Tag Archives: Walking

Motivational Meatball Monday: iWalk 3.41 miles 😋👨🏻‍🦯

September 7, 2026 by Steve 2 Comments

The Pond…

A tranquil, calm pond surrounded by dense green trees under an overcast, light blue sky. Lush vegetation and reeds frame the foreground near the water's edge.

Hi Friends.

I think Monday gets a bad rap…The weekend is over, the alarm goes off, and suddenly we’re expected to be productive, motivated and disciplined again. So I reckon we need something a little more exciting to get the week started.

Enter… Motivational Meatball Monday!

Today’s trail was nice and empty with not many people at all to smash into…I mean to say ‘Morning’ and be cheerful, lol! 😀 And after the nice trail, I think I’ve earned some motivational meatballs. Tonight’s dinner comes courtesy of one of my SimplyCook recipes: Hot Cajun Meatballs.

Regular readers might already recognise the SimplyCook name because it has made a rather unexpected appearance on this blog before. In fact, one of their recipes was the inspiration for my song “Sarah’s Tamil Chicken”…Yes, really! 😲

Somewhere between a recipe box and a chicken dinner, a song happened. That’s the slightly strange world of my blog.

Tonight we’re going in a rather different direction, though. No Tamil curry this time. We’re heading over to Louisiana (hey that’s near Florida, lol) with Hot Cajun Meatballs. This dish brings together beef meatballs, Cajun seasoning, peppers, tomatoes and a fiery hot pepper sauce, served over rice. The SimplyCook Cajun seasoning contains 14 different ingredients, including paprika, coriander, garlic and celery salt, so there’s plenty going on flavour-wise. Best of all, SimplyCook puts the calories at approximately 650 calories per portion when serving two…Well a few more as I always have to add baby chestnut mushrooms! 💪🏼

That’s what I like about meals like this. Eating with fitness and weight loss in mind doesn’t have to mean eating bland chicken breast and steamed broccoli until you lose the will to live. You can also choose to have a meal that’s going to blow your head off, lol. Or food that is still proper tasty! Whilst you’re still making sensible choices obviously. 🤣

The Monday motivation

“Taylor’s Turbo Turn” Audio GPS Marker…

A winding dirt path curving through a dense forest lined with lush green foliage, tall trees, and patches of brownish-orange ferns along the ground.

For me, staying on track isn’t about being perfect. It’s about making enough good choices, often enough, that they eventually add up. Today that meant getting back out onto the trail and completing a lap. And tonight it means sitting down to a meal that sounds indulgent but can still fit into the bigger picture. A tasty meal doesn’t have to derail your progress. Neither does enjoying your food. In fact, I think enjoying what you eat makes it much easier to stick with a healthier lifestyle for the long haul.

So today I’m celebrating a little bit of trail progress with a little bit of Cajun heat. One lap. One tasty dinner. One Monday that’s gone rather better than expected…Because apparently motivation comes in meatball form. And if that’s not a reason to look forward to Monday, I’m not sure what is!

motivational Quote…

“Progress isn’t always about going further. Sometimes it’s simply about finding your way back to where you thought you couldn’t go.”

Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2026 Together! 💪🏼

Article 4 2day, BlindSteve, Health & Fitness, Muscle Of Faith, Walking
, , , , , , ,

Motivational Monday: iWalk 3.46 miles 🙏👨🏻‍🦯

August 24, 2026 by Steve 2 Comments

The Pond Panorama…

Water & Lighting: Bright, intense sunlight glares off the body of water, creating a strong white reflection across the center of the pond. The water appears calm, with subtle green surface vegetation or algae patches near the edges. Surrounding Foliage: Lush leafy trees flank both sides of the frame, framing the water. A soft reddish-orange foliage bush sits at the lower-left foreground, while dense green canopies block out much of the sky. Path & Terrain: A gravel or dirt walking path runs along the right side of the pond, bordered by low shrubs and overhanging branches, curving slightly out of view.

Hi Friends.

There were no dramas on this morning’s walk, and that’s exactly what i want. After some of the hotter weather we’ve had recently, it was lovely to get out early while the temperature was much cooler. The difference was noticeable, and it made the walk feel far more comfortable from the start.

I covered 3.46 miles in an hour, keeping a steady pace throughout. There was also around 230 feet of elevation gain, so it wasn’t completely flat sailing. The effort felt moderate and controlled, which is exactly what I was looking for. But as always, the numbers aren’t really the point…The point is that I got out there! 💪🏼

“Karen’s Kaleidoscope” Panorama…

Pathway: A wide, smooth dirt/gravel trail extends from the lower-left foreground and curves gently toward the background through the forest. Trees & Canopy: Thin, multi-stemmed deciduous trees and saplings cluster along the edge of the path. A taller, thicker tree trunk stands prominently near the inner curve of the trail. The overhead canopy is dense with vibrant green leaves, filtering soft daylight. Forest Floor: The ground on either side of the path is covered with dry fallen leaves, underbrush, and small scattered plants.

I kept moving, enjoyed the morning and took the time to actually look around me. I stopped to take a couple of panoramas too. The first was taken straight into the morning sun, which gave it a very different feel, and the second captured a view of “Karen’s Kaleidoscope”…We had a nice lunch with her yesterday, so I had to stop and take of photo! 😀It’s easy to think that progress only counts when we’re going faster, going further or achieving something spectacular.

motivational Quote…

“Don’t measure your progress only by how far you’ve travelled. Sometimes the greatest victory is simply choosing to keep moving.”

Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2026 Together! 💪🏼

Article 4 2day, BlindSteve, Health & Fitness, Muscle Of Faith, Walking
, , , , , , ,

Support Blind Steve in the Diabetes UK – One Million Step Challenge! 

July 21, 2022 by Steve 0 Comments

“Diabetes is relentless and simply never stops…But neither do I!” – Blind Steve 💪🏼 

Hi iChristian Family!!

The blindman is off the sidelines again…And while God gives me the strength in my legs…i’ll use them for doing crazy fundraising challenges to help others! I really didn’t want to fill this blog with annoying fundraising asks, as my last fundraiser ‘Trail Marathon‘ was only in April 2022…But you know me…And when i stumbled across this ‘One Million Step Challenge’ and found it was for Diabetes UK i just had to do something! 

For the last 18 years since meeting my ‘T1D Warrior Wife Sarah’, i’ve always wanted to be a ‘Sarah’s Walking Warrior’ and raise money for Diabetes…So here is the 4th ‘Blind Steve’ fundraising challenge…💪🏼 

Quick Link to my fundraising page: https://step.diabetes.org.uk/fundraising/steve270

Below is the story taken from my fundraising page…

Support Blind Steve in the Diabetes UK – One Million Step Challenge

Diabetes is relentless and simply never stops…But neither do I!

For the last 18 years i’ve seen first hand how my lovely wife Sarah battles, struggles and copes with her ‘brittle Type 1’ diabetes. She’s such a warrior and is truly my inspiration on perseverance, determination and drive to keep fighting. 

So last week, when I heard of the ‘One Million Step Challenge’  i had to sign up straight away. I’ve always wanted to fundraise for Diabetes UK and show Sarah how much it means to me too, and this is my chance! 

I realise this challenge has already started (running from 1st July to 30th September 2022). Requiring participants to walk a million steps over those three months. My cunning plan is to start the challenge on Monday 1st August and try and walk the one million steps in two months instead! This works out at over 16,000 steps each day, for the 61 days, without a rest

Type 1 diabetes never gives Sarah a rest, so I don’t want to have one either during my fundraising challenge…The nature reserve trail is going to get a pounding again, lol! 🤣 

Quick Factoid…

Did you know someone is diagnosed with diabetes every two minutes? As many as 4.8 million people are living with diabetes in the UK right now.

So if you’re feeling inspired…Please hit the donate button and support my stepping challenge. Every step and every donation counts. Join me and let’s help everybody living with diabetes. For all the mums, dads, wives, husbands, sisters, brothers, sons, daughters, grandparents, and best friends, creating a world where diabetes can do no harm.

Let’s get this party started!! 🎉 As 1 Million steps is around 500 miles, i’ve already donated 5p per mile (£25.00)…It’s going to be a really tough challenge and it’s the furthest i”ve ever walked…But i’ve got to do the steps now!!

Every penny given will go towards Diabetes UK care and support services, advice and guidance, and pioneering research. Together, we’re changing the world for people with diabetes.

Thank you so much, Steve! ❤️

Article 4 2day, Blind Sightseers, Daily Armour, Health & Fitness, Inspired, iReminisce, Love, My Thoughts, Photos, Quote 4 2day!
, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Yay…My MS Society T-Shirt! 🤣

November 15, 2021 by Steve 4 Comments

Yesterday my lovely wife Sarah came out on the trail with me, and she took some photos of me wearing the amazingly bright t-shirt the MS Society gave me to help promote their great charity during my trail marathon training! It was freezing cold and raining but that didn’t stop us…Until it proper chucked it down and we had to get home fast, lol! 💪🏼 😀 

Article 4 2day, Blind Sightseers, Daily Armour, Food 4 2day!
, , , , ,

‘Steve’s Blindman Trail Marathon’ in memory of my mum Valerie ❤️

September 24, 2021 by Steve 0 Comments

Hi all, this is the official release for my fundraising towards my brobdingnagian challenge…It’s exactly 7 calendar months until my trail marathon! 💪🏼 

‘Steve’s Blindman Trail Marathon’ in memory of my mum Valerie ❤️

I’m planning to step off the sidelines again soon… this time in memory of my wonderful mum, Valerie who died after a 14 yr struggle with Multiple Sclerosis, in the same month that I was registered blind.
I’ve always wanted to do something positive to celebrate her life and as you may know, my lovely wife Sarah has just started work at the MS Society. I can think of no better time or charity to make my fundraising in memory wish come true and I can finally add my mums name to the MS Society fight to stop MS. 💪🏼

I know I’ll be stretching myself past my limits for this challenge and so your encouragement and support would really help me to keep my training on track. Any donation you can spare would build my morale and endurance so I can smash this and reach my £1,000 goal to make my mum proud.

Together we can be a force for change and BEAT MS

1 MS Society Banner Marathon 001

Steve’s Blindman Trail Marathon
Fundraising for Multiple Sclerosis SocietyIn Memory of my mum Valerie

Story…

Hi, I’ve chosen to raise funds for MS Society and I’d love everyone who kindly decides to support me and this amazing charity, to take a moment to remember my lovely Mum Valerie!

She spent so much of her too short life giving to me and my siblings before MS took her independence and eventually her life. This is why I’ve decided to give something positive back. I want her name and face to join the fight so that she can live on through the tireless work the MS Society is doing to find treatments that will stop MS for good. 💪🏼

My beautiful mum passed away from progressive MS, after a courageous and tiring 14 year battle, in July 2000.

As you may know I’ve been registered blind since I was 25. My sight loss happened in the same month my mum finally lost her life and missing her added misery to my own struggle to come to terms with the isolation and insecurities of managing my new life as a blind man.

And so…….

My Challenge…Sunday 24th April 2022

I originally planned to take part in an MS officially organised event but quickly realised that with my sight loss walking an unknown route amongst so many people would create too much external stimuli on my senses and be too confusing for me to manage without serious injury.

I was worried I wouldn’t be able to do the challenge at all but I’ve finally found a safe(ish) trail about 2.5 miles long, in the woods and past a lake near my home. I am hoping this will work well as my walking route, (I’ve now learned it enough to be able to follow it without guided help). I think this trail will work really well for me to do my trail marathon challenge … if I can manage to make my way safely around this uneven, hilly, rough terrain about 11 times! 😰

I’ve begun to realise, as I write about this challenge during the start of my training, that I’ve only managed 2 laps each time so far, after which I collapse, needing water and food, lol! I have no idea how I’m going to continue for 11 laps non-stop but I’ve got seven more months to build up my strength and endurance… I hope. 🙏

It’s slowly dawning on me that this challenge is going to include around 8 hours non-stop blind walking… Ouch that’s going to hurt and take a lot of concentration, mental effort, strength, energy and discipline. And so before I get time to change my mind, I’ve decided to create a JustGiving fundraising page and I’ve notified the MS Society…so no backing out now 🤣.

Please help me complete what feels like an impossible challenge in memory of my wonderful mum… because Together we are strong enough to beat MS. 💪🏼

You can follow my training over the next 7 months on my Fitblitz blog and I will use my apple watch to count the steps, miles and elevation etc of the challenge, uploading the screenshots to let you know of my adventures and celebrate with me if I finish, lol! 🙌  

About Multiple Sclerosis Society

Over 130,000 of us in the UK have MS. It’s unpredictable and different for everyone. But it doesn’t have to be this way. We’re the MS Society. We understand what life’s like with MS. We’re here for you through the highs, lows and everything in between. Together, we are strong enough to stop MS.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Click HERE for my JustGiving page.

QR Code for my JustGiving page: 

Please click of hold your camera at this QR code for my Blindman Trail Marathon JustGiving page

Article 4 2day, Daily Armour, Food 4 2day!, Health & Fitness, Inspired, Love, My Thoughts, Photos
, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Join Us To Eat Well & Move More! 💪🏼 😀

March 19, 2021 by Steve 0 Comments

Activ8 Logo

Hi friends…💪🏼 😀 

Are you making yourself attractive to Cancer? 🤔  

Sarah and I have just signed up for the “Activ8 Plan” with World Cancer Research Fund as part of Cancer Prevention Awareness Week. So for once I’m not fundraising and bombarding you with donation asks, just sharing information to raise awareness of the benefits of a healthy lifestyle lol! 🤣 

You may not be aware (like me) of all the lifestyle choices we make that can affect our cancer risk. 😲  

Info taken from the World Cancer Research Fund website… 

What is Cancer Prevention Awareness Week?

 Cancer Prevention Awareness Week is an annual event where we draw awareness to cancer and cancer prevention. Currently, 40% of people diagnosed are diagnosed with a cancer that could have been prevented.

Knowing what you need to do and making small, consistent changes to the lives of you and your loved ones can help you avoid preventable cancers. …..

Activ8: Eat Well, Move More…
We’ve also launched a healthy living programme to support people who want to eat better and move more.

By signing up, you’ll get 8 weeks’ worth of motivational emails, which will include links to specific nutrition and physical activity resources such as tip-sheets and videos, as well as live support from our experts.

Make preventing cancer part of your everyday life. By following our Cancer Prevention Recommendations you’re giving yourself the best chance of reducing the risk of at least 12 types of cancer. Take action today!

 I can’t thank you guys enough for all of the support you’ve given Sarah & me over the years!! I encourage you to join us on this challenge so that you too can protect yourselves against cancer and lead happier, healthier lives….  Thank you and God Bless. 💪🏼 😀 
 
Article 4 2day, Daily Armour, Food 4 2day!, Health & Fitness, Inspired, My Thoughts, Quote 4 2day!, WCRF
, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Weekly Photo Challenge: The Sign Says

June 1, 2013 by Steve 41 Comments

Pedestrians Sign

This weeks photo challenge by The Daily Post 

The Old Lighthouse Street Sign

Description

I couldn’t decide between the ‘walk on the water’ sign I took in London, or ‘Lighthouse’ which is our fave holiday destination in Hunstanton, Norfolk! 🙂

Article 4 2day
, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

A Walk of Witness – The Cross Walk

March 29, 2013 by Steve 4 Comments

 

Cross walk

Cross walk 2

Cross walk 3

Women witness

Jesus on the cross

Jesus on the cross

 

Quote 4 2day 💬 

“The Cross is a picture of violence, yet the key to peace, a picture of suffering, yet the key to healing, a picture of death, yet the key to life. – David Watson

Epsom town centre was blessed with the incredibly moving reenactment of the events of Good Friday. It was really emotional to be apart of it. The actors were fantastic and it really drove home the message of how Jesus suffered and died for our sins.

A big thanks to my Christian brother Ben for taking my camera and getting some great shots of the costumes and the cross for me as I was in the crowd and couldn’t see anything! 😀

 

Camera used – Canon PowerShot SX40 HS

© Ben Scadden

 

My Thoughts, Quote 4 2day!
, , , , , ,

Sunset 4

March 9, 2013 by Steve 1 Comment

Sunset on hunstanton beach

Description

Taken walking along Old Hunstanton Beach, Norfolk.

 Camera used – Nikon D2Xs

 

Article 4 2day
, , , , , ,

Boxhill

March 2, 2013 by Steve 2 Comments

Boxhill

Description

Sarah & I had a lovely day walking up and around Boxhill. We managed to get a little lost but at least i got a nice shot to remember the day! 😀

 Camera used – SONY Alpha a100

 

Article 4 2day
, , , , , , , , , , , ,