30/100 Mission Accomplished!

When I go out for my walk today I will have reached my goal and it will be the end of this challenge.  This past week the question most asked of me has been "what are you going to do on Day 101?"...and the answer is "I will keep walking".  It just won't feel like it's a have-to.  It will be a want-to!  Still not sure how to celebrate this milestone.  Because today it's all about walking off the extra calories I ate yesterday!!

Enjoy your holiday weekend!

Seven days to go!

Today's walk will be Day 93.  I am so close to this goal and can hardly believe it! I do plan to keep walking after the 100 days are up...I cannot imagine a day without it now.  The stress relief and the pain relief I get from this simple daily walk is vital to my overall sense of well being.  Perhaps I'll add something new to my routine.  I have heard about a Zumba class here and am thinking about giving that a try!

22 more days to go!

78 days ago I embarked on this challenge.  It is so weird to even say that number.  I have reached the point where the total number of days I have gone out to walk far outnumber the days I have left to go!  And I am shocked that I made it this far.  And to be honest none of the people that I began the challenge with were able to keep going.

I could have dropped out too.  But, I kept thinking that I would hang in there for as many days as I could until something got in the way.  I thought the weather would do it...but so far I have only walked in the rain three times...and this is the rainy season.  I thought maybe having guests or conferences would interfere but I was still able to get out there.

Perhaps it's because of the heaviness of our work load.  The things we hear in the counseling office are oftentimes overwhelming.  When I go out to walk I can leave all the stress out there.  As I lace up my shoes and then walk out the door I feel a lightness come over me.  If I am in a bad mood I know that walking will lift it.  If it's been a great day then the walk feels like the icing on the cake.  If I don't feel well physically walking relieves the pain.

I cannot imagine giving up this habit.  It has changed the way I feel, think, and look.  It has given me an inner confidence, shown me that I can accomplish a goal if I set my mind to it, and filled me with peace.   And for all of that I am so grateful.  22 more days to go!

Pain is temporary but quitting lasts forever...

Today is Day 57.  In the early days getting out to walk was a major ordeal.  I had to watch the time to make sure that I stayed out the full 30 minutes.  My body ached.  My attitude was not the best...I just wanted to "get it over with".  Now, I cannot imagine my day without going out for a walk.  And I am so grateful that I didn't quit.  The pain is over and I am 43 days away from my goal!

Pain is temporary but quitting lasts forever!

Half way there!!

This evening when I go out for my walk it will be the 50th day!  

It is so hard to believe that I am half-way to this goal.  It's not always easy to go out walking here.  Two days in a row the rain has come down so hard it didn't seem like it would ever stop.  My contingency plan is to walk around the house for a half hour but fortunately I have not had to do that yet.  It seems to clear up just in time for me to get out there,

I also have to confess that I learned a valuable lesson this week.  Just because I walk everyday now does NOT mean that I can eat ice cream everyday.  You probably knew that...but, for some reason I was delusional and thought a small bowl wouldn't hurt.  I guess my bowls are not that small because I gained a pound back.  Live and learn!

So how are you doing with your health and fitness goals?

Why should you eat fruit?

On the road again!

The rocks on the road shift and groan as I walk along.  Being out in the fresh air early in the evening is priceless.  And lately it has become one of the highlights of my day.  I don't always realize how tense I am until I get on the road, my shoulders relax, and the stress for that day melts away.  When I get back home I am covered in sweat, breathing a little heavy, and am overwhelmingly calm.

Today is Day 36...and I am still putting one foot in front of the other!

One day closer to my goal!

Today is Day 30 on my way to 100 days of walking!

This past month has not been easy.  I still don't like sweating.  I still face days when I don't want to go.  I have had to walk in the rain a few times.  I was followed by an annoyingly loud barking dog one day.  And did I mention that I still DON'T like sweating?!  But, the good things are; I don't question whether I am going out or not anymore.  I have lost five pounds.  My posture has improved.  And I feel incredible when I'm finished!

 As I was walking the other day I realized that: 

I prefer to see how far I can push myself over trying to get away with the bare minimum.  

One day at a time!!

whether I want to or not...

23 days ago I started walking for at least 30 minutes a day.  Yesterday I walked 2.2 miles in 36 minutes.  A personal best time for me.  Some days it takes every bit of mental discipline for me to get out the door.  I don't always want to keep going.  But I made a commitment to myself and the women who are in the challenge with me and I am determined to follow it through. 

I have had some friends go out with me a few times and that is always a treat.  I pray when I go out to walk alone and that is always rewarding.  Discipline has gotten me out of the door when it rains and when it's been hot all day.  I tried walking in the morning but that doesn't work for me.  It is easier to get out there as the sun is setting.  The air is cool and sky is gorgeous.  My goal for the next 77 days is to keep getting my butt out the door because it is worth it.

It is worth how good I feel when I am done.  It is worth how well I sleep each night.  And it is worth the strength I feel mentally and physically as the days turn into weeks.  Lord willing, I will remain healthy enough to make it through to the end of the 100 day challenge.

I would love to learn from you.  So, what are you doing that is making a difference in your health?

Anatomy of Walking...

It has been 16 days since I started walking.  So I have 84 days to go to complete the challenge!  

So far I have lost three pounds and gained a new appreciation for health and strength.  I saw this graphic on the Everybody Walks blog and discovered even more benefits of walking.  Enjoy!

30 minutes a day for 100 days...

 

Last week I joined in a challenge with some of my friends to walk for 30 minutes a day for 100 days. Today is Day 9.  It's not complicated...but, it's certainly not easy!  I don't always feel like going.  And yet, I like how I feel when I get back home.  

At first I didn't think I could follow through with this commitment.  It is the rainy season here.  And then when the dry season comes it will be way too hot to get out there and exercise.  However, the reality is that it will always be rainy, or hot, or I'll be too busy, or I'll get sick, or something.  So I decided to tough it out and just do it.  

I am doing this to get fit but also to lose the extra pounds I am carrying around before I turn 50 next year.  I want to develop a lifelong habit of daily walking and this seemed the best way to get started. This won't be the last you hear of my 30/100 commitment.  I will keep you all posted and I hope you'll share what you are doing with me as well.  If you decide to join me that would be great! 

So, how often do you exercise and what do you do?