WEAR ME OUT !

 

  I've often made it a challenge and goal of mine to "walk my weight off". (I'm appx. 275 lbs.. who knows how many kg's this is?.. either way you measure it, it's way too much!)  I've started walking before, only to let it lapse..  the couch and rocking chair is more alluring at times.  This spring, I've jumped on the bandwagon once again.   I've registered at : www.mapmywalk.com and started trying to walk daily, or at least 3 or 4 times a week.  I've been averaging anywhere from 2-6 miles on my walks.  The six-miler two weekends ago nearly "killed" me.  The "Map My Walk" site allows you to map out a route, and this one I've nicknamed "WEAR ME OUT", so that that warning will be there, should I one day attempt to hike that trail again. (see below)  As you can tell by the bright red trail markings, this route took me practically all over my town.

My "WEAR ME OUT" Walking Route: 6.87 miles!

 

   I remember that day, I just set out walking, and did not have a definite route in mind, but had the entire afternoon to walk, and nothing else planned.  So I just started walking. Sounds like or reminds me of Forrest Gump.  For no real reason.  I just started walking.  HA HA!  Boy, was I in for a "treat".  I found myself at the far apex of my walk, and still very far from home.  I got to a place between Mahaley Avenue & Grove Street called Forest Hill Park, it's an expansive (big!), green, grassy area that has walking paths.  It's part of what's called "The Greenway" here.  As I entered, I encountered a couple on a park bench, and jokingly asked them, "What do you do when you're at the END of your walk, and you're still a LONG WAY from home?"  They just laughed.  I was beginning to get tired myself.  

   By the time I cleared this park, I headed to Hurley & City Park, two adjacent areas nearby.  Then I made my way to Fulton Street, and took the long, straight path down to my home street, which is right before S. Main Street.  Then, as I turned onto my street, I counted the blocks until reaching my house, upon which I dragged myself up onto the porch, and exhausted, fell headlong into the rocking chair.  A family member brought me a cold glass of a mix of lemonade and ginger ale, and I sipped slowly, barely having enough energy to enjoy the drink.

   I don't know how I'd get by on my walks if it were not for my walking partners, my little buddies "Pandora" & "Spotify".  A friend today called them my "vicious dogs"! Yeah, they "bark" pretty loud through those headphones of mine.  But seriously, I so enjoy clicking on different favorite artists and listening to their music while I'm walking along the streets, getting my daily exercise.  It makes it so much more enjoyable.  I've already done so, but thanks to my pastor, Chris, who reminded me about PANDORA & then another friend, who told me that they were using SPOTIFY..  I got "turned on" and "tuned in" to these great music resources.

  So I've been listening on my daily walking journeys to artists like these and others :  

• Sarah McLachlan

• The Beatles

• Paul McCartney 

• Amy Grant

• Phil Keaggy

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I'll be posting more about my walks and my newfound musical friends soon, so keep posted !   

Thanks a lot for checking my blog out !

Bob the 1500 Meter Man

   I just walked a 1500 meter walk this morning at a local college with a group of other walkers in the RCSG competition.   

   My time for 1500 meters was 14:10.  Is that okay ?  One of you walkers let me know.

  MORE LATER.. 

New Health & Fitness Opportunities

   For some time, I've been looking and searching for a group with which to go walking.  I've found some friends, but each time I find someone, they go with a program of walking consistently every week, or whatever schedule, and then drop off after a few times.  It's been extremely discouraging and frustrating for me, as I've been committed each time to following through with it.

  I was surprised and glad to find a new group starting up called the "Outdoor Adventure Club" at the Rufty-Holmes Senior Center.  I'm a young senior in my fifties.  This group is going to dedicate itself to getting outside and having some fun, walking and hiking.  I am thrilled to become a part of this group.  

   We are starting with a lunch hike in April in a local park.  Then in May, we are planning to go for an evening hike at Boone's Cave, a location about thirty minutes from home. Then we will be planning other trips and excursions for the rest of spring and summer.

  SOUNDS LIKE FUN ??!  YAY !!

The Hell of Health & Fitness

   The agony and ecstasy.   The thrill of victory.  The agony of defeat.   I remember the old ABC "Wide World of Sports" intro (do you?) where the skier would come down the slopes and then wipe out, looking like they've broken every bone in their miserable body.   Well, sometimes that's how I feel when I get out of bed in the morning. (!)

   That's the "hell" of Health of Fitness.  I want it.  I need it.  But I don't crave it.  I don't dedicate myself to it.  I don't really want it badly enough.  What I do want is that double hamburger, or that tray of french fries, or that piece of chocolate cake.  Wow!  That's the ecstasy.  Aaah!

   But the feeling I've been having lately has not been ecstatic, it has not been anything close to it.  I've been having the "blah's" at times, thinking about my physical condition and wondering what to do about it.  Oh sure, I "know" what to "do" about it.  But to actually implement that into my daily routine, and enjoy doing it, and maintain it for very long, that is the ticket.  The ticket that I do not have, and can't seem to acquire.

   Look at the picture (above/left).  It's a "selfie".. well kinda.  It's a picture of my open shirt button.  See, a friend bought this shirt for me recently.  It was a good deal.  And I thought it was my size.  Turns out that in some styles of clothing, I'm no longer an "XL".  I guess that I've graduated into an "XXL."  Stretch shirts, those with elastic and no buttons, seem to fit me better.  I sorta gradually became comfortable in and with that, and began to forget about the ramifications of this occurrence.

   I've somehow grown to believe that because I play basketball once or twice a week, and often take walks, and "I don't look as bad as him", [see pic @ right] that I am physically "fit" or healthy.  The fact of the matter is :  I'm not.   I'm not ready to die of a heart attack or stroke just yet.  But I'm facing the facts : sometimes I'm just not up to the challenge of getting myself fit.  I'd like for my waist size to begin with a "3" again.  I'd like to get rid of the "belly rolls" and not feel challenged when I tie my shoes or bend over to pick something up off the floor.

  OK : here's the real deal :  I'm going to divulge to the entire world the private problems that I'm faced with..  I weighed in last night at 275.   I got up to 292 lbs., and when I saw myself face-to-face with being a 300-pounder, and being able to wear my dad's 3X and 4X shirts, it got a bit scary.  And I determined that I was not going to approach that mark.  So I went down to 270, and was heading, I thought, to 250.  Then the holidays laughed in my face, and I'm back up to 275. 

  But here's my pledge to myself, first, and to all of you listeners (yes, all three of you!). I'm going to win this battle.  It may take a while, but here's my goal :  I'm going to get myself down to my "playing weight", (ha) -as if I were a real athlete- I want to be under 200 lbs. again.  It will not happen overnight.  It will take months and months of effort.   But what I do promise to myself is that I will see results each and every day and week along the way.   

   Thank God the ice cream parlor five blocks from my house moved.  It's now an auto parts store.  So I appreciate the fact that when I'm walking by there, if I get hungry and have an urge, it won't be satisfied by a spark plug or a radiator.  Yes- I know- that doesn't mean that food won't be available, it will still be as close as my refrigerator, but I don't have to give in to it anymore.

   I saw an article today about how that "high fructose corn syrup" is in almost everything that we buy, certainly everything that is in fast food restaurants and canned goods.  I guess it tastes good, because I've never complained about it being there.  But I've begun to understand that some things are there but are unhealthy for us, and whoever is making the stuff is not taking the time to tell us about it, and certainly not willing to remove it.

   I went to a few health seminars lately.   I was about like the smoker whose doctor told him to quit, so he came to a decision : one to stop.. going to doctors.   But recently, the point has begun to hit home.  Right now, I'm sorta "in the middle" :  I'm eating some good things, I've begun "juicing", that is blending up fruits and veggies in a processor, and drinking the amalgamated result.   It's actually good :  apples, pineapple, oranges, strawberries, carrots, even beets.. all blended  into a wonderfully healthy drink. But sad to say, I'm still doing the "dollar menus" at local fast food restaurants, often it's not the healthy way, but the "cheap and easy" way out.

   Say a prayer for me.  I need some help to accomplish this goal.  If you are around, consider becoming my walking or work-out partner.  I need some encouragement.  Let's play some basketball, or take a five-mile walk, or at least watch an exercise video while we eat dessert. (!)

   HERE'S TO HEALTH & FITNESS!  Mine.. and yours.