Wonder of Wonders, Miracle of Miracles

They say that a picture is worth a thousand words so I’m going to begin this post with a picture…but then I’ll add lots of words below the picture as well.  You didn’t think you’d get out of it that easy, did you?

 Please do not adjust your computer screen.  Yes, the picture is correct and, no, it’s not a photo shop.  Number 1192 in this picture is yours truly.

Now for the explanation.  Our Weight Watcher instructor recently challenged our class to join her for the Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot in Watertown, NY on November 27^th.  I accepted that challenge and today I actually ran (and walked..a lot) my first 5K run.  Now I should explain that my daily routine is to try and walk an hour or more near my home.  The total distance of that walk is 4 ½ miles so, technically, I have been walking more than 5K on a daily basis for a while now.  I recently added some short runs (now about 200 steps) to my walk and repeat that several times during the hour long exercise.  Sooooooo, it seemed like it was time to “step it up” (pun intended) and join some type of “race”.

The Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot was the answer.  It includes all ages and abilities and takes place early on Thanksgiving Day.  I thought I could give this kind of activity a try as a way of “coming out” as a man who has determined that he really wants to be serious not only about losing some weight but also in increasing his level of physical activity on a more regular, permanent basis.  Now for the outcome.

I felt great in completing this event today.  I was walking/running with about 1400 others who had joined the Turkey Trot and no one cared whether you ran, walked or crawled.  They were all part of the excitement of and early morning experience with a large group of like thinkers and that was great.  Being a part of such a large group was, in itself, kind of exciting and encouraging.  You weren’t just watching people race, you were one of the “runners”.  I’m about half way to my weight loss goal and as I continue to lose, issues like a bad knee and bad back are less and less noticeable.  As the weight continues to come off I hope to increase my ability to run longer and longer during my daily exercise to the point that I will be able to truly call myself a “runner” at some future 5Ks.

I want to encourage all of you to “step it up” in your own life as well.  If that means walking all the way to the end of the block and back then that’s great.  If you can work up to two blocks or eventually around the block then you are on your way.  Pick an activity you think you would enjoy and get started.  Maybe it’s riding a bike or some other activity.  Try it out and then, once you get used to it, “step it up” in one way or another.  The changes don’t have to be huge, just press yourself to add just a bit more to your activity level.  As you reach the point where you find small victories (like actually participating in a public "race") you will feel better and better about yourself. 

I’ll leave you with another picture I found from a local news agency that was posted along with dozens more taken during today’s race.  These pictures will remind me that “Yes I Can” make a difference in my physical exercise and  my physical ability.  I guess that’s one of the reasons I’m in WW in the first place.  I not only want to lose weight but I want to develop a more healthy lifestyle so this weight loss can be permanent.  I want to encourage you to join me.  And speaking of encouragement, you will never guess who was standing at the finish line today, long after she had already finished her own race.  Yup, it was that same little Weight Watcher instructor I mentioned earlier.  As I ran across the finish line I could hear someone cheering up ahead.  Not only had she encouraged me to start this race but she was there to encourage me to cross that first finish line.  Thanks Alison!  You are a great encourager.  I hope this blog site can be an encouragement to some of you.  I plan to “Step It Up”, won’t you join me?  God bless.