I've got the runs!!!

So, what is your relationship with exercise? Do you loathe it like I do? Do you live for it like I wish I did? Honestly, a root canal sounds like a way better time than getting off of my butt and moving a little. However, when you are trying to lose weight, or maintain your current, you have to move. It has to be done... like scrubbing the toilet, washing dishes, folding the laundry and all of the other unpleasant things of life. So, with my obvious hatred of exercise, what did I do????

Nothing. Well, not TOTALLY nothing, but for the first 60 pounds of weight loss, I did no form of exercise. I didn't wanna and no one could make me. I was losing, so why torture myself??? Then a year later I had an epiphany. If I lost 60 pounds NOT exercising, I bet it would come off faster if I did! Duh. Now, what should I try? I was still 200 pounds and not at all in shape, so I didn't want to do something that would put me in the morgue. My decision? I would start walking. Easy enough. I know how to walk! I've been doing it for 30 years! I cleared off the clothesline, AKA the treadmill or "dreadmill", plugged it in and walked. 2 miles an hour. Look out roadrunner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

After a few days I got to thinking..."Hmmm, I'm not really sweating. Shouldn't I be sweating or at least out of breath?" I did the unthinkable. I cranked the treadmill to 3.5 MPH and I ran. OK, it was certainly a fast walk, but to 200 pound me, it was a run. A hard, sweaty run. I made it a whole 5 minutes and I didnt die! The next day I did 10 minutes! "Ok", I thought, "I might be in better shape than I thought!". That was the start. I officially had the runs! I started running everyday! After about 2 weeks, I was averaging 4 mph and 2 miles. After that, the weight came off faster. I felt better. I slept better! Gee, everyone was right. Exercise really does make a difference.

So, am I still running? Well, I stopped for awhile. After falling down my mom's steps and hurting myself, I took some time off. BIG mistake. Once you stop something that you aren't a fan of to begin with, it gets really hard to start again. As of today, I have been back on the treadmill for a week. I am back up to 4.8mph and doing 2.25 miles a day. Am I thrilled? Is my life complete now that I have the runs again? Well, I still hate it, but there is a HUGE sense of pride and satisfaction when I complete my workout. Just today I thought that it is starting to get a little bit enjoyable again. I will NEVER crave it (never say never, right?), but I now know I have to do it for mind, body and soul.

So, with all that said, what are you doing to move your body? I encourage everyone to take that first step. Even if it a slow step, it only takes one. You never know. You just might get the runs too.