I am going to take a minute to brag about myself, because I don't often get to do it. In fact I can't recall the last time I did something well enough to even consider bragging. Unless you count that I gave birth to 3 pretty good looking kids in spite of myself. Just kidding, but they are cute aren't they.
Anyway, earlier this year (I know it's only 21 days into it). I decided it really was time to make a change in terms of my health. I have said it every year, just for the sake of saying it but there never was any REAL follow through. Nothing that went beyond a couple weeks.
During the last few months of 2008 I decided to really take stock in my daily habits to see where I could improve. Of course my diet was a main source of my frustration. It really is a pain to be married to someone who can eat his own body weight in food everyday and be 2 pounds down by the end of the week. Frustrating to say the least. It just doesn't seem fair.
It also doesn't help that I tend to be an instant gratification kind of person, you know I want instant results. For instance, if I work out 4 days in a week and eat well in addition to that I want to be back into that size 8 pair of jeans..................ok that was a REALLY LONG time ago but you get my drift. Obviously, as it is no surprise to everyone, things just don't work that way.
So down 20 pounds with many more to go, I had stalled out. I decided it was time to be done with the self pity and finally make it happen. I knew eventually this day would come and I would have to add exercise.............much to my dismay. Not that I hate working out, I love the thought of it. You see those people jogging down the road, listening to their Ipod's and they make it look so easy. It is getting started that is so hard. Finding something you enjoy enough to stick with is the trick. Joining a gym was not an option, too much money (especially at this time) not enough hours in a day to coordinate a trip there either. I started riding my bike to work, course now the weather isn't the greatest and I'm not to keen on riding the bike path in the dark. I was introduced to the BL exercise dvd's (you know who you are, thanks) and those have been great (I mean who doesn't love Bob)? The issue w/those is that I have to get up at the butt crack of dawn and that wakes the kids up. Also getting up that early is really hard for me. I am still adjusting to not being on night shift. So early rising is not something I excel in.
So I decided to start walking. My ultimate goal is to walk the Portland marathon in October 2009 (anyone interested in joining me let me know). So I set a goal of walking 500 miles this year, that is on average 9.5 miles a week, give or take a 1/4 mile or so. It seemed easy. I mean walking? Really? How hard could it be? Well if you want to finish on the same day.................just kidding. Needless to say it is more challenging than I thought. And walking as much as I have been, is kinda kickin' my behind.
This week I walked 17.2 miles in 5 days.................this is where I brag. While maybe not impressive to most, it is a huge step for me in my ultimate goal to be a healthier me. So far this year (I know 21 days) I have gone 28.2 miles. I am confident I will make my goal of 500 miles this year. As far as the marathon I am hopeful I will finish with a respectable time. Though I have MANY more months till that day comes. You know what? I actually enjoy walking too, who knew?
Happy Walkin'
No comments:
Post a Comment