Within walking distance

~ Tara R.

pants2

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

365 Days of Grace

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20 thoughts on “Within walking distance”

  1. Hi Tara,
    Found your blog on NaBloPoMo – and 45 pounds is an incredible achievement! Congratulations. And all the best for a great fitness journey!
    Watch your health though, it’s easy to get over-enthused! 😉
    Cheers!

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  2. Congrats to you! That’s a very impressive feat of mental strength that it takes to stick to a plan long enough to make those kind of changes. Something I haven’t yet been able to do, lol! When you walk, do you walk outdoors in different spots, hiking in the woods, etc? Or do you walk on a track somewhere?

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    1. Thanks, Cheney! I live in a small town, and am surrounded by quiet neighborhoods. I walk there most days, but I have been known to go off road, and hike some of the many trails at local state parks. I enjoy mixing it up. I have a GPS on my phone, so I usually manage to not get lost.

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  7. You rock! That’s almost exactly where I am, minus the weight loss. Ha. But-I didn’t get where I am overnight and I won’t get to where I want to be overnight, right? This gives me hope! Well done!

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    1. Kori, if I can do it, I think anyone can. The only thing I have, that someone else might not, is time. I can go for a 1.5 hour walk, but any amount of time spent walking, or on any kind of physical activity, is worth it.

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  8. Wow! 45lbs is a great accomplishment and I love your simple, but effective approach. I found your post via the NaBloPoMo link up. Congratulations on your success and best of luck in your continued fitness journey! 🙂

    Katie @ Freckled Latte

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