Oh, I know I'm not going to die. But somehow, when the timer on my phone indicates it's time to walk on the dreaded treadmill, I reluctantly grab my Sketchers and sulk into the kitchen where the beast awaits. Because I'm going from total couch potato to early walker, I'm only doing 1/2 mile twice a day, but you would think I'm running a marathon with all the huffing and puffing I do. Most of it is for show. To let my husband know I'm working really, really hard. So I get my rewards after (kisses..."you did it, honey!"...stuff like that).
It really isn't that bad. I'm giving the old heart a mediocre workout and getting off the couch at least twice a day...more than before, anyway. I listen to some good Christian music as motivation (you'd be surprised at how many songs have lyrics that go along with the theme that Jesus is walking along with me or carrying me when I get too tired to walk), close my eyes, and use that time to pray for those who can't walk or who walk miles just to go to school. Before I know it, I'm done.
As soon as I'm used to this pace and my legs stop shaking when I've finished, I'll up the ante and set the controls to go for 3/4 of a mile and keep upping it until I get to a good running pace. It has taken years to get to the place I'm at and it's going to take years to take it off. I told Joel last night we just have to think of this activity as a lifetime deal and he agreed. Having him doing it with me is so encouraging. Sometimes I think of my friend, Brian, who is now running marathons or my friend, Bruce, who spins...they keep me motivated, too.
And so it continues.
A place to unload the worries of the day and celebrate the knowledge I am not alone in this crazy world!
Friday, July 6, 2012
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
I love Mondays. Especially Mondays when the heat reaches over 90 degrees and the humidity level is high. Who says Minnesota isn't in the tropics? With all these lakes, it's bounds to be humid. A great day to stay inside and read my Kindle.
One thing I did do today was tackle my treadmill. You see, I've set timers on my wonderful Motorola Droid Maxx, and once a timer is set, it's set in stone. I can't deviate from a timer. (Well, I could, but it would set off some button in my OCD and things would just go haywire from that moment on.) I've split my walking into two workouts of 1/2 mile two times a day, which all the books and experts say is ok to do. For someone who's been an expert couch potato for years due to pain and whatnot, I'll take it.
I've just finished my second session. How do I get through it? I set my bluetooth, turn my headset on to a Christian radio station, grab my Crystal Light, and walk to the music. The electronic doo-dads on the treadmill tell me how far I've walked and how fast and so on, so I really don't have to think much. The pain isn't too bad, as long as I walk correctly and focus on something else.
Something miraculous happens when I'm done...I'm extremely happy, despite the fact that I'm breathing like a beached whale and I'm downing my drink like I haven't drank anything in a week. I'm doing something good for myself and I haven't done that in a long, long time. I'm not thinking in terms of weight loss or how good I'm going to look in a bikini (at my age, I wouldn't buy a bikini to save my life, anyway); but I do want to feel good. My goal is to feel good.
How was your Monday?
One thing I did do today was tackle my treadmill. You see, I've set timers on my wonderful Motorola Droid Maxx, and once a timer is set, it's set in stone. I can't deviate from a timer. (Well, I could, but it would set off some button in my OCD and things would just go haywire from that moment on.) I've split my walking into two workouts of 1/2 mile two times a day, which all the books and experts say is ok to do. For someone who's been an expert couch potato for years due to pain and whatnot, I'll take it.
I've just finished my second session. How do I get through it? I set my bluetooth, turn my headset on to a Christian radio station, grab my Crystal Light, and walk to the music. The electronic doo-dads on the treadmill tell me how far I've walked and how fast and so on, so I really don't have to think much. The pain isn't too bad, as long as I walk correctly and focus on something else.
Something miraculous happens when I'm done...I'm extremely happy, despite the fact that I'm breathing like a beached whale and I'm downing my drink like I haven't drank anything in a week. I'm doing something good for myself and I haven't done that in a long, long time. I'm not thinking in terms of weight loss or how good I'm going to look in a bikini (at my age, I wouldn't buy a bikini to save my life, anyway); but I do want to feel good. My goal is to feel good.
How was your Monday?
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