Measure Your Progress In Smiles – Not Miles
Posted on Wednesday, April 8th, 2009
Okay, American Heart Association, we hear ya… a gentle reminder to all of us to get off our butts and get out there and walk. The AHA is promoting an active lifestyle with their National Start Walking Day today, April 8, 2009. Starting a walking program of exercise takes determination, a good pair of shoes, and some supportive people to spur you along on your way.
When you start walking, you usually have a specific goal. “I’m going to walk 5 miles today” or “I’m going to walk for 1 hour today” or “I’m going to walk all day if it kills me because I’m not losing any weight this way.” That last one isn’t so smart, but many of us feel that way. We start a walking program, don’t see any results in the first week, and get frustrated and quit or get frustrated and walk too far and too fast, getting injured in the process. Patience is not something we come by naturally… especially when it comes to results from exercise. We want them now, please.
I have learned my lesson, however, through the years and years that I have walked for exercise. Results do come, but they come slowly… at first. If you can get through the first month or two without getting discouraged and quitting, you will see results. You will get stronger, at first, but maybe without seeing any difference in your size or shape. But then, out of the blue, you put on a pair of pants and voila! They fit!
The first sign for me that this walking stuff was really working was when I noticed I quit huffing and puffing going up the hills. The change seemed to come suddenly and was quite delightful. Once my lungs got stronger, I could walk further, faster, and started seeing my shape improve. That’s when I quite measuring every step of every mile I walked… and I started to smile instead and forgot to count the miles.
It wasn’t easy and it didn’t come overnight, but it did happen. Walking became a habit. If I missed my walk for some reason it disturbed me and I couldn’t wait to get out there the next day. I hope you can make it your habit, also.
Then, before you know it, you’ll be measuring your progress in smiles, too.
Subscribe to RemarkableWrinklies.com by Email
