Feel stronger when walking

I feel stronger when I go for a walk. I know that when I walk I feel much healthier. Walking not only helps me get in shape, it also helps me clear my mind. After my mother died, I can honestly say that I barely moved in for a year. The second year I tried to move more, but my muscles were weak and my motivation was low. Not a good combination for a woman my age who gained 34 pounds in a short period of time.

January 2016 was the first time since my mother passed away that I actually felt like myself mentally and emotionally again. Do you realize that I didn’t include feeling physically like myself in that sentence? With a rapid 34-pound weight gain, I didn’t feel like myself.

All my friends were signing up for the Sacramento Shamrock 5k. They really wanted me to go with them. I hadn’t walked 5km without a break in over two years. I wanted to be part of the team, but I was afraid that they would take me to the finish line in the back of the medical car. He knew that if he missed this opportunity, he would still be afraid of failing. I signed up for the hike and hoped for the best.

It was fun participating in something physical with my friends. We had an agreement that “no one would be left behind.” The nine of us finished the race together and it was exciting. We shouted and cheered as if we had crossed the finish line at the head of the group. We were actually near the end, but who cares? We did it and we did it together as a team.

My fears and my nerves were unjustified. I’m done and didn’t take any breaks! It felt great to achieve a much needed and desired goal. My goal this year is to get fit and feel stronger. I am well on my way.

My friends and I already signed up for Bubble 5K in June. I’m not even sure what that is, but I’m doing it with my friends. I hope to beat my Shamrock 5k time of 1 hour 4 minutes. Regardless of my time on the Bubble 5k, if I get off the couch, I’m making great progress. Walking makes me feel stronger. The further I walk, the stronger my legs, back, hips, mind and self esteem become. Walking costs me nothing, but not walking costs me everything.