today, I got this email…

Excellent! You've walked 50 miles!

I can't tell you how goofy good that felt!  The past few days I've either been laying about doing not-so-much, or I've forgotten to wear my FitBit.  So that little reminder was good.  I lost 5 pounds, and am trying to stay positive about my job search.  The last one is the very hardest, but I find that walking (especially with my dog) helps lighten the mood if the sun is out.  It's been so darn cold here that even getting on the treadmill has been an effort, as if the cold sucks the energy out!

But - this award has me smiling!

this is brief because my hands are cramped up and typing is hard.  why?  Because i fell.  and my back is cramping, so it decided to make my arms and hands miserable too.  i got new YakTrak-like thingies for my boots & shoes, so the problem should be solved.  I also got a bangin' Elmer Fudd hat that has faux sherpa inside and down the flaps.  i highly recommend one of these, even though they look dorkey.  with the flaps hanging down, the wind can't bite your cheeks.  and this one is like a baseball cap with flaps, so it deflects the wind.  sunday, i walked mostly alone and did good.  the problem continues to be the biting cold weather.  temps have been as low as -23 and that is just ludicrous to go out in.  My dog has cabin fever, so i hope it warms up soon.  more later.

this morning, after 30 minutes on the treadmill, i patted myself on the back and headed for the shower.  my clothes have been fitting better, and that made me happy.  while i was in the shower, i thought about what my goal was - the 60 pounds lost by June - and had a sudden epiphany that there aren't many women my age that would be as thin as i had planned to be without being questioned about health…my 30-year old weight, my 40-year old weight.  and that got me thinking about what my goal actually was - weight loss, or returning to a happy time & place, or exactly what.  and the phrase "Let your true self show" went through my mind. my true self has nothing to do with size.  i began walking for health, but it started to become about size and not eating this or that and making sure i had all the right walking accessories, etc.  So, today is a reset day.  back to the initial purpose - health and mobility…use it or lose it.  and if my true self is a beautiful & exciting person who happens to be my current size/weight, then tough tutus.  it makes me so happy to walk…more so than the indoor treadmill.  i get to see and smell and feel the outdoors…there is a point to it.  the camaraderie.  so back to square one.  happily.  not much changes in my routine, just the mental part.  so much learning going along with the walks!  so grateful for my 2 feet being operational.
Wonder Woman, peace out.

whoo hoo!

today's walk was 3.35 miles, and 8305 steps.  it was tough going, as the snow had piled up in the past few days.  so even though it was the same distance, it was a much more intensive workout for our legs. I was joined by a different neighbor today - my usual partner had company coming, and another woman had texted me about joining in.  worked out great!  Plus i found out about a nearby yoga class on fridays.  now i'm off to shower phewww!

update:  after laundry and grocery shopping i'm pooped.  but… 11,224 steps and 4.53 miles so far today.  way to go, me!

wow! i wish i would've known years ago how good it would feel to walk!  it is just fantastic.  and using the FitBit helps keep me motivated, I have to admit.  since i'm not taking measurements or weighing in, it gives me a goal to strive for…more steps today than yesterday.  Today we have 3 kinds of snow: snow, blowing snow, and very cold blowing snow.  I might get out for a jaunt by myself anyway.  too cold for my dog! 2 days ago, i got a FitBit award for Most Active Minutes in a day so far!  very excited.

today i will try to top my Best Yet 15,000 steps in a day!  that was after an epic 6+ mile walk last Sunday.  but today is a walking day, and my dog is antsy, so it might work.  I have company coming tomorrow, so I do have to manage some household stuff, which will take me off the walk, but…they are all steps!

NOTE: just uploaded my FitBit Zip info…and I walked 3.86 miles, AND got a "champ" badge for having 57 active minutes recorded!  Now, I did forget to wear it until late today, so those numbers are low.  I feel so good about this.

14,843 steps on sunday! over 6 miles logged.
Yesterday, we went for our regular walk, with a new neighbor joining us (new to the group, and new to the neighborhood).   The ice was pretty slick in some areas, so we had to be slow & steady, but worked it out in the clear areas.  just as we were at the end of the walk, i saw another neighbor leaving to walk her 2 dogs, so i figured i'd go say hello.  she handed me a leash (sneaky her) and 2.5 miles later…
yeah.
so that's how i got my 6 miles in!  according to FitBit, anyway.  I'm not paying attention to the "calories burned" calculator, because i don't care, and also because i don't see how that could possibly work.  i wanted to get some miles in today while it's warmer, but think i may have caught a bug, so i'll let my body rest a bit.  there's a nasty flu going around and i don't want it.

the PUSH without the PUNISH

i got a FitBit last night.  A little creepy, after reading The Circle, but the more goals I have to crush, the better.  That's how I'm wired.  Don't get me wrong - in the past week of sub-zero weather, I set walking aside.  That's just crazy to be out in that weather.  But i am this person that sets a goal for myself, and needs to have short-term markers along the way. sort of like my timing - if i have to be somewhere at a certain time, i back-time it so i can arrive with time to spare…wiggle room.  so if my goal is 6000 steps today, i get going early (usually) so I can have time to chill later.  and if the weather is good today, then i'll walk with-or-without the group, in case it gets nasty out again.  yes, i have a treadmill on loan from my mother-in-law.  but i've found that it's soo boring to walk indoors.  even with my ipod.  maybe if i had a stand for my ipad, i could watch a movie.  i don't know.  it's the conversation & gossip and all those things that i enjoy while i'm walking.  nature, trails, foxes, deer, car exhaust :)
but whatever it takes.  because striving towards this goal is not just about losing weight.  it's about respecting myself enough to allow something good and positive.  it's about finishing something i started.  it's so much more than walking.  it's about pushing myself without punishing myself, and taking back control of what i allow my body to look like, feel like, operate like.  Before this walking program, there were days when i'd get out of bed and could hardly walk.  i still have a lot of pain, but know that if i can walk 4-6 miles, i can walk across the room.  no matter how long it takes.  i will not be a guest on 600-pound Life.  and i'm far far from it, but need to feel healthy again, lively.  and just the thought of reaching my goal makes me smile.  the accomplishment.
so Move Your Feet today!  buy a cheap pedometer and challenge yourself to x-number of steps more each day or week.  it is so much fun.

the weather finally warmed up enough to walk outdoors again - although "warm" is a relative term here, as it was 24-degrees while we walked.  it's been in the below-zeros for days, and that's when i'm grateful for my "loaner" treadmill.  It isn't the same as walking outdoors & chatting with friends, but it's great to be able to stay on course.  I am looking for a sponsor for the $125 entry fee for the Fleet Feet No Boundaries 5K training.  I asked Chobani Yogurt (my favorite!!) and will see what happens.  most larger companies only give to big groups, and I get that.  But I'm hoping someone will see value in what I'm doing enough to sponsor all or part of the fee.  I have a few weeks before the deadline to pay. Today's walk was good - it was a trail we've walked before, and it took a good 90 minutes.  Heart rate up, but not running.  steady goes the course, as they say.  I'm off to a Health & Wellness Fair near my house - maybe I can get a sponsor there!

Happy New Year!  I am pleased to say that my group of walkers (dubbed The Streetwalkers) has kept our walking dates, despite the extreme cold & holiday frenzy.  One day we met at a local mall due to the cold.  But we walked!
Wishing you good goals and respect for your house!

On a quest to do my best!