Getting Fit in my 50's... Update
I'm a year and a half into my goal of getting fit. My goal was not to lose weight.. it was to get fit.. I did not care about the weight loss. How much stupid wasted time have I spent on focusing on weight loss only to gain it all back. Only when I stopped focusing on weight loss and started focusing on getting fit did I finally see some changes.
Last year I decided to start walking. I wanted to just move. I wanted to be more active. One mile about killed me.. LOL.. today I walk 4, 5 or 6 miles and have no problem with it. I've even started doing a little running during my walks. I go easy.. because.. well.. I'm 52.. my knee joints don't like it when I stress them out.. the joys of getting older. But, step by step.. walking or jogging.. I am getting fit.
I have a FitBit.. and I LOVE this thing. Daily my goal is 10,000 steps or more. More has been my goal this year. In January (my one year anniversary to making the choice to get up off the couch and just MOVE) I made a commitment to myself to get my 10,000 steps in JUST exercise at least 3 to 4 times a week. And, other than vacation time, I have kept this goal.
And this is what I have seen … I have way more energy today than I use to, while the scales may not have changed a lot (I have lost some weight).. I've lost inches. My clothes fit me so much better. My metabolism has changed a lot! I eat a healthy diet and don't desire sweets like I use to. I get up every morning wanting to move and go... my new motto has been.. a body in motion, stays in motion. I have muscle building in places I'd given up on long ago.
I love the changes I'm seeing. It is the motivation for me to keep on moving and doing and exercising. There are days I get up and think, I just can't today, but then I look at my Fitbit and think about how good I feel when I reach my goal and how good I feel after a walk. I put my walking shoes on and start walking and I never regret it.
I have the most simplest Fitbit that is made, the Flex. It does not do anything but count my steps. And that is all I wanted it to do. I don't regret making the choice for the Flex. After a year and half it is still working strong and seems quite accurate in it's step count. I charge it about once a week. I know there are more fancy ones out there but this one has been a gem for me.
If you are feeling tired, sluggish, feel depressed, have health issues, weight issues and feel stagnant in life all I can say is... walk. I am not a doctor or health expert in any way.. I am only speaking from my own experience. No matter how small the distance you can walk, it does not matter. Every great journey starts with the first step. You won't regret getting up and moving.
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thank you for this review of the fitbit flex-it has been sitting on my amazon wish list for 6 months now. i'm a little sidelined by achilles tendonitis (from trying to walk too fast one day while on a walk because i was going to be late for work) but i'm planning on getting back out there and i heard the fitbit was a good tool for setting and achieving goals.
ReplyDeleteI love my fitbit!! You have to be committed.. I've seen a lot of people get them and the novelty fades... but I've been committed to using mine.. so it works amazingly well for me.. The Flex does track your sleep and able to help you keep track of your food, exercise, water, etc..
Delete"A body in motion, stays in motion."
ReplyDeleteThat's a great motto. I'm 51. It seems like just yesterday I found your blog while it was young, and we were too! I think it was 2006. It was back when you were on the homeschool blogger platform.
Have a wonderful week, and thanks for the encouragement.
Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage
Ha, ha.. yes Laura!! We were both young then!! :D ... Hope you have a great week too.. (((hugs)))...
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