[Kim_in_TN]

Ok, most exercise / fitness boards are mostly frequented by the intermediate or more advanced exercisers. Well, I for one am a "baby step" exerciser ... just starting all the way at the very beginning of getting any physical activity again. I can't "compete" with the mile runs, 100 reps, etc.. etc... but I still want to be able to share and get some encouragement to keep tracking on! Sooooo, I would like to invite any other "baby steppers" to post on this thread. What did you do today for your fitness? Did you walk a bit further in the parking lot? Did you take the stairs rather than the elevator? ANYTHING you did that required more effort than normal COUNTS!!!

For me? Today I took TWO walks around the block with my dogs. Rather than taking both of them around together, I took them separately so I would have to make 2 trips! YEP, I'm pleased with myself!

[Alice]

Kim...I whole heartedly agree with your babysteps! I just received a stress fracture from jumping into a program that was too advanced for me...better this week, but I had to go through 2 weeks of crutches and pain.

I had completely forgotten about the increase of 10% each week when starting to exercise. I had been a faithful walker...but changing to another routine (with impact) almost did me in. My excitement in completing the relays and runs hid my pain...til the last day!

Had I read your post weeks ago...then maybe I would have slowed my little tibias down a bit!

I'm using my weights and getting my arms into shape...slowly! Will get back to short, slow walks...then very slowly add. I go see a therapist next Monday for an evaluation...don't think I need to attend all the prescribed sessions.

Slow is perfectly fine. Moving is the important thing.

[Kim_in_TN]

Originally Posted by Alice

Kim...I whole heartedly agree with your babysteps! I just received a stress fracture from jumping into a program that was too advanced for me...better this week, but I had to go through 2 weeks of crutches and pain.

I had completely forgotten about the increase of 10% each week when starting to exercise. I had been a faithful walker...but changing to another routine (with impact) almost did me in. My excitement in completing the relays and runs hid my pain...til the last day!

Had I read your post weeks ago...then maybe I would have slowed my little tibias down a bit!

I'm using my weights and getting my arms into shape...slowly! Will get back to short, slow walks...then very slowly add. I go see a therapist next Monday for an evaluation...don't think I need to attend all the prescribed sessions.

Slow is perfectly fine. Moving is the important thing.

Yikes! I'm sorry you learned the hard and painful way! See, that's what I can imagine myself doing! I'd jump into a full impact aerobics class like I did 20 years ago and die of a heart attack! I have no choice but to accept that "the ole gray mare just ain't what she used to be"!

[Keezheekoni]

I'm rejoining Curves tonight. I also started will start the Couch-to-5k program that someone here talked about. I'm dedicated to doing it since I joined my friend's team for the Race for the Cure in June. In return she's doing the JDRF walk with me next month.

A lot of people scoff at Curves, but it's easy for me (who because of being slowly poisoned last year is just now allowed to start exercising again). I don't care if it's mostly the 50 and over crowd, it's a way to exercise!

Yesterday I dragged Troy and PJ to the Supermall near our house. It's 7/8ths of a mile around, 1 mile if you go and touch each entrance door, so we walked around it. That wasn't strenuous at all!

[Kim_in_TN]

Rikki, I know it is way too soon for me to commit / invest in a regular program. I always do best just making my own workout at home for a while. I did actually add some stretching exercises today in addition to my extra walk around the block.

I think it's great that you are doing those "walks" .... good for you and for a great cause as well!

[Kim_in_TN]

Ok now, am I the ONLY one here that is taking teeny weeny steps to get exercise? Oh well, if I am then that is "ok" too. I'll get there again but it will have to be at my own pace. I know that if I start off too "gung ho" that I will fizzle out just as quickly!

[bryan42]

My mind was racing, does that count???????????

[R2112]

Kim- I think it's great that you have the determination to get back on the exercise wagon again. It doesn't matter how small or how far. Just take note that we all had to start somewhere at first. I took baby steps at first but kept at it. It took awhile to see the results but I certainly felt better long before I saw my body changing and that helped with the motivation. I'm now running between 3-5 miles a day and doing some sort of weight resistance every other day giving myself Sunday off. I'm proud of you starting up... remember, it will take a little time but you'll soon find yourself not huffing and puffing walking up the stairs. LOL

Dave

[fgummett]

Every (every) little bit helps... I don't walk up to work (it's 6 flights) but I always walk down. I make it my rule to park at the far end of car parks (drives my son crazy!). I get a good chuckle at my local small town store where the car park can't be more than 200m square... I just drive in and park at the far end... but as I walk to the store entrance I see all these others driving around and around in circles struggling to get a place closer to the store

[fgummett]

Originally Posted by bryan42

My mind was racing, does that count???????????

I find that when I am working on a difficult piece of code at work it does indeed lower my sugar

[Keezheekoni]

Originally Posted by Kim_in_TN

Rikki, I know it is way too soon for me to commit / invest in a regular program. I always do best just making my own workout at home for a while. I did actually add some stretching exercises today in addition to my extra walk around the block.

Trust me, I don't like "committing" to gyms, but I know that if I don't spend the money, then I won't exercise. If I spend the money, I *will* get my money's worth! I'm that much of a cheapskate! I actually have decided not to join Curves. I remembered that my MIL bought a family plan at 24 Hr Fitness, and my dh is still part of her "family plan". So, I'm looking around for the best deals for them. They have a current only today online special, $24 to register, $24 per month, no contract. This is a good deal if you plan to go there for no more than 3 years. Once you hit 3 years, it's best to do one of their prepay plans because then you only have the yearly fee of between $49 and $159, depending on which kind of membership you have. I'm going out to ours today to see what it's like. If there are only "beautiful people" working out, then I won't go there. I don't like to be intimidated!

Originally Posted by Kim_in_TN

Ok now, am I the ONLY one here that is taking teeny weeny steps to get exercise? Oh well, if I am then that is "ok" too. I'll get there again but it will have to be at my own pace. I know that if I start off too "gung ho" that I will fizzle out just as quickly!

Nope, you're not. I have just been sick for the last year and am ready to jump into it with both feet. I know that I'll be slow at first, but just getting to it is my motivation!

[Kim_in_TN]

Bryan, I'm afraid the racing mind doesn't count or else I would be stick thin by now!

Dave, thank you for the encouragement and reminding me that everyone (for the most part) starts off slowly.

Frank, I admit that I am having a hard time breaking the parking lot circling, but on nice weather days it is easier!

Rikki, the money guilt thing isn't enough for me. I joined Curves and had a bank-draft for a year ... I only went maybe 5 times at the beginning and that was all!!! I will never sign a contract for a fitness program again! I might just buy a membership to the YMCA or something similar that you have more flexible time to use it. For now though, I will definitely be avoiding the scantilly clad intimidators too!

[Keezheekoni]

I looked into the Y also. Unfortunately here they don't have a lot of classes/programs unless you live in the north Seattle area. I don't want to go that far for them. Plus they are more expensive than I thought they would be! I was quite surprised.

I know what you mean about gym contracts though. I joined 24 Hr. Fitness about 7 years ago. I signed for the 3 year plan, and had I kept paying all these years, just the yearly fee, I'd be fine. However, I got out of the contract because I got pregnant within the first month of my membership, and my doctor had me on bedrest for a lot of that time. At least I was able to get out of it, I know a lot of people can't, then end up having to pay for the entire time but never use the facility at all. I'd have at least used it for the pool and hot tub!

[Alice]

One fun thing (I think I've mentioned it before on another topic) is to wear a pedometer to count those "baby steps". It takes about 10,000 steps to just maintain your current weight...walk less and that's not enough...walk more and you'll burn extra calories each day.

I found that wearing a pedometer (like we need another meter, right) gave me some accountability...for parking in the last spot farthest from the grocery store door...returning the grocery cart back inside the store...and walking back again to the farthest spot.

Those are the babysteps that really add up for me at Weight Watchers.

I clip the pedometer to the center of my bra...right between the girls...for the most accurate reading. I wasn't getting accurate step counts by wearing it on my waist for some reason, but it may be the brand of pedometer I was using. Most pedometers need to be perpendicular to the floor.

[Kim_in_TN]

Originally Posted by Alice

One fun thing (I think I've mentioned it before on another topic) is to wear a pedometer to count those "baby steps". It takes about 10,000 steps to just maintain your current weight...walk less and that's not enough...walk more and you'll burn extra calories each day.

I found that wearing a pedometer (like we need another meter, right) gave me some accountability...for parking in the last spot farthest from the grocery store door...returning the grocery cart back inside the store...and walking back again to the farthest spot.

Those are the babysteps that really add up for me at Weight Watchers.

I clip the pedometer to the center of my bra...right between the girls...for the most accurate reading. I wasn't getting accurate step counts by wearing it on my waist for some reason, but it may be the brand of pedometer I was using. Most pedometers need to be perpendicular to the floor.

That's a good suggestion as well, thank you!