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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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@ginaquilts I did bother to read the post, but because you inserted my contact info, I received the post also so thought you wanted a response. I was just reinforcing your choice for doing what works for you, just as others do what works for them. If that was not clear, I apologize.
I hope you have enjoyable holidays.
Carol
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1 Reaction@retiredteacher Carol, I was doing great until today, I sort of "hit a wall". Tomorrow hopefully I will be back to getting some exercise in. Today I did some Christmas wrapping and am just sort of tired. I hate it though when my fitness tracker shows NOTHING.
JK
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1 ReactionI think hitting that wall happens at intervals @contentandwell. The Mayo Plan said it could be five days on with two days off. When I was a fanatic exerciser back when I was young, I remember one instructor saying the body needs to rest. She didn't like for people to spend 24/7 exercising.
I had to take yesterday off because my husband had his appointment for injections in his eye. He had an eye stroke a year ago and has to go every six weeks. It is also very tiring and takes about three hours to go through all the stations before the procedure.
We all get tired. Just allow yourself to relax and rejuvenate; it works wonders. I'm just glad each day is a new start and if I take time off, I can get started again and not feel guilty.
Give yourself some time to get some energy back.
Carol
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2 Reactions@retiredteacher Thanks, Carol. I really was almost fanatical this past week because I want so much to drop some pounds, so hopefully, I will be back in form tomorrow. No water classes on Sundays but I will go in the afternoon and do my own "water jogging". I like to alternate water and the gym, and I do not do water classes on Mondays, I don't care for the instructors.
JK
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1 ReactionYou are lucky to have a gym and different exercise options. There is nothing where we live; we'd have to drive 20+ miles and that's not what we want to do. We have a treadmill and the stairs and working around the house, so we're getting our walking in and some other exercise. It's helping. My husband is doing it too. He has heart disease and his blood pressure is just barely under control. so, the exercise helps him.
Have a good Sunday. It's hard to believe that Christmas is upon us.
Carol
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1 ReactionI've been hiding from exercise. I'm in the Fitness Protection Program.
A couple of weeks ago was tough. I couldn't get motivated and the walking was difficult. This past week was much better. A week of success increases my motivation and I am looking forward to continuing and completing this 12 week program. The kids and grandkids will be coming home on Monday adding joy to the season. Merry Christmas, everyone!
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1 Reaction@marvinjsturing I just had to laugh out loud at the Fitness Protection Program. How clever you are! I am doing one mile a day and walking for 32 minutes. My old self won't go any faster. That way I get the exercise I need and work the plan, just adjust it for what I can do. If I can do more some days, I will, but right now I'm moving, and that's what I need. I feel healthier and stronger, so that's the goal for me. I'll continue these first 12 weeks. Then, I will continue another 12 weeks. Exercise is now part of my daily routine. Since I haven't exercised in so long, getting back in step is hard, but it's doable. Remember, Mayo says do what is comfortable. Walk five days out of seven, or if you need more off, then you decide. I know I will keep going.
Before we know it, we will have finished 12 weeks! That's three months! I am really excited. Today ends SEVEN WEEKS!!!! That's amazing to me.
I hope you have wonderful holidays with your family. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Carol
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1 Reaction@retiredteacher Carol, I wish I was the clever one, but I stole the Witness Protection line from somebody else. It is the kind of humor I like and it was just too good not to pass it along.
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1 Reaction@marvinjsturing you must be so pleased with yourself. I always say, when I am trying to lose weight, that success breeds success and for me it’s true.
JK
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2 ReactionsHi @contentandwell, How are you doing? Today was the end of the 7th week of Lighten Your Limbs. You are absolutely right that success breeds success. It feels great to say today ended the 7th week of exercise. I'll miss two days over the weekend when we have our son home for Christmas. He only gets two days off, so we have to make the most of every minute.So my 8th week will be five days. But, that's okay. I'm still Walking On with Willie and Connect members who are continuing.
We do not buy presents for each other. We give to local food banks and toy drives for children. Our county is one of the poorest in the state so there are many people who need everything. So sad. But we need nothing, so we spend on others. It makes me happy, and we just enjoy being together.
Carol
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