I feel stronger when I go for a walk. I know that when I walk I feel much healthier. Walking not only helps me get in shape, it also helps me clear my mind. After my mother passed away, I can honestly say that I only moved for a year. The second year I tried to move more, but my muscles were weak and my motivation was low. Not a good combination for a woman my age who gained 34 pounds in a short time.
January 2016 was the first time since my mother’s passing that I truly felt mentally and emotionally like myself again. Did you notice I didn’t include physically feeling like myself in that sentence? With a rapid weight gain of 34 pounds, I didn’t feel like myself.
All of my friends were signing up for the Sacramento Shamrock 5k. They really wanted me to go with them. I hadn’t walked a 5k without a break in over two years. I wanted to be part of the team, but I was afraid that I would be taken to the finish line in the back of the medical cart. I knew that if I let this opportunity pass me by, I would still be afraid of failing. I signed up for the hike and hoped for the best.
It was fun to participate in something physical with my friends. We had an agreement that “no one would be left behind.” The nine of us finished the race together and it was exciting. We yelled and cheered as if we had crossed the finish line at the head of the pack. Actually, we were close to the end, but who cares? We did it and we did it together as a team.
My fears and nerves were unjustified. I finished and didn’t take any breaks! It felt great to achieve a much needed and desired goal. My goal this year is to get in shape and feel stronger. I am well on my way.
My friends and I have already signed up for the Bubble 5K in June. I’m not even sure what that is, but I’m doing it with my friends. I hope to beat my shamrock 5k time of 1 hour and 4 minutes. Regardless of my time in the Bubble 5k, if I’m off the couch, I’m making great progress. Walking makes me feel stronger. The more I walk, the stronger my legs, back, hips, mind and self-esteem become. Walking costs me nothing, but not walking costs me everything.