please subscribe by visiting here. | |
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