I've lost most of my weight so far by simply eating in moderation. Go figure. Knowing I wasn't really completing the whole picture of my new healthy way life, I decided it was time to start walking. I'm a huge couch potato, but do enjoy the outdoors. My dream is to be a runner, but as a super chubby girl who already has been officially diagnosed with Runner's Knee (both knees), I don't know that that will happen, but I'm sure going to try!
So...I've been walking lately and even got the kids asking to go. We started out with a mile and then tried 2. The little ones don't last long, but my 12 yr old has been such a motivator and blessing to me! He and I set a destination far enough away from our house and planned to at least get there and maybe call for my husband to pick us up if we were beat. Well we walked 7 miles that day!! We talked and laughed and he kept saying, "mom, do you need motivation now?" He knows to run ahead and pull me along if I needed it. It was awesome. We walked many times since and it's been great for our relationship and physical health!
I have a treadmill and tried using it, but I keep looking at the time and miles. No fun. So...today I downloaded Runkeeper and LOVE it!! I mapped out an area around my kids' school and went for it. I walked 4.33 miles!! That's huge in my world. I wanted to quit and take a short cut, but kept telling myself I could go further and faster! And I did! Walking outdoors, according RunKeeper, showed I could walk way faster and further than I thought.
Would I rather have been sitting inside doing nothing but watching a movie? Yes, at first. But once I was outside and breathing in the crispy air an amazing energy came about me. The sky was blue. The air smelled rich and it was good. The area is very hilly so on the steep parts I didn't look far ahead. Just right in front of me. Before I knew it I was at the top and felt proud. That happened a gazillion times because it feels like the entire area was all hill!
So, if you don't walk, do. Just around the block, then maybe 2. See how good you'll feel .