Within walking distance

Last year about this time I went in for my annual physical. When the nurse took my ‘particulars,’ my weight came in at just this < side of 200 pounds.

I rationalized that as long as that first number was still 100, I was good. A few months later I went in for my yearly visit with my rheumatologist. By then, my weight had finally tipped the scales on the wrong side of 200. I was mortified, and was finally motivated to do something about it.

Part of my Christmas swag included some pre-paid gift cards. With those, I got myself a fitness tracker. I started walking five miles a day, and keeping a diary of what I ate. I cut down on portion sizes, made sure I had plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, bought leaner cuts of meat, and reduced the number of sodas I drank per day.

I set a goal of losing 50 pounds by my 52nd birthday. I didn’t hit that goal, but I have lost 45 pounds. I’m good with that… really good. I’m still walking, still watching what I eat, and am still aiming for that original loss goal.

This past weekend, it was finally cold enough to get out our winter clothes. A lot of the clothes I had in storage, don’t fit any more. One bin of stuff included a pair of pants I got shortly after I started my walking blitzkrieg. They are size 18. My daughter snapped a quick pic of me holding up the now, too-big jeans. It was very gratifying to see such a graphic depiction of my weight loss.

Since Feb. 14, I’ve walked 1,287 miles, and have taken 2,967,900 steps.

“Anywhere is walking distance, if you’ve got the time.” ~ Stephen Wright

I’m grateful for:

1. Fresh fruits and vegetables
2. A great playlist for power walking
3. My fitness tracker, which keeps me honest
4. New size 10 jeans