Flash Flood Warning for South Fulton, Atlanta

The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning, today, Thursday evening until 12:45 in the morning.  The rain can reach 6 inches in the area. People are advised not to drive in areas where water is on the road, according to the National Weather Service. If you are in this area, you should move to higher ground and avoid driving.

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I just found out that a tornado hit Southern California. They are saying that the earthquake had a "magnitude of 5.8," according to the Atlanta Journal. The Atlanta Journal also reported that some people were evacuated. We don’t know if there was any damage yet.

If you are in the Atlanta area, Zoo Atlanta is a good place to visit for a staycation. Have you been to the zoo lately?

This past Wednesday, I wrote about my experiences at the gym. Here is a video, where I am actually describing what happened during my visits with a trainer.

Here is an update on my vacation bikini fine challenge. I’m still at 130 pounds. You may recall, that I mentioned that I have been going to a trainer. I had the second session today, and let me tell you that for me, working out with a trainer has made all the difference. I have a warm fuzzy feeling knowing that I am at least working out correctly with the weights and machines. It also feels great to know that I am working out with a partner who understands my fitness goals. We had a discussion about them and we even looked at a picture in one of those muscle magazines to make sure that he visualized where I want to be.

I worked out with the trainer on Monday and today. On Monday, we worked legs. I did a bunch of walking lunges, squats, and worked out with a machine. I’m giving you all the abbreviated version of my work-out. I was tired at the end and slightly sore the following day. Today we worked my back, shoulders and arms. You have to start somewhere, and I could only lift about 10 pounds over my head. Five pounds would have been more my speed. So, if you all are nervous about going to the gym and working out, I’m here to let you know that I can only lift 10 pounds and I’m in there.  I struggled with the 10 pounds. It felt like 25 or 50 or something. If I can lift weights, you can do it too. You don’t have to go to the gym, discount stores sell weights these days.

I feel a lot better about working with a trainer because I think that I need that extra push to reach my fitness goals. I wouldn’t have tried to lift the 10 pounds had he not put the weights in my hands and told me to "go."  If you are unable to get a trainer, maybe some of you should consider having a workout partner.

Anyway, I want to hear from you! Tell me how you are working out! What are you doing? What are your goals? Let’s stay motivated. Oh, and yes. I did tell my trainer about my desire to run a 5k. I really just want to have the stamina to be able to finish a 5k. I’m not there yet, guys!

According to the National Weather Center, Hurricane Dolly sustained winds are at 85 miles per hour and warnings have gone out for the Texas coast (Brownsville) and Mexico up to Corpus Christi.  The weather center also reports that there is a hurricane warning for the Northeastern coast of Mexico from San Rio San Fernando to the Mexican border.  Visitors and residents are urged to get to safety.

Dolly may become a category 2 hurricane later today, and widespread flooding is expected,along with isolated tornados Texas, the National Weather Center Reports.

Have A Plan

Please everyone, if you are asked to evacuate, please do so immediately. According to the National Weather service, you should also have a plan for your pets. I remember when I was in North Carolina (two hurricanes hit one after the other when I lived there) and this poor woman was sitting in the car with her dog during a hurricane warning. She was in the parking lot of a hurricane shelter, which was a local school.

Where is Your Emergency Kit?

The National Weather Service has a list of some items that you should have in an emergency kit. In addition to the kit, the NWS recommends that your car tanks are full.

Prepare Your House for a Hurricane

Yes. The National Weather Service also has information on how to prepare your house and other property for a hurricane. If you are not in danger, make sure that you have the supplies you need in case there is a hurricane in your area.

Do You Have Flood Insurance?

Hey, you all, remember flood insurance if often not included in typical insurance plans. Check with your insurance company now. And make sure that if there are any levees near you, see if those burst it would be covered. There is a number that you can call for flood insurance information if you are in the United States. Call 1-888-CALL-FLOOD ext. 445.

I just wanted to share a recipe for those of you who are trying to lose weight over the summer months for your vacations! Even if you stay at home, the summer is a good time to start trimming down. As I mentioned yesterday, I had a session with a trainer yesterday and I’m alive to tell you about it. You have to wait until tomorrow, though. I’ll share the details on my Weigh In Wednesday post. Peace and love!

Gas prices are out of this world. We all know that. Gas in the Atlanta metro area is around $3.99 a gallon. You can, however, salvage some summer fun by going on a staycation. There’s nothing wrong with going to your local zoo, a museum, or spending the weekend at a state park this summer. Some critics claim that these short, hometown vacations are nothing more than day trips and are not true vacations. Whatever you want to call it, I find that most people don’t take advantage of attractions, culture, and fun, right in their own hometown. And, hey, if you feel that you must glamorize your staycation by spending a week in a hotel, so be it. When the hotel attendants ask you where you are from, tell them that you are local. If you get the munchies in your hotel room, I bet that you’ll know where to find the nearest grocery store.

I took a staycation this summer, and had no shame in telling the front desk at a hotel that I’m local. What about you? Have any of you taken a staycation? Let me know, even if you didn’t stay overnight, but spent a little more time exploring your own town. I’d love to hear from you.

  According to Weather.com, a tropical depression is forming along the Southeastern coast. A tropical depression may have maximum sustained winds of 38 mph, according to FEMA. So, if you are traveling near Georgia and South Carolina, be aware of bad weather in the making. In fact, according to Weather.com, flash flood alerts had been sent out for coastal towns in both Georgia and in South Carolina. Swimming may be a hazard in these areas.

If you end up driving during a tropical depression or a severe storm, seek shelter. At the very least, you should pull over onto the shoulder of the road if you are on an interstate or highway during a heavy downpour. Hey, I used to think that it was safe to be in the car during a thunderstorm, but I found out on the FEMA site that rubber tires will not protect you against lightening. The site FEMA, did say that it’s best to be inside of a car than outside of it during a thunderstorm. It will certainly be more comfortable to be in the car than outside of it during a storm in my opinion.

Some people turn on their hazard lights during a storm so that others can see them on the road. Do you do that? What do you think about people who do?

Photo Credit: Photo by Westin Boyd, Flickr Creative Commons License