I need to put in a plug for walking as the ultimate weightloss and health-improving tool. I have lost 80 pounds in the last 9 months, going from a size 22 pants to size 8/10. I have done this by walking 5 miles a day (listening to books on tapes or disco music every step of the way!) and eating a sensible lowfat diet of about 1500 calories per day. I am a 52 year old woman who has alos dropped her total cholesterol by over 70 points. My health and appearance have improved immeasurably. I have remained committed to this walk/run program, 5-6 days a week, and have not missed more than three scheduled days in the last nine months. I highly recommend this. I walk a very hilly terrain at nearly 5 miles per hour, a big improvement over my first couple of months when I was battling to get past the 19 minute mile mark! Persistence pays off. I subscribe to Walking Magazine and Prevention, other good tools to use in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. I wear Asics Gel run/walk shoes, which are the best I have found, and replace them about every three months, as they have on them almost 400 miles by then. They are light, comfortable, and relatively affordable. Good luck to everyone who tries my sugestions!

Delchuas,

This is AWESOME. You must feel 100% better!! It is good to hear a story about exercise being the focus. We could probably all eat pretty much what we want (within reason people) if we would just keep moving. You're inspiring me to move more . . .I've only been doing 2-3 miles a day. I guess I need to get off my duff and do more. Congratulations on your fantastic weight loss and new healthier lifestyle. Wow, 5 miles an hour is fast! That's gonna be my new goal. Thanks for the inspiration.

Congrats on a great accomplishment! I too love walking and walk 5-6 days a week, but alas, I've got flat terrain, I live in Miami! I love walking to old disco music, or any techno that has a fast beat - would never listen to that music otherwise.

You may want to check out the Powerbelt. I got one about 2 months ago and love it. It works your upper body, esp. the arms. It has a pully system that's weighted - what a difference it has made. If you are interested, e-mail me. I have nothing to do with the company, just think it's a great tool

Continued success!

Debbie
[email protected]

WOW!!! Thankyou for the wonderful inspiration!!!! Now, I will be going on my walk today!!!! Thankyou and congrats on all of your hard work paying off!!!


Jennifer
250/194/165

I just gotta share my success. I got another star at WW this week and am down 36 pounds. I know that walking has been a key in my success. I honestly don't believe I could ever walk 5 miles an hour, but I guess I'm proof you don't have to go that fast to have the weight come off. The thing about exercise is this, if you keep at it . . . you actually miss it if you don't do it! Good luck to all on their weight loss efforts. We CAN do this!

Success: Good for you gal.....started walking 4 dys. ago (had to miss today cause it poured all day), but tomorrow when I do my "walkies" I will think of you kiddo.

I too, am at WW, but in a bit of a slump, even missed my meeting this wk., but am on program, and on my way to "losing" again.

Kermit.

When the weather is too yucky for going outside, a good substitute (if you don't want to take out a second mortgage to purchase a treadmill, that is!)is a mini-trampoline. I put mine in front of a good old movie and jog away for 30 minutes to an hour. They are inexpensive and get the heart rate up, even if they are not recognized as a good piece of equipment for building bone density.

Wow delchuas!

You are quite an inspiration. I think I am at the level that you started If you don't mind my asking how long did it take you to work up to a five mile a day regimine. Did you start at 5 miles or did you gradually increase. I hope that in another 8 months I'm up to 5miles in an hour. That's incredible!

Congrats again on your success. And the best of luck in maintainance, too!

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Mony
169/164/135

thanksgiving goal 159


Progress not Perfection

Congratulations to all you walkers! I am now ispired to return to the gym. I've been on WW for 4 wks and have lost 12 lbs (32 to go) but have not exercised and I know I should/must. Thanks for the inspiration and continued good luck in your walking/exercising. I'll check in again soon with you all.

Delchuas-
What an inspiration you are. Walking is my basic mode of exercise and I truly enjoy it. This week I have been under the weather and haven't walked at all, but I will begin again when my health improves.
I do have a treadmill which we bought last year, so I have no excuses. I have lost 46.6 lbs. since January-slow, but sure. I'm hoping to reach the 50 lb. loss mark by Thanksgiving.
Keep up the good work!


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Donna
[email protected] (work)
[email protected](home)

I started out walking last January inside the halls of my church while my daughter was attending early morning seminary. I would walk as fast as possible for 30-45 minutes. I did this 5 days a week. ( I might add that at 220 pounds, "as fast as possible" was not very fast!!!!) Then, when the weather was agreeable, I started taking my walk outside. Over the months, I have added both time and distance and increased my speed to my current 5.2 mph--some of this is jogging, so I can build bone density, also. I am 52 and concerned about osteoporosis,as my mother has this. My children think I am "over the top" (i.e. obsessed) with the walking, but I am the kind of person who must stay committed or I will find every excuse in the book to quit, so I try never to miss a day. If the weather isn't cooperative, I head for the church again or my minitramp. I have lost 80 pounds in 10 months and pray to be able to maintain my present weight while increasing my level of fitness. It is inspiring to me to read all of your letters and know none of us is alone in this struggle. The Halloween candy has been calling to me (and, regrettably, I have answered on occasion) and I hate that food seems to have so much power over me. But regardless of what kind of a "food" day I have, I keep on walking. Good luck to everyone.

I walk tues, thurs, fri, with my dogs, 2 beagles, and we go about 2 miles and it is very swift walking, pretty much they drag me down the road.....LOL I do pilate Mon and Wed and I have seen little difference here and there.
You have all inspired me to keep walking with my dogs and hopefully I will have a story of my own soon. I have 45lbs to go...

Congratulations to all of you who are just committing to walking and to all those who keep plugging away! I can truly say it has made my life better. I live where it is now fairly cold to walk in the morning. The last few days it has been in the high teens or low 20's. I was dreading the onset of cold weather, but I have found that layering is the answer, with polar fleece being my top layer. I am toasty warm and come back sweaty, but the fleece wicks the moisture to the outside of my jacket--pretty neat feature of that fabric! My only problem is my face. Walking or Prevention Magazine, I forget which one, recommends a silk face mask. Would any of you know where such an item could be purchased???? Those knitted masks that are all the rage among the criminal element of our society would be too warm, I think. I would appreciate any help anyone ould give me. My husband bought me a great treadmill for the days when I truly can't deal with Mother Nature. It gives me a great workout but I still go outside if at all possible, for I love the cool, fresh air and snooping around my neighborhood every day! Good luck to everyone!