I’m usually lurking around getting inspiration from everyone’s progress but I want to share my progress…I’ve started walking! This is a big achievement as I have been relying much too much on the elevator at work, etc.

A few year’s ago I lost about 70 pounds and was doing great! I belonged to a gym but got most of my exercise from 2 mile walks every other day. Then I stopped walking and I gained it all back, plus more! Oddly enough I really like to exercise, once I get started. I truly enjoy the rush experienced from physical activity, strange but true. Well after much too long being sedentary I finally had a great day exercising today!

It was sunny, in the 40's and great for walking so I started out planning to go just down the street about four blocks and back. (Our town has quite a few hills, especially the downtown area). When I got to the point that I planned to turn around and head back, I felt so good that I kept going! Next thing I know, I ended up at my friends’ house, which is 15 blocks or just over 1 mile from my office. I was so far from work, knowing that I was on the verge of overdoing it, she gave me a ride back to work! Luckily it was my day off so it didn’t matter that I had worked up quite a sweat. (Yup, I’m one of those people who pop by work on their days off).

Now that I’ve been out and about, and didn’t do myself in, I’m eager to try to get some walking in during my workdays. I might even head in to work early so I can walk around the big block early (1 mile) or walk on my 15 minute and 30 minute lunch breaks!!!

Miz M

Way to go. Sounds like you are doing good. Keep it up!

What excellent news!!!!

Sounds like you had a good day. I must admit I do most of my walking indoors, but I found a site that might encourage me to walk down to the lakeshore in the spring. If nothing else, I realized that one of the parks is only 2 miles away from where I live.

http://www.mapmywalk.com/

Although registration adds many features you can still do a route and save anonymously if you don't want to register.

I started 25 minute walks on Sunday. I've been measuring by time rather than distance (adding 5 mins each week). I used the Google gmap pedometer yesterday and realized that this week I've started walking a mile! It's a small victory in my war on fat, but a victory none the less.

CONGRATS YAYAISM! Thats fantastic

My mom and I started walking at a quarter mile around walking park with benches the whole way around it. That way I could stop at each bench, we still walked around 4 times which is 1 mile.....Now we go on two mile hikes and when we walk we don't need benches were still severely overweight but were actually doing it and loving it!

2 miles! Wow! It'll be a while before I can handle that much in one walk. My caps off to you!

It's been pouring rain all day, and I was really fighting with myself about doing my walk. Funny though because I WANTED to get out there, but the weather was holding me off. I finally decided that I wasn't going let it break my stride.

I love walking too but I'm having issues with my feet cramping up pretty badly.. i even bought new running shoes and my feet still hurt.. My heart and head want to go longer but the darned feet won't comply! Anyone else having this problem? :-/

All running/walking shoes are not created equal. You may not have gotten the right type of shoes for you. This is something I've just recently discovered, and believe me it can make a serious difference. One of the best things you can do is go to a store that specializes in running, and have them analyze your gait and help you get the right type for you. I can't afford $100 for shoes right now, so I tried to do some research and at least get the best I could. Sad to say that they aren't working out as well as I had hoped . My feet aren't cramping, they are actually pretty good. My knees are also doing better. My problem is that my toes are rubbing together and causing blisters (but only on my right foot)! At this point I'm not certain if it's the shoes,the terrain (lots of slanted or uneven areas on my route), or just that I'm walking farther than I have in years. Overall it's a lot better with the new shoes, so I'm not giving up on them yet .