the Urban Hiker

K – Knife

Posted on December 1, 2011 by Myk Carter

K is for Knife…

I’ve always loved having a knife. As I strive to live a minimalistic lifestyle I find it is one tool in my gear that has proven itself useful time and time again. Living in a modern society (with laws and corporate policies) I find it harder and harder to carry this tool with me in public, but on the occasions that I can, I find it invaluable.

In regards to Urban Hiking, I personally don’t feel there is any particular “brand” of knife you must have, but rather find a knife that best suits your needs. There a many types and styles of knives out there, and qualities will vary. A little time and online research will turn up information on knife costs and brands. The knife I currently use is a “cheap” ($15.00) quick deployment (not switchblade or automatic) folding pocket knife with a tanto style blade, with a partial serration on its 3 1/2 inch blade. I couldn’t tell you what the type of steel it is, but I’ve had it for about 8 months now and there is no rust.

There are several reasons I chose this knife:

1. Cost/Quality: If I lose the knife, it is stolen or I give it away, the knife wasn’t that expensive to begin with. At this price the quality is better than a “Dollar Store” knife, but since its Urban Hiking (versus outdoor survival in the Amazon) its more cost effective compared to some of the better quality knives (around $50 – $100). I’m not out to impress anybody with it, just myself.

2. Style: The quick deployment is a gimmick, and I admit it looks cool to me. The Tanto blade reminds me of the japanese Katanas (swords) and its style also appeals to me. In hindsight though (as I learn more about minimalism) the style is really not essential, except to your mind. As I learn to live with less I am learning to be more grateful with what I have, and the more grateful I become, there more I find beauty in the simplest designs.

3. Blade Length: This has more to do with laws than preference. In my city, the legal limit for a pocket knife is 3 1/2 inches. A sheath style knife (longer blade, full tang) is legal if its visible, but people tend to frown upon the sight of a knife in public. Even though the knife can be used a weapon (for self defense preferably, animals AND people) its function is primary as a tool. (standard cutting, improvised eating utensil)

One thing people are often confused about with minimalism is that they think its about living without, but its really about living with just what you need, nothing more, nothing less. And needs vary from person to person. As long as its serves a utilitarian purpose, you will find you don’t need extras of things, especially in a society where replacements are just a big box store away. Having a knife is a valuable and functional part of Urban Hiking (when you can carry one.)

Posted in Gear/Equipment | Tagged equipment, gear, K, knife, self defense, stuff, tools | Leave a comment

Quote of the moment

Posted on September 19, 2011 by Myk Carter

“If you are seeking creative ideas, go out walking. Angels whisper to a man when he goes for a walk.” ~Raymond Inmon

Posted in Quotes | Tagged Q, quote, Quotes | Leave a comment

J – Jogging

Posted on September 8, 2011 by Myk Carter

So I’ve decided to add some jogging to my Urban Hikes… the main reason is because I want to get to a point where I can run for an hour non-stop. This will allow me to run/jog to the bus stop in the morning to catch the bus instead of driving to the bus stop. I don’t have a time frame as to when this will be done, because I understand I have to make it a part of my routine, my life, or I won’t maintain it. I’m not in a hurry, I’ve made the Urban Hikes a part of my lifestyle now, so they aren’t work, they just… are a way of life.

So I pretty much have started with jogging until I tire, then instead of stopping I just walk as fast as I can (to rest) then jog again. It’s tough to do… but makes me love the hiking that much more. I’ve been doing this for about an hour, trying to get it in 3 to 4 times a week. The fall weather helps though. I may have to cut back though once the snow hits the ground, but I’ll continue the hikes and start the running back up in the spring. I’ll have a good start for 2012 by doing this.

I’m just happy I survived triple temperature hikes this summer. I’m going to savor the fall hiking and be ready for the winter hikes. I’ve got my winter hiking boots ready to go!

Posted in Gear/Equipment | Tagged boots, J, jogging, winter | Leave a comment

I – Interest

Posted on September 1, 2011 by Myk Carter

Being interested in something will only get you so far. It’s the action that’s difficult to do. Not just the action, but the continuous action of doing something. Being motivated isn’t always the problem. The problem is how does one continue to do something, even after the motivation wanes?

All my life I’ve had various interests in various subjects. I’d start all gung-ho on something only to find myself losing interest over time. Generally this isn’t a problem as there is so much to experience in life. The obstacle becomes when I have to continue to do something because I NEED to but don’t WANT to.

When I was diagnosed diabetic over 10 years ago it was very had for me to take. These days I look back at the struggles I’ve faced and realize that it took diabetes for me to live a healthier life. I wish it was just easy for me to say, “Hey, I’m diabetic, no problem, I’ll just start exercising and eating healthy” but I would be lying to you. It was and still is a struggle. But, over time, I’ve learned how to live this “new” life and am a bit excited in finding new ways to succeed.

Recently I’ve added short runs to my urban hikes. I had an epiphany the other day. If I could condition myself to run for 1 hour without stopping, I could run to the bus stop instead of drive my car. That would save me money AND be a health boost. I currently drive to the bus stop and then take the bus and walk part way to work (and back). I realize it will take time, but as I look back at my urban hiking and how much my body has adapted to it I’m confident I can succeed. I don’t have any timeline for this, just that each time I urban hike I will start running until I tire then hike (to rest) then run again. Over time I’ll succeed.

I just have to keep at it.

Posted in Fun | Tagged benefits, diabetes, fun, health, I, interest, money, motivation | 2 Comments

Hobo-Style

Posted on May 11, 2011 by Myk Carter

Those that know me (in real life and on facebook) will be familiar with a term I often used to describe some of the food I eat. That term is “hobo-style”.

Eating something “hobo-style” is how I describe, in a nutshell, eating something that is usually heated (and is often already cooked) at room temperature straight from the storage unit its kept in. This term is often used to describe the opening of, for example, a can of ravioli, and eating it straight out of the can.

Eating something hobo-style is practical in this day and age. In an urban environment we are often surrounded with opportunities to eat “fresh” and “hot” meals as we travel through the city. In an effort to save both time and money one can save achieve both by eating meals hobo-style. One can pack these items or purchase them from a variety of sources (thus saving unnecessary bulk/weight) along the trek. Eating hobo-style can be applied solely in the urban hiking sense, but soon you may find its easier just to eat this way daily. Your body doesn’t really care how you eat at the moment, its your mind that will cause you to react with pleasure or “pain”. Once you realize this, food becomes food. It becomes a tool, as it should be used.

Personally, I carry a small military (P38) style can opener with me as well as a hobo-tool (knife/fork/spoon combo) to save money over purchasing pull-tab cans. Of course, this is optional (the can opener) but makes for more flexibility when on the hike.

I mentioned a hobo-tool in the above statement. This is also optional, but some type of tool is needed to actually eat the food. If I don’t have my hobo-tool with me, I often carry the smallest size metal measuring spoon I own in my pocket. Smaller spoon means less weight and easier to carry as well as smaller portions, which will take me longer to eat the food. This in turn will make me feel fuller sooner. Spoons seem to work best, of course though many times you may have to improve with what you have on hand. I’ve used a stick before. I used my pocket knife to make a little “fork” spear tool with it.

Probably the biggest obstacle one might face eating hobo-style is that of social pressure. People may look at your weird when they see you eating like this. Often these are the same people that think its too much work to urban hike and fail to see the benefits associated with it.

Often… these are the same people that say they should go out and exercise themselves, but never seem to get around to doing it.

And you… you are doing it. With hobo-style!

This method of eating just makes urban hiking that much easier to integrate into your new or current lifestyle. Adaption and improvisation at work. And when you decide to sit down to a home “cooked” meal, you’ll soon appreciate it that much better.

Posted in Food, Gear/Equipment | Tagged food, H, lifestyle | Leave a comment

Quote of the moment

Posted on May 4, 2011 by Myk Carter

“A vigorous five-mile walk will do more good for an unhappy but otherwise healthy adult than all the medicine and psychology in the world.” ~Paul Dudley White

To supplement this blog (because I’m not posting as much as I thought I would) I offer to you… the occasional walking quote.

Enjoy!

Posted in Quotes | Tagged benefits, health, inspiration, Q, Quotes | Leave a comment

Gout

Posted on April 10, 2011 by Myk Carter

I have gout.

What is gout? It’s a type of arthritis that affects the joints. I suppose most arthritis does that. It’s a build up of excess uric acid. That acid then crystallizes in the joints and it makes it feel like shards of glass under the skin. Now imagine that… it feels 10 times worse. I’m not sure how I got it, but I do. But, I’m successfully managing it with medicine, diet and… urban hiking.

This is one of many motivators I have to urban hike. Since I’ve regularly started urban hiking I haven’t had a flair up in months, and a serious flair up hasn’t happened in almost 6 months. That’s about when I discovered that processed meats tend to cause it to flair up for me. Urban hiking allows the crystals to break up, and drinking lots of water helps keep my system flushed.

When I had my first flair up with gout, I had no idea what it was. I went to a podiatrist (because in happened in my foot) and was told I had a bone spur. Maybe it was, they showed me an x-ray of it. Another time it affected my knee and I was sent to a workman’s compensation clinic. I received physical therapy, but no diagnoses of gout. It was my doctor at the time that referred me to a specialist (during one of the worst episodes) where they stuck a needle in my knee to test the fluid build up.

Voila! An answer!

Needless to say, it’s all under control now. One doesn’t really appreciate the fact that they can walk until they can’t. I think that’s also a big motivator for me… I’m thankful I can walk…

So I do.

Posted in Health Benefits | Tagged arthritis, benefits, G, gout, health, pain, prevention, treatment | Leave a comment

FUN!

Posted on March 16, 2011 by Myk Carter

I believe the number one reason people have such a hard time sticking to exercise (and living life in general) is that they aren’t doing something that is fun. Sure, you may “think” its fun, whatever new diet or routine you decide will be “the one” to help you lose the weight, but after awhile, its no longer “fun” and becomes work. Then your desire is lowered. Then you find excuses or “reasons” not to do it. Then you stop doing it. Then you find something “new” and “improved” to make it fun again. Then the cycle starts over. That is, until you find the thing that works for you. Stop caring what others define fun as, they aren’t living your life.

Exercise can not be like a diet. It’s not a temporary thing. It has to become your lifestyle. Some people have the power to realize this and embrace it, while others won’t realize this and will keep failing. Their success is up to them. Life speaks to us but often we are too busy to listen, and so we fail again. Each failure is an opportunity though to learn. An opportunity most are too busy with life to see. But, once you see it, you can learn to see more opportunities. What’s the rush anyway? Each of us though won’t see these opportunities the same way, so any “tips” I may give are purely from my own experiences. Some we may share, but others we will not.

I have found that when I do something (work and exercise mostly), the primary goal isn’t to have fun… but to find fun in what I do. When I urban hike, what drives me is to accomplish a task. For example, I will hike to my pharmacy for medicine (on average a 2 hour hike). I need to do this, so I am driven to do it. I have a choice though. I can make life easier and take a car, but then I’m missing the opportunity to get my exercise in. By urban hiking I am getting many more benefits than if I was to drive. My primary goal is to get my medicine, and then to get home. My goals. The side benefits though are: I get to exercise. I get to spend alone time. I am undistracted. I have time to focus on whatever is on the radio. I have time to focus on a phone conversation with a friend. I have time to focus on my online game. I have time to focus on my video game. I find a ton of Coca-Cola product caps! (more on this in future posts.) I don’t have to spend money for a gym membership. I don’t have to cause wear and tear on my vehicle. I don’t have to pay for gas. Sure, I could join a gym, but how long will I stick to that? It would become work after awhile, it wouldn’t be fun. And then I’d be stuck paying a gym membership.

These benefits then continue to drive me to keep urban hiking. When I realized I could play video games, get on facebook, talk on the phone (all fun things to do) and still exercise, its a win win situation! It’s a win win life!

Every year people make resolutions to lose weight, but 6 monthes into it they’ve stopped. That’s because life is too convenient. We live in a world of convenience. You can choose though what really needs to be convenient. Driving for 10 minutes around a parking lot to find a parking space, while using up gas and time, or parking at the far end of the lot, away from other cars and getting some exercise in as you walk to the store entrance. Every chance you get to move should be taken. Be grateful you can still move while you can.

Fun is subjective. I tend to pick things that I believe will be fun in the long term. I no longer speed on the highway, though as fun as it may be, it wasn’t fun to pay the ticket. And if I ever got in a wreck, well, that would end that fun. Fun should be like healthy eating. If you eat a complex carbohydrate (like a whole grain bagel) as opposed to a simple sugar (french fries) you will feel full longer. The fun will last longer.

And the more fun you have doing what you do, the longer you’ll keep doing it. If you can’t do what you love, love what you do.

Posted in Fun | Tagged F, fun, goals | 2 Comments

Eggs

Posted on February 27, 2011 by Myk Carter

One thing I told myself when I started blogging was that when I went to do it, that’s ALL I would be doing for whatever amount of time I get allotted by the library system. Depending on which
library I go to, it’s anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour and fifteen minutes. If I get done with my topic early, then great, THEN I’ll get on facebook or one of my text role playing games. I can’t do it the other way around… I’ll never get to it. I can’t seem to get focused by playing games first.

I’m on one of my urban hikes now, just hiked 2 hours, then stopped at a local theatre for a movie (Gnomeo and Juliet) and then at the grocery store for some lunch. That’s one of the great things about urban hiking… its VERY flexible, the only requirement is that you actually get up and MOVE for over an hour. After this session I have another 2 hours then I’m done for the day (hiking).

Eggs… yup, that’s today’s topic. Well, eggs and food in general. If you are actually hiking then you may be interesting in eating somewhat healthy? Or maybe not, and hiking is to counter act
some of the effects of eating fast food and such? Who knows? Who cares? Do what YOU do. I’ll hike how I hike for the reasons I want and understand. That being said, I do make efforts to eat healthy
especially since I’m a Type II diabetic and have high blood pressure. These conditions give me extra incentive to get up and move. Eggs play a big part of my diet because they are protein, relatively cheap compared to actual cuts of meat, and have no carbohydrates (sugars). That’s the big draw for me. The downsides of eggs (especially while actually hiking) is that they are not so portable or convenient to eat while on the hike since they require refrigeration. Since urban hiking is a lifestyle for me, they are relegated to eating at home, unless I decide to stop at an IHOP for lunch, then its omelets for lunch or dinner.

I’m pretty easy to please and having diabetes really limits my food choices, but this is actually a good thing. I really have a tendency to get excited with things and go overboard, so watching my health really gives me boundaries as far as exercise and food. Being easy to please also means I’m willing to experiment with different food combinations. Eggs and cheese, eggs and peppers, eggs and peppers and cheese… you name it, I’ll try it. My latest fascination with eggs is tabasco sauce.

My last a1c test for diabetes came out a 5.2, the one before that a 5.8. With test results I’m convinced that the key for me to managing my diabetes is with limited carbohydrates and more protein foods. The next part of my plan is to cut out fatty and processed meats, to aid with weightloss. That presents a challenge since lean meats are either not always available while on the hike. Just like life, I’m taking it day by day and learning along the way. I’m confident I’ll get over this hurdle. The reward is that if I can lose 25 more pounds my doctor is confident I can be taken off my diabetes and blood pressure medicines.

If I had a better reason to Urban Hike, I can’t think of it right now.

Posted in Food, Gear/Equipment | Tagged E, eggs, equipment, food, gear, goals, hope | Leave a comment

Dogs

Posted on February 7, 2011 by Myk Carter

The letter “D”… so many things to say… might as well start with dogs.

The areas I urban hike really aren’t that bad when it comes to dogs. The occasional dog I do meet (running free) usually just wants to be left alone. In fact, I believe only once have I met a dog that was unleashed and stood there barking at me. I just kinda stood there then slowly walked away. I DID have my trekking pole in hand, just in case I had to defend myself. I’ve read all sorts of advice on handling a dog. I stood my ground for awhile but when I realized the dog was more bark than bite I slowly started walking away. The dog left me alone.

Most dogs I meet are either chained up or on a balcony or behind a fence. I understand they are just trying to protect their own, and I can respect that. We all want to protect our own. I leave them alone, they leave me alone. Kinda like strangers I meet while urban hiking. I meet the occasional panhandler, but really, there aren’t that many people roaming the streets. At least like I do.

For protection (mainly from the dogs) I do carry a collapsible trekking pole. For days where I don’t plan on doing any shopping during my hikes I also carry a wooden walking stick or pole. Sometimes I’ll carry a small pocket knife, but lately the trekking pole has been, I feel, enough protection for me. The one I currently use attaches nicely to my backpack.

One day, I hope to have another dog. A chihuahua… my favourite dogs.

For the most part, at least in my city, urban hiking is relatively safe. Sure, there ARE dangers (letter “D”) but a little common sense makes this activity one of the safer forms of exercise.

Posted in Dangers, Gear/Equipment | Tagged animals, D, equipment, gear | Leave a comment