Exercise tips

              One thing that I learned is that  you do not have to join a gym, buy  pretty colorful exercise duds, or buy expensive equipment to be able to get a little exercise. I did find out that investing in some good shoes made a big difference. I decided I needed to start by walking around my block. Well I have to admit the first day I didn't enjoy it to much, or the next, or the next. It took a long time for me to be able to even walk out the door with a positive attitude. I set little goals. I did not say to myself -week 1 you will do a block, week 2 will be 2 blocks. I listened to what my knees, feet and hips said. After a couple of weeks I found that I was (almost) looking forward to that little walk. I just kept adding blocks and soon I was walking miles. I walked alone because my "what if" worried that I would not be able to keep up with anyone. I now walk with a little old am/fm radio and ear phones which has helped me to pick up my pace to the beat of the music. I only wear one of the ear phones so I can also hear the trafic around me.  On cold stormy days or hot blistering days I try to go early in the morning or walk the mall.  I do not walk every day and I do not pick on myself if I don't. My body has learned to love walking and craves going now.
As I was talking to my family about this blog one of my sons reminded me of a "what if" moment that I survived on one of my walks. I was walking past a group of teenage boys and as I passed them one of them screamed at me.."give it up you fat a##!" Well of course I sobbed all the way home. I had to do a lot of talking to myself. I had to remind myself that it didn't matter what other's say. I couldn't let others comments, stares, and attitudes keep me from doing what I know is going to improve and prolong my life. What if I had let that young boys attitude stop me from walking?