I have started jogging.
Two weeks ago I went for a walk after work. The track has quarter mile markings, and something possessed me to try jogging for 1/4 mile. It was so hard! (I later realized that I had chosen an uphill quarter mile- smart.) But the next day I walked with a little more jogging mixed in. The next day a little more. This week I have been walking to the track (maybe 1/4 mile from my office) after work, jogging around the track once, which equals 1.054 miles, and then walking back to my car.
I am able to do that in about 28 or 29 minutes, and then pick Tommy up from his sitter's all before 6 pm. The only drawback is that I don't really cool down much afterwards, so I show up at L's house all sweaty and tomato-red-faced. (I am one of those people whose faces turn bright red at the slightest exertion, and then stay red for an hour.)
I have jogged (please note that I don't use the word run) 12 out of the past 14 days. I go so slowly that all the other joggers pass me. Some of the runners pass me like 3 times during my one lap around the track.
I just feel good that I have finally figured out something that works for me. I have never been an athlete. But in high school, college, and pre-son married life, I did exercise pretty regularly. Henry's birth sent that out the window. I didn't have the time in the evenings to spare anymore. I think when he was 8 months old or so, I started getting up and walking at 5 am. That plan worked for a few years- I liked having the quiet time to myself in the mornings.
But the morning thing doesn't really work anymore. And I'm finally changing my preconception that "you have to exercise for 45 minutes or it doesn't count." So now I think I've found something that I can squeeze in a half hour- make myself sweat a lot, make my muscles work a little, and not take away from work or family or any of the other things I juggle.
I don't have lofty long-term aims of running marathons, or fitting into my pre-baby clothes. (Those would be nice side affects, don't get me wrong.) Right now I just have the day-to-day challenge of keeping up with this and trying to change the way I feel about myself- getting back a little control. Wish me luck.
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6 comments:
YOU CAN DO IT!!
When Conor was one month old, I weighed 200 lbs and realized that I needed to do something. When I first started, I couldn't even run more than 45 seconds. Now, almost 4 years later, I can do 7 miles easy. And I was NOT athletic in high school!
Keep it up: the endorphins after the run are the best part! :-)
You go girl! I really wish I had the energy because I have ZERO muscle strength. :-(
Sal.
Yay,you!!! That's AWESOME!
"trying to change the way I feel about myself- getting back a little control"
When it comes to being a mom in general, and even more, a mom with a child with autism, this is by far so important.
I'm trying to figure out how to put this into my life right now.
Good luck and Yay for You!!
Go, go, go!
I go everyday. I have shortened the time after worrying about knee replacement surgery (in the wake of my in-laws' having it)-----it is my thinking time.
that is fantastic! i am so impressed! truly! i may try the same thing one day, when i get braver. i get the SAME BEET RED FACE! and i pant and gasp for ages even after the merest bit of exertion, like jogging from my door to the car. for some reason, i'm able to do the elliptical.
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