9 1/2 Weeks

This is the tenth week of my Biggest Loser workout at the wellness center.

I couldn’t walk half a mile in an hour when I started. Walk, not run.

My partner Dyanne and I committed to going to the gym at least four times a week. I even committed to cardio for twenty minutes while I was there. Every Thursday the group of us meet and work out under Nick the Demon’s tutelage for one hour.

Nine weeks later I can and do walk/hobble/run for 30 minutes…going at least 1.5 miles. I strength train 2-3 times a week. I have lost 11 pounds. I have gained confidence in my efforts and belief that this is something I can do.

I still have bursitis in my left knee, arthritis in my right foot, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome. That may not change. My thoughts about it have. I made a decision early on I was not going to be stopped..that I would just work through the pain. Most days that pain is bearable and after 10-15 minutes I’m not thinking about it. I’m usually thinking about the music I’m listening to or getting into that stream of consciousness where all I can hear is my footsteps and feel myself smile. The days it is unbearable, I still go for twenty minutes then I get off the treadmill and do some sit ups.

Here’s the deal. I’m 57 years of age and have taken the opportunity to turn 60 a whole lot healthier than I was at 40.  I MADE A CHOICE.  And really, that’s all you have to do to get started.  Choose.

You know, that works for just about everything in life.  Make a choice and get started.  Stop listening to excuses, stop lying to yourself … just do it. 

Need a little guidance?  Join me on a 30 day dare at www.lifedare.net  I just started the 30 day challenge to get my heart rate going for 20 minutes a day.  There’s plenty of choices there for you to choose from.

The picture to the right was taken this morning …. and I’ll take another one after my 30 days.  The picture on the left is from Becky McCray and taken in New York one year ago.  Yes, I was walking with a cane.  This year in New York, I won’t be walking with a cane!