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In the last 14 months, and a day or two, I've lost 122 pounds. And counting. This blog is an attempt to answer the almost daily question: How Did You Do That?

Saturday, May 7, 2011

What I Learned Today on the Treadmill

Early today, I was doing my “old lady fast walk” on the treadmill at the fitness center, watching mindless television which I never do at home—Say Yes to the Dress I think it was...  I was moving, going fast, perspiring nicely.  There was nobody else there; it was great!   After about 20 minutes a young, toned fellow leapt onto the treadmill one over from where I was.   He cranked that baby up until he was running about a gazillion miles an hour on that thing.  Suddenly, I felt as if I were hardly moving.   

That old, familiar feeling of “What am I doing here?  I don’t belong here.  This is for young/skinny/good-looking people.” started to come on.  But I said to myself, “Self, this is for you.  He’s doing his thing; you’re doing yours.  There’s no difference.”  And you know what?  I was right! 

It was great!  That was a huge step forward for me, to just stay there comfortably doing my “old lady fast walk”, even if it wasn’t that fast, while he did his “young fella running like hell” run.  

We can only be right where we are.  If we aren’t there, we aren’t anywhere.  Right now, I’m a too-heavy aging lady.  I will be thinner, but I will never be younger.  And that’s okay.  I’m where I’m at right now.  The great thing is, I like it! 

7 comments:

  1. You don't want the shin splints that await you if you push it. I work out like a lunatic, and I can't lose a pound. I tried running this winter and crippled myself. I do lots of rope jumping and skipping in my kick-boxing, and just that causes shin splints. Damn, I wish I could lose thirty pounds. If I cut calories to 2000 a day, I can hardly move. I take B1, B6,and B12 for energy. But I can't lose any more. I really ought to be grateful that I can do what I do. Glad you're still working out!

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  2. Thanks, Fred. It's hard not to push yourself too hard once you get going. The inclination is to tell yourself, "Yeah, I can do this longer (or harder or whatever)." Bad idea!

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  3. OMG. I love this: "He’s doing his thing; you’re doing yours." and "We can only be right where we are."

    I love, love, love your attitude! I joined a gym in February and went almost daily for three months. It took me a long time to work up to the elliptical (started out at a measly 2.5 minutes and was so embarrassed, I didn't get back on it for a whole month).

    But slowly, over time, I increased my effort and time and gradually lost some weight. I could even do the elliptical for a straight hour! I'm at my halfway mark (25lbs, have 25 to go) and I couldn't have done it without all the baby steps I took back in February. Literally, baby steps on the treadmill.

    I'm rooting for you!

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  4. Wow! And I just noticed your blog header, where you write that you lost 122 lbs. That's a tremendous accomplishment! I'm in total awe of you.

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  5. Thanks, Kathy! It's great to hear from you. Good luck with your baby steps. That's the only way to do it.

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  6. Angela, that's an amazing weight loss! My sister lost over 100 pounds too. She joined weight watchers and walked about 3 1/2 miles every day, rain or shine. It took her a year, but she's kept it off. Baby steps will get you there.

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  7. Thanks, Linda. Congratulations to your sister! I appreciate the encouragement.

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