I sit here in awe at the fact that 2021 is gone. It was a trying year here in BC! First off, The pandemic kicked the snot out of so many folks with forced separation from loved ones, muted holidays, so many small businesses shuttering their doors forever and the general drain on our collective emotional state. This summer we suffered through what is referred to as a “Heat dome”.. basically a heat wave that saw temperatures in excess of 40 degrees Celsius (104 F for my American friends) coupled with a wildfire season that saw the total destruction of Lytton, BC, a nice little village in the Fraser Canyon. Not happy with only two lousy things, November brought us rainfall in amounts rarely seen. The flooding wiped out all driving routes out of the Lower Mainland area and absolutely decimated the farming area known as the Sumas Prairie. Sadly, four lives were taken by a sudden mudslide on Highway 99, north of Whistler, BC . Towards the last month of the year, Covid decided to mutate once again, causing lockdowns to be imposed once again, just in time for Christmas! Then to cap it all off, the world lost Betty White on the last day of the year. I sit here in Awe of the fact that most of us are still here.
Now what? What does this next year have in store for us? I’m not sure about you but, I’m not just going to sit around and find out. I have my own plans and I’m getting sick and tired of sitting around waiting for “Things to settle down”. I have decided to set some goals for myself, not resolutions mind you… GOALS. I also have a few things planned that were postponed that are finally going to happen in the upcoming year. I finally realized how much of my life I spend waiting for the right time to do something.
As some of you know, I’ve taken to eating a “Keto like” diet. This is a low carb/high fat approach to eating. It helped cure me of diabetes and kept me feeling quite healthy. My lack of activity during the spread of Covid has had some negative side affects on me and my energy levels and this needs to be addressed. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not filling up on junk food and sugary treats, I’ve just spent way too much time sitting around feeling bad about myself for not going out. See how that one just kind of snowballs? Sit around.. feel bad about it… not feel like doing anything but sit around.. feel bad about it.. Goes on and on…. So I said… ENOUGH! I have a few simple goals I would like to reach this year:
- Be able to do 50 pushups in a row
- Be able to do 50 sit-ups in a row
- Walk up the “Coquitlam Crunch“
- Run up the “Coquitlam Crunch”
- Do the Grouse Grind
If that list seems short to you. remember, I’m currently an out of shape 52 year old guy. I’m going to start easy and work my way up, I’m not insane. Much of this will get me into better shape for riding season as well. That first ride of the season is always a killer and being in better shape means going for longer rides. Speaking of longer rides, another of my goals for the upcoming year is to put out at least three ride videos. I live in a beautiful place and will try to share some of it with you.
Another of my goals for 2022 is all about eating.. well, cooking. I’m going to try to learn at least ten new Keto meal recipes. I’m a pretty simple guy and I’m not a fan of many of the recipes out there (Avocados and I do NOT get along) so simple and tasty is what I’m chasing. I already have a little head start on this one…. I found a great recipe for Taco Soup. It was so good! As I perfect each recipe I’ll start posting them here.
One other thing I’m doing this year…. I’m going back to school. It’s a single course that will hopefully help advance my career. I’m a little nervous about it but hey, life’s an adventure right? I found out today they’re moving it fully online.. Thanks COVID!
There it is in a nutshell… getting off my butt to get back to health, improving my cooking skills, getting educated and let’s not forget…..
Getting on the bike for some West Coast adventure!!
See you on the road
Nick
SeeNickRide 