In September 2010, I took a class called LifeStyle 180. This class is about changing your lifestyle to feel better. Thankfully, I have not been on any medication even though I was overweight. I wanted to take charge of my health before it took charge of me. The class taught me things that were pretty amazing. Simple things like reading labels, and not being 'tempted' by all of the marketing blitz for 'healthy eating'. What the food producers are doing is trying to seduce our health conscious selves to buy into their products that may say Healthy, Natural or Whole Grain, but if you look deeper, they are really filled with sugar and non-healthy fillers.
Some of you who may know me, know that my Mom (and now brother) had/have Celiac Sprue. This is a disease of gluten intolerance whereby the villi in the small intestine do not absorb nutrients adequately. I have been tested and do not show signs of this disease. For this I am grateful, but, I am more grateful for the lessons that I have learned with being in tune to what 'fillers' are put into many of our foods. This is done for profit and convenience. You may be wondering why this history? It is so you can understand the thought process behind why this journey is important to me.
My mom died in December of 2008. At that time, I lost not only my mom, but truly my best friend. We talked regularly and she knew me better than anyone. She fought so hard to fight the liver disease that eventually took her life. While we all face different battles, mine has been my weight. I joined the LifeStyle 180 class for me.
By December 2010, I lost 20 pounds and felt really good about the commitment that I'd made to myself. I was walking at least three days a week and when the weather broke and showed signs of spring, I found myself walking 6 and 7 miles a day. At that time, there were commercials on 95.5 the Fish for the Three Day Walk to support Susan G. Komen's fight against breast cancer. I emailed my LifeStyle 180 Fab5 group and asked them if they thought I was crazy for considering this event. They were all very supportive. Unfortunately, none of them could make the commitment. :-( I also had some telling me that I was crazy, but being the stubborn person that I can be, I ventured to sign up in January.
After the holidays, the nice break in weather sadly disappeared. I was still walking, however, the ice was no fun. In mid January, during one of my 5 a.m. walks, I had an ice slip woman down situation. It was nothing short of a yoga's "pigeon pose" whereby my right foot/leg were swiftly positioned under my left leg.
As Sam turned back to see me face down on the ground with my right leg tucked under, I could hear her saying "Well, are you coming?" I slowly got up to make sure nothing was wrong, walked around the block and headed home. That evening, I was so uncomfortable, I thought, what am I doing? Fat people don't train to do 60 mile walks. Or, do they?
 |
| The Pigeon Pose |
 |
February, walking, walking, walking.. Getting the Pedometer to 10,000 steps a day doesn't seem as hard as it did in September, October, November when I used to think "How am I going to get over 10,000 steps when I am barely reaching 3,000. Mid February, Dennis and I went to Vegas. On Sunday, February 13th I walked from Caesar's to Guardian Angel Church (about 2 miles one way). Not only did I walk back, but I went an additional 1.5 miles. I also bypassed all the escalators and walked up/down the stairs. The weather felt SOOO Awesome ! It was sunny and about 50 degrees. I walked every day and got the pedometer to over 14,000 steps daily. Yippie. ! !
March 6th. Uh-Oh. Thought I would do 3-4 miles on the treadmill. Was going to Chicago in the evening and thought it would be good to get the mileage in before I travelled for the week. I already was planning to take my tennis shoes and sweats so I could use the facilities in the hotel. After 15 minutes on the treadmill, I would forever realize why the 'safety' key needed to be attached to ones body/clothing. The treadmill motor without warning sped up and out of control. I was on the ground behind the treadmill before you could say Help, I've fallen and I can't get up. My children rushed to my aid. Daughter was phoning my husband and my son was helping me remove my shoes, and carefully asking if my feet/legs were ok.. if I could stand up. They could see my scrapes, both fore-arms badly scrapped, right knee with a huge scrape and all bleeding. I make my way upstairs from the basement. My husband returns to find me there with arms/legs bleeding. He of course was shocked at how quickly the day turned from a quiet Sunday to.. uh-oh. Once my daughter realized they were surface wounds (hurting, but OKAY), she begins to sing "my mommy got run over by a treadmill" in the tune of "Grandma got runover by a reindeer'. We all laugh and I went to shower and bandage myself. It is much funnier to look back three weeks later at it now that my scrapes are just red, but imagine me going through the airport that evening, and grimacing at the slightest touch to my extremities. I'm just grateful, I'm past that and can laugh at it now. That week in Chicago, I managed to hit the facilities only once. I did less than 2 miles on their treadmill (WITH attached safety key to my sweat pants.. hahaha). I was discouraged and not happy with my progress, but realized I needed to let myself heal.
So, here I am now back to walking at least 4 days a week. I disappear for an hour or two and leave the family to fend for themselves for dinner on occassion. Our yellow labrador "Sam" (short for Samantha) enjoys the walks too and perks up everytime I ask her if she wants to go for a walk. :-))
My daughter's volleyball tournaments have also been good sources of walk time, as in between play, I will disappear and walk. (Yesterday, was a treat to walk around Edinboro University. Despite the bitter cold wind, I really enjoyed the campus).
According to the 3day walk training program, I am to do 7 miles today. I'm up for the challenge. :-) So far, I've been keeping to the 3day 24 week training program. Some days are easier than others of course.
Until next time, wave if you see me walking. :-)
