This is work!!

Aesop101
Aesop101 Posts: 758 Member
edited September 27 in Motivation and Support
Worked on the garden yesterday for almost 2 1/2 hours. The mosquitoes were biting, the sun was hot, and it seemed endless. Every time I thought I was about done I realized there was more to do. The final task of putting the tools away seemed to take so long. I'm sore this morning. Not so sore I can't dig more though.

Last year if the neighbors looked out the window at the right time they would have seen a guy laying on his back staring at the sky with his big belly sticking up. My back was killing me and I was worn out. I persevered though.

Last spring this 350 pound man decided he wanted to go for a hike. You know get back to nature, clear the head, and get in shape. Now I had been working out at the gym doing the eliptical, bike, and treadmill. I was ready. I head out. About an hour into the hike I thought, my gawd, I'm going to die here! After resting for a half hour I retreated and of course rested 4 more times just to get back to the jeep. I had to look down several times just to be sure I was actually on my legs.

This year I completed the whole 10.5 miles. Oh I want to tell you it was easy but I forgot about the giant hills in the back country. Still I made it without bargaining for my life.

I remember when I first started walking, first the chin splints, then the calf pain, then the hip pointers, and finally the lower back pain. That back pain like to never subsided. At times I had to rest every 10 minutes until it subdued and of course stretch out the calves. It took me 8 months to get through all of this.

In total I have gone almost almost 850 miles since I started exercising in January 2010, most from hiking, elliptical, and tread mill. A total of 202 hours of exercising. Yes, I keep detailed records.

It seems not only did I eat poorly I was very sedentary due to school, studying for the CPA, and working. Apparently I can only do one thing at a time.

That brings us back to today. I am sore but not paralyzed sore. It's been quite a bit of work. Still though I am ready to get back out in the garden.

I'm up and I'm at 'em. I don't want to go back to where I was last year. It's work but it's better.

Replies

  • Saragre
    Saragre Posts: 42 Member
    What an inspiring post, and a great NSV, Congratulations!!!
  • BandMom2
    BandMom2 Posts: 64
    Thanks for sharing!! =)
  • jpeper1966
    jpeper1966 Posts: 79
    WOW, this brings back memories. Nine years ago I was in the same shape as you. When I had that "turning moment" and realized I HAD to do something about my weight.

    Those first walks were short and painful. Sore arches, sore back, sciatica pain, knee surgery, the works. My body was wore out from carrying all of the extra weight and then I decide to take on a physical challenge. The reward is great though. It feels great to walk PAST that point on your hike where you first had to turn back in pain.

    Whenever I load a 50lb bag of birdseed into my car I think I need to be careful not to hurt my back, then I think of how I used to carry the weight of THREE of those bags everywhere I went.

    Those little reminders of how we used to feel are good motivators to keep up the work AFTER we reach our goals. I am here because over the years my weight has slowly creeped back up and I swore I would never let it get out of control again. Several months of hard work here will earn me several more years of living healthy but not worrying about every meal.

    It can be done and the rewards for that hard work are great. Congratulations on your progress!!
  • twooliver
    twooliver Posts: 450 Member
    Love love love it!!!! You're my hero!!!
  • savvynurse
    savvynurse Posts: 292
    Awesome and the truth!!!
This discussion has been closed.

Categories