A New Twist for the Old Thing

While out on a power walk just after dark last night, huffing and puffing, I wondered if I could walk 500 miles in a year. Let's just say it now - I am fat. Morbidly obese. I got this way because I eat like crap and I don't move. Enough self degradation. Let's get on the positive stuff.

Back to 500 miles. I don't even know if that is realisitc or way too many miles or too few. I have been walking for a week now - and so I should be able to take the info from my cool Garmin Forerunner watch and project how how many miles I would walk if I walked so many miles and so many days (generic words for something I'm am sure is explained much more eloquently in mathematical terms). But right now - I'm not going to do that. Right now I just want to start walking and start tracking.

I will be Fourty in just under a year and a half. I have a lot of weight to lose. I'm not going to publish that right now, because I'm afraid writing that number down will only discourage me. I'm not even sure what my goal weight will be, something around before I started having kids.

Which also brings up the notion that now I finally feel like I can do this. My kiddos are old enough to either participate with me, or hang at home with Dad and be entertained. Not that that couldn't have happened before, but I'm letting go of the guilt and taking care of me too now.

Walking alone won't be enough. I'm going to eat better too. And walking won't be all I do. I am inspired by the C25K notion, so running may eventually pop in, but that will still count. And we still letterbox like crazy, so the handy Garmin will be on the wrist calculating those footsteps as well.

I'll say it now. I love this Garmin watch. Certainly geared to the running crowd - hence its name Forerunner. But it is motivating me and that is what I need.

I think I will start posting a note on my refridgerator. Letting the family know the total. That should help hold me accoutable.

So let's see where I am as of today - Keep in mind I started 1/25/09:
January - 11.14 miles and 912 calories
February to date - 8.38 miles and 1025 calories

Total to date - 19.52 miles and 1937 calories