One Step at a Time
Squats are a form of torture designed by people who don’t need to do squats in the first place. ~~ Nora Roberts, Bed of Roses
Not surprisingly, I escaped the exercise bug for most of my life. Prior to a month ago, I think I last participated in organized or required activities when I was in high school. Probably 1980. Yes, my friends I was in high school during the latter part of the previous century. I did take a riflery class at college, but that didn’t create a lot of sweating. I also enrolled in a bowling class, but that went down the gutter quickly. So, I generally don’t count those two when I think of me and my exercise.
For decades my mantra was, “I hate exercise”. I even bought a book titled, “The ‘I Hate Exercise’ Book”. It’s real, trust me. True to form, I think I read one chapter…extolling the virtues of vacuuming, yard work, and doing the laundry. My interpretation? “Well, I’m already doing that stuff. So I’m exercising all the time. Why read any more?
That book collected a lot of dust until it met its demise at a moving sale last year. If it didn’t find a good home with one of our shoppers, it found a place at the local public library when we donated all the books that didn’t sell.
When I finally got serious about making changes, I started walking. I’d force myself to take a break at work and walk around the neighborhood for 20 minutes. I didn’t make it very far in those days. I think it was about a half mile round trip. I’d also walk the side street next to the building that was a very steep hill. I never did make it to the top, but I tried. My husband convinced me it was a bad idea to walk our home neighborhood at 5am, and there was no way I was exercising after a crazy day at work. After a few weeks, I let myself get sucked back into the craziness of my job and my walking breaks petered out. I kept making changes in my food regimen, so I felt like I was still moving forward even if I wasn’t actually moving much.
It wasn’t until this past year that real changes started to be seen. My sister-in-law, Monica urged me to walk with her every week. I finally agreed and we started walking 2-3 times each week. I’m sure she would disagree, but I think she’s a very healthy person. She has a soft spot for cookies, but other than that she eats well and exercises regularly. When we started, she was kind and let me walk as far as I could. I think I did 3/4 of a mile. Since then, we walk together less, but I’ve come to like walking around my neighborhood alone. The last walk I measured fully was 3.3 miles! I was amazed. So, every time I go out, I walk a little farther and try to walk a little faster. I walk one more block past where I walked the previous time. In a way, it’s the same as taking that first action in a big plan. That step (or that block) leads to the next, and to the next, and so on and so on.
When Summer rolled around, I knew my next step was getting into a pool. Monica and I swapped our organized walking time with aqua aerobics at the local community pool. Let me just say, I was not at all comfortable going out in public in a swimsuit. NOT AT ALL! But I decided it was something I wanted to try because there would be less strain on my knees. Turns out, no one cares what I look like in a swimsuit. They’re in the low impact water aerobics class for a reason, too. It’s fun, it’s cool in the heat, and I’m moving more. That’s all that really matters.
So folks…take that one step. Is there a class at the “Y” that looks interesting? Maybe you have a set of weights calling your name in the basement. Maybe you need some relaxation time with a beginner’s yoga class. Whatever that one step is for you, just take it! Seriously! TAKE IT! See where it leads you. As long as you move more than the day before, you’re ahead of the game.
See you next time…
and my striking Copy Editor, Billy
So happy for you Annette! This is great. Sure do miss your sweet voice.
Thanks so much Kelly! I do miss so many from the “good ol’ days”.
This was inspiring. Just one step.