The Million Step March came to Structure House today - along with the local paper and TV crews. Gary Marino and Kathy Higgins are walking criss-cross through North Carolina giving talks and encouraging people to walk. Gary first started his march several years ago - at that time he was 35 and weighed 397 lbs - he had high cholesterol and hypertension -and decided to make a change - at his size the only thing that was available to him was to walk - he started walking in his neighborhood - and has he got into shape - decided to walk from Florida to Boston, Mass (his home town) to raise awareness and encourage others. Since then he completed the Boston marathon and made various walks to raise awareness.
I decided to skip my scheduled lecture on antecedents (triggers) and attend the talk. The reporter from the newspaper sat down beside me and asked if it was OK to ask me a few questions. I said sure ...not really thinking of what I was getting into. I soon discovered that following the presentation we were all scheduled to walk a 2.8 mile walk with Gary and the crew along the Structure House trail. Not one to say no .. or to shirk a challenge ...I found myself walking along the trail. I didn't realise that it was as hilly as it was ...and as they are not my favorites - I was breathing heavy at the top of the route. When they continued onto the road - I decided that it was time for me to turn around - so started my return back to Structure House.
Just as we got to the top of the hill at Structure House - the other woman that I was walking with, realised that the group were returning behind us. As we returned, the television crew came up and asked if they could ask me a few questions. So ...I said yes :-) I ended up talking with Gary Marino again and he gave me a copy of his book - so I came away with a whole pile of goodies, the bracelet, pedometer and t-shirt!
Then headed to my cardio ballroom class. I enjoyed dancing - it was hard work though - ballroom dancing - really works the hips ....we were sweating up a storm. Our teacher was very excited with our group and kept introducing new steps and movements. Those that attended last week - said that this weeks class was much more livelier. All I can say is that we were all sweating up a storm!
I did well with the fitness test this morning - it's only been a few days - but am already noticing that I'm feeling much stronger physically and am adjusting well to the diet.
The food is not that bad. There are some things that are certainly much tastier than others. I like that we get to select our own menus for the week. The first 48 hours - you're stuck with more or less what they give you - but they will allow you to make changes. We are required to hand in our week's selections on Wednesday. They provide you with a skeleton that reflects your total calorie entitlement for the week. You then have the choice to accept everything as is or make changes.
I made oodles of changes - eliminating the foods that I truly cannot stand and combining things that I do like. The ingredients are all fresh - if anything is not -they let you know. Most things are baked, steamed - some may start off on the grill and then thrown in the oven. Nothing is fried, no salt is used - the primary seasoning is various herbs.
Dessert is practically non-existent - unless you count applesauce or plain yogurt. I'm not a fan - so will usually swap it out for fresh fruit :-). Armed with hot sauce, black pepper and herbs - I'm usually able to adjust the taste to something that I can enjoy. Our lone gentlemen opted to not make any changes and has discovered that he really can't stand cottage cheese (no matter what you do to it!) he bit the bullet last night and adjusted his menu - he announced this morning at breakfast that all traces of cottage cheese have been eliminated!
I tried lactaid skim milk today for the first time - and was pleased to discover that I can add this to my cereal and not get the same sour - icky / queasy reaction that I get when I have regular milk. I don't know why I have never tried lactaid before ...now that I have ... I will have more choices with breakfast ...all in all - a good day :)
Well ...it's getting later ..and I'm tired - so will bid all a goodnight :-)
Thanks again for the words of encouragement and continued support :-)
Lots of love,
Norma
2 comments:
This is a good read, the main star is one of my favourites. Thanks for keeping me in the loop.
RV
Just came back from Wien, allot of walking Great city to share with you. Has many trees and flora.
Norma, this is so inspirational! It's so good that you are taking this time to work on yourself. We women often neglect ourselves while we pour all our energies into our families, homes, work, etc. One of my college friends is on an enforced rest after tripping on a stair step and breaking her left ankle in several places. Like you, she is a real "doer", and is now waking up to the fact that she has physical limits. Like you, she is amazed to find that her family can actually function without her doing so much. So, keep on doing what you're doing for YOU! You'll never regret it, and neither will those who care about you.
Nancy in Japan
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