Log: Day 16
Feeling: Tired
WebMD says approximately 61% of adults in the USA are overweight. And according to the Surgeon General, about 300,000 deaths each year are linked to obesity. Those are sobering numbers, and a little scary.
The Surgeon General and the National Academy of Sciences recommend that we get an hour of physical activity every day in order to lose weight. Others say we need to exercise for at least 30 minutes, 3-5 days a week. And I’m doing that, at least in as much as I get about 90 minutes of water exercise. My current plan is to go M, T, Th, F, Sa.
But what if I can’t get myself in gear for more?
It’s hard to make a healthier life change when you’re trying to change all of your habits fairly dramatically. I don’t want to set myself up for failure! I’ve cleaned the cupboards, purchased the healthy foods, going to the pool, and now what? How do I make additional exercise so easy that I barely notice I’m doing it? According to Fitbit, it’s as easy as adding extra steps to my daily routine.
Step counting programs have been gaining popularity thanks to devices like Fitbit – simply tracking the steps you take in a day. Log your steps to figure out your average, then work to increase them. Nearly every step program suggests an optimum number as 10,000/day. What?!?! The week I started, I was averaging 1000. In all fairness, this isn’t because I’m lazy, it’s just that walking is quite painful – the more steps, the greater the pain. So I set my goal for 1500. I’ve gradually increased that over the past four months and am now at 2500. In busy weeks, I’ve managed a few days of 3500, but my body reminds me of that the next day. My Fitbit gives me a little celebration when I hit my goal, and also recently sent me a happy celebration email – just to let me know how I’m doing over time – 70 lifetime miles, which isn’t too great.
I find myself in a difficult dilemma in that I need to walk more to lose weight, and when I walk more my pain level becomes unmanageable. Everyone (doctors included) just tell me to try and walk more. Good grief. So … where does that leave me? I guess all the adages apply … it starts with baby steps … you have to walk before you run … the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step … take small steps every day and one day you’ll get there … the secret of getting ahead is getting started. I won’t be walking 10,000 any time soon, but I’ll keep trying.
Some other thoughts for today:
There are numerous walk systems out there. One of those is Wii Fit. The Wii has lost some popularity since it’s early days. And perhaps the machines are more widely used for gaming now. But I really enjoyed all aspects of wii fit and my fit board. Unfortunately, I’m currently too heavy for the fit board. But as soon as I get under the limit, I will definitely get back to it!
The other walking that is easy for me to do and minimally painful is “mall walking.” Okay, I don’t actually go to a mall, I simply stop at a store … and walk. I’m actually much more stable and can go greater distances with a grocery cart. I concentrate on maintaining good posture and am aided by the cart for balance.
And my Fitbit? I didn’t really want one … and now it is my friend! I very much enjoy tracking my sleep, seeing my weight change over time, and yes, tracking my steps!
http://sansbs.net/menu-day-16/
Way to go! Remember that walking wii thing I have that you get to walk thru a town and get prizes? anyway you are walking and kind of gaming at the same time…It came with a mat – no fitboard…maybe you could do that? I can look if you want…Just let me know!
I’ll check into that!
Glad the FitBit is your buddy Mine too. I hit 4400 one day and about couldn’t walk the next day. Small steps my unhappy derrière ! But yes agreed in all of the above.