Oct 11, 2013

Hey everyone!

It's been a few days and a few miles since my last post. Here's the latest updates...

I changed my schedule a little this week. I decided Thursday would be my normal day off but I changed it to Wednesday this week. Wednesday morning before my normal walk I stopped into the clinic for a weigh in. I needed a little boost. I was pretty sure I had lost a couple of pounds so I wanted to see it so I could grab some motivation from it. Well, it didn't work out quite like I planned. I got on the scale to discover I lost a half pound. Not going to lie, I was disappointed. I've been working really hard at exercising and eating better and not seeing the result I expected was a blow. I know a lot of people would say "quit whining. You lost instead of gaining. Even a small loss is a victory." And those people would be exactly right. But when you work really hard and see minimal result, it feels like a defeat. I decided to take Wednesday off because I knew my heart wouldn't be in it and I would do a half way job of exercising and then take Thursday off. By taking Wednesday off and having one day to feel sorry for myself, I came back Thursday with a better attitude and attack the walk with gusto.

So yesterday I went back to the park and walked 10 laps for a total of 4.5 miles. I didn't do any jogging. The bursitis in my hip was acting up so walking was enough. I spent the time clearing my head, getting rid of negativity and reminding myself how far I've come. When I started walking in August, I was walking 3 laps. Now I'm routinely doing 7 or more. My stamina has improved. My motivation has improved. My attitude and outlook have improved. The scale doesn't show any of that. The scale doesn't have the final word on success. 

Today was amazing. I did something  I wouldn't have believed possible a month ago. I decided to do 7 laps today by walking odd numbered laps and jogging even numbered laps. I started with a warm up walk. Lap 2 I started jogging. And I kept jogging. I jogged 5 straight laps! The surprising part was that when I slowed down to a walk for the last lap (I needed a cool down), I still felt pretty good. My legs felt like jelly but my heart wasn't pounding. My breathing wasn't out of control. No cramping or pain anywhere. Nothing like jogging over 2 miles straight to wipe out the disappointment and feeling of failure that I had Wednesday! So I got my 3.15 miles in for the day. And I did it in a serious way. So proud of myself. My small goals are happening. Other goals are within sight. Texas, here I come!

My total miles so far are 31.7 miles. That puts me past Volk Field and well on my way to the Wisconsin Dells. I'll definitely make it to the Dells before I go on vacation next week. That was my first short term goal. I can't wait to check it off the list!