Lighten Your Limbs With Friends

Posted by Retired Teacher @retiredteacher, Oct 28, 2018

Hello all. I have Diabetes 2 and have avoided exercise for over 2 1/2 years. I am overweight and know that I need to get moving and lose weight. I have always had excuses not to do anything much before. I have a treadmill, and I look at it, but I never use it. A few weeks ago, I decided that it is time to lighten my limbs. I received my Mayo newsletter. and it included a twelve-week Exercise Plan. It was like fate that I had decided to exercise and Mayo dropped the perfect routine in my lap. Because it's 12 weeks and not years and years, as some plans are, the Mayo is doable. They're not asking me to run a marathon!
It's a way to get stronger and healthier. However, one part was missing: I need to be accountable to somebody else. I would love for other Connects to join me so that we could celebrate our success each week. I don't want to wait to January when all we hear is "New Year, New You." So I thought it would be good to start before the bombardment of ads for gym equipment and promises to lose many pounds too fast (and gain it back even faster). I needed a plan that will work for me and anybody else, and Mayo has given it to us.
Let's get a jump on 2019 by finishing strong in 2018. If we start the first week on Friday, November 2, 2018 (only four days from now), it will propel us through the weekend and keep us going. Just think: By January 25th, we will have completed the 12 weeks. Just when other people are trying to keep their exercise resolutions, we'll have finished 12 weeks. We'll be lighter, heathier, and stronger. We also will have gotten into the habit of exercising and hopefully, do another 12 weeks. Doesn't that sound good? To be able to say, "I'm healthier and feel so much better and have lighter limbs." For the first time I am excited to exercise, but I need others to come along with me. I need the accountability.
Please join me and give it a try. Come along with me so we can say it's not just my 12 weeks, but it's our 12 weeks. The first week asks us to do 5 minutes of warm up, five minutes of brisk walking, and five minutes of cool down. That's only 15 minutes. I can do that! The walking is the speed that you are comfortable with. The warm up and cool down are just slower walking. It can be outside, in your house, at a gym---wherever you feel comfortable and whatever time of day is convenient. Nothing required except determination and desire to make it 12 weeks.
I'll post the exercise times for each week once we get started. Let's give this gift to ourselves and improve throughout the holidays. If you have any questions, send me a note, and I'll answer what I have from Mayo.
Everybody's walking! Sounds great to me.

@retiredteacher
Volunteer Mentor

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Diabetes & Endocrine System Support Group.

Retired Teacher | @retiredteacher | Nov 16, 2018

In reply to @marvinjsturing "Successfully completed another week. Ready for the next level!" + (show)

@marvinjsturing I replied and just as I was signing out, the reply disappeared or went into cyber space or wherever emails go that are lost. I hope you are feeling better and stronger. This Walking Plan really has made a difference for me in only two weeks. I haven't heard from several who were going to try it, but I hope they are moving and getting some good vibes from the Plan. We just have to Keep on Keeping On with Willie On the Road Again every day we can, and I honestly believe we'll get to week 12 and be so proud.
Walk on.
@retiredteacher, Carol
Volunteer Mentor

woodinville | @woodinville | Nov 16, 2018

In reply to @hopeful33250 "@retiredteacher Ok, here is my update, while I have not been walking or biking (no room..." + (show)

Love it! I did it yesterday, walked 2 miles...found bones and muscles on me I never knew were here, haha. Hurt a little, but feel sp proud. Did it.didn't make my usual excuses.

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Nov 16, 2018

In reply to @retiredteacher "@hopeful33250 I feel better after the first two weeks. Maybe it's all in my mind, but..." + (show)

I understand what you are saying, Carol @retiredteacher . Exercise does affect our mood as well as our body! On to happier and healthier days as we go down the road again with friends.

JK | @contentandwell | Nov 16, 2018

In reply to @retiredteacher "@hopeful33250 I feel better after the first two weeks. Maybe it's all in my mind, but..." + (show)

@retiredteacher Carol, I love your positive attitude. I must admit, I go to the gym at my health club, but I grumble all of the way there. Afterward though, I do feel good about having gone and done it.
JK

JK | @contentandwell | Nov 16, 2018

In reply to @hopeful33250 "I understand what you are saying, Carol @retiredteacher . Exercise does affect our mood as well..." + (show)

@hopeful33250 This is exactly what I was thinking on Wednesday. I missed my morning water aerobics because I was sort of woozy from my new medication, and I was in a bad mood too, sort of depressed. I really had to force myself to go to the gym that afternoon and part of my incentive was because exercise does help to make you feel better. It did help a bit too. When I go to the gym part of my club I am generally the oldest person there I think.
JK

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Nov 16, 2018

I know what you mean about feeling like the oldest one there, @contentandwell. I suppose we could look at it as setting an example for the younger folks to follow when they get out age😂

JK | @contentandwell | Nov 16, 2018

@hopeful33250 I just try to feel sort of proud that despite being old, I am still working at staying strong. I had a personal trainer for five sessions and she claimed that there were many people my age and older but I haven't seen them there.
JK

Retired Teacher | @retiredteacher | Nov 16, 2018

In reply to @hopeful33250 "I know what you mean about feeling like the oldest one there, @contentandwell. I suppose we..." + (show)

@hopeful33250 I think it is a way to think about being at the gym to consider yourself as a model for the younger ones who seemingly do everything with little or no effort. I doubt that you are the oldest or that @contentandwell is either. You may be older at your gym, but I am probably the oldest on Lighten Your Limbs. I may be the oldest VM. I am 74! Good grief; I shock myself when I say that age. My mind doesn't think that old, but my body does. When people say age is just a number, that doesn't work for me. The number does matter, and as we age, we have to adjust accordingly. There are things I cannot do now that I could do ten years ago. That's a fact. My mind might want to, but the number doesn't go along with the plan. But, that's okay. I have to try to figure out what to do at 74 and quit worry about what I did before that age. It works for me. My husband likes to say, "We have to play the hand we are dealt." He is so right. I am just delighted that the exercise is working, and that I have good Connect friends to keep me accountable and share Willie's road. On Thanksgiving, I am definitely going to say thanks for the Connect Mentors and Moderators. I am lucky to have you.
I think we are all doing terrific. Mayo really had this figured out to ease into a longer time and more distance. It works! I can't wait to say that I'm walking even more.
@retiredteacher, Carol
Volunteer Mentor

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Nov 16, 2018

In reply to @retiredteacher "@hopeful33250 I think it is a way to think about being at the gym to consider..." + (show)

I wish I could "Double-Like" your post, @retiredteacher, Carol. You said some good things! In terms of age, I'm right behind you at 70, I really can't believe that either.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Nov 16, 2018

In reply to @woodinville "Love it! I did it yesterday, walked 2 miles...found bones and muscles on me I never..." + (show)

@woodinville, so good to be proud of the hurt! I particularly like how you were able to escape the pattern and didn't throw your usual excuses to block your success. Way to go!

What's on the program for you tomorrow?