Originally I had thought I would start my new fitness journey last week, but life being what it is, I began yesterday.
I realized that I could not keep finding reasons to distract me. As the commercial said, I had to Just Do It. I think that is a problem for me. I am not always great at saying no. I do not put me first. Yesterday I was planning to visit my nephews for a bit. Usually there is no such thing as a short visit. A planned pop in turns into a marathon afternoon and slowly slides into dinner and eventually you find yourself pulling into the driveway around 10 or 11.
Knowing this, I told them I had things to do first and would be by when I was free. I woke, had breakfast and did some work before heading to the gym around 11 am. I felt good.
Water bottle....check
iPod......check
Hair clippy thing.....check
I was ready. Today was day one.
Day one on my journey to becoming more fit.
Day one on my journey to run 5km.
Phase II, knowing I wanted to do this, pulled a Learn to Run program from the internet and sent it to me. That is what I decided to follow. Also, as I am starting this indoors and most 5km are outside, I decided to do this on an incline.
I walked in. Scanned the cardio area. Picked a treadmill.
Next, placed my water bottle on the right and selected the first song on my iPod.....I will survive!
I selected my settings.....
Program.....Manual
Time.....30 minutes
Incline.....1.2
Pace.......3.0
I was off.
Walk: 5 minutes.....3.0
I can do this. Maybe I will walk a bit extra to loosen up more.
Use the arms. Look up. Feeling strong.
Run: 1 minute......3.6
Not bad.....ugh......is one minute over yet?
Walk: 4 minutes.....3.0
Gasp.....sweat....where is my water....5+1+4 = 10....ok....I don't have to run until 10....I can do it.....
Run: 1 minute.....3.6
I am doin' it. I can do this.....how long is a minute...is the clock broken?
Walk: 4 minutes.....3.0
Ok....I'm ok.....wow....I am pretty much recovered and it is about 1 to 2 minutes after the last run interval.....this is about half way!
Run: 1 minute.....3.6
I can do this. Maybe I should set the speed higher? Maybe not. I'll leave it here. Don't want to go nuts and get stalled. I can work on raising it next time.....time is over already?
Walk: 4 minutes.....3.0
Who are they interviewing on that show? Oh, look at those ladies. They have been walking the track for a while. I can't believe I am already at 20 minutes!
Run: 1 minute.....3.6
This is it. My last run minute for today. Wow! 1 down...23 to go. 10 seconds....9...8..........
Walk: 5 minutes.....3.0
Look at me....I am drenched. I did it!! I did it!!! Me, I am proud of you.
Walking 22 minutes.
Running 4 minutes.
This was empowering. Regular people may not understand. I am obese. I realized a while ago that my thinking is limiting my life experiences. I am not going to let that keep happening. I want to live as long as I can. I want to make better choices.
After just one 26 minute session, I have already gained so much.
I have committed to a new goal.
I believe I can attain this new goal.
I feel proud.
I feel strong.
I will do it. I have to do it.
There is a lot of shame attached to being overweight. You get used to the looks people give you. You get used to feeling self conscious. I have always felt comfortable at the gym. But, I felt that way (self conscious, embarassed) when I first arrived at the gym yesterday. I think it is because you do not expect to see a fat person running. In hindsight, by the time I was at minute 6, I did not care. I was so focused on myself and this challenge that I was no longer self conscious. As much as any physical benefits, this self confidence is a gift and a great reward.
After finishing, changing and heading home, I took the dog for a nice half hour walk and then headed off to see the boys. I got there at 1:30pm. I had put me first.
Thanks for sharing step one on my journey.
Storm
