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Lighten Your Limbs With Friends
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
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OK, people, it's week 6 - the half way mark. My limbs might not be any lighter, but I know I am getting stronger and healthier. How many of you who started this journey are still with us? If not, I encourage you to renew your commitment to healthy living and get On The Road Again. And if you are still with, way to go and keep it up!
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4 Reactions@marvinjsturing Raising my hand and saying "here"! I'm with it, but as you all know I have been doing this for a quite a while and basically trying to get re-energized, all of this exercising has been getting a bit old. I am about to do something though, just haven't quite decided if I will go to the gym, do my recumbent bike, or do pool jogging.
I am having trouble with doing intervals, I tend to want to keep things going at a high pace despite knowing that the trend now is that intervals are really better for you.
JK
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3 Reactions@marvinjsturing I was away yesterday so could not post, but I am so delighted that you posted. It's exciting that we are almost at the halfway mark! Who would have thought it? The 25 minutes this 6th week is not as hard as Week 1 to me, so I think we are all getting more limber along with lightening our limbs. It has been wonderful to read the posts from you and others who have continued the walk. JK is right about intervals being better than drawn out exercises. The body needs to start slowly and end the same way. In the middle is the push. I like it that way and hope the other walkers do too. Before we know it, we'll be in 2019 and celebrating the completion of our twelve weeks. I am so looking forward to saying that. After twelve, I am going to continue; I am definitely in the Mayo plan exercise now. Willie's "On the Road Again" and other inspiring songs have made me feel a spring in my step. I like the feeling of accomplishment and lightening my limbs even more.
Carol
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3 ReactionsI am finding the same thing. When I first started, I thought walking would get harder as the time increased, but my 25 minute walk this morning was no problem! Things are going so well, I'm sure I will also continue after the 12 weeks are up. Thanks for getting us started and for continuing to encourage us along the way.
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4 ReactionsI feel we need a small celebration today because we are halfway through the Mayo Walking Plan. What a success! Now, six more weeks and it will be 2019 and into January and people who make New Years Resolutions to exercise will probably have quit. We'll be walking along and feeling light and healthier. I am so happy that we've made it to the six week mark. I certainly marked today with a big flourish! I hope the others who are walking are feeling really proud of themselves too. Just think how we'll be after 12 weeks---Wow! How is everybody doing?
Carol
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3 ReactionsThe first part of the week, I was thinking I had reached my limit, but I kept at it and things got better. Now ready and willing to continue on!
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4 ReactionsGreat @marvinjsturing! We're going to make it and be so glad we finished what we started. Then, this good exercise habit will keep us going through the rest of winter and into spring. By the time the new buds come up and the leaves turn green, we'll be hopping around like the bunnies. I am just so proud of all of us.
Carol
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3 ReactionsI'm so glad you have an exercise routine that you like. I agree that water classes are a lot of fun. When I was working on regaining my balance after a bout with sepsis they were a life saver for me until I could back to dancing on dry land. Don't be too hard on your parents. My dad was an avid runner all of his life, but died from an aggressive form of skin cancer that was probably in part due to his running in sunny southern California. My mom hates to exercise and would rather drive the two short blocks to the store than walk, but she is going strong at 85. Sometimes it's just the luck of the genes.
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2 Reactions@ginaquilts I'm not sure if this is to me or to @contentandwell. But, those of us walking or doing any exercise are feeling positive and proud that we've continued working on Lightening our Limbs. If you don't like any exercise but dance, then that's great too. "Different Strokes for Different Folks" as they say. I believe the point not to be a couch potato. Some are walking the Mayo Plan; some are doing water exercises; some are going to the gym, and who knows what else. I am just glad we haveven't quit. It sounds as if you are satisfied with your situation----dancing and eating what you want. That's fine, since it works for you. I am happy if that fulfills your plan. I hope you stay well and active. If you have questions, I'd be glad to try to answer or help you find an answer. Is there anything I can do for you?
Carol
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1 ReactionWhoa, Retired Teacher! If you bothered to actually read my post, I was responding to TK (@contentandwell) whose parents died at a relatively young age and was wondering if they would have lived longer had they been active. I am not a couch potato by any means and, in addition to dance, I also ski, surf, scuba dive, play a little water polo, and I'm working towards my black belt in tae kwon do. I totally support and celebrate whatever activity that keeps people moving. As I've said before, most people won't stick with an activity unless it is something they enjoy. Keep moving and enjoy! (And, yes, I am continuing to eat a not so kidney-friendly diet because that is what is right for me.)