That's Just What I Needed

Yesterday morning, I had planned on getting up early and going for a morning walk.  With the temperatures we've been having, I figured I'd have to make it pretty early... because I just wouldn't feel like it if it was too muggy outside.

Well, I didn't get up early enough.  It was close to 9AM when I did get out of bed, but was very pleasantly surprised when I walked outside to feel that it was cool and not humid at all.  After writing my blogs, I decided it wasn't too late - and a morning walk was exactly what I needed.  Not for exercise, but just to destress and have some alone time.

So, I threw on my work-out clothes, put my earphones in my ear, turned on my music, and hit the pavement.

I didn't turn on any apps or trackers to track my distance or pace.  Again, it wasn't about the exercise.

I walked to the park, and then proceeded to walk around the track.  My intention was to walk a couple of laps and then just walk back home...start off small, you know?

Well, I got to the park, and started walking.  And then I walked.  And walked.  And walked some more. I ended up doing 5 or 6 laps around the park... not sure which, but I'm pretty sure it was 6.  I was trying not to count, but I couldn't really help myself.  I just told myself I'd keep walking until I didn't want to walk anymore.  In fact, the only reason I stopped when I did was because time was getting on and I had to get home to get ready to go out and play bingo with my mom.

I'm pretty sure I could have done another few laps before I was ready to stop.  Heck, I'm pretty sure I could have walked all day...it felt so great being out there.

I only stopped briefly for the photo op.

That's a genuine smile of content on my face.  I was in my element.  My zone.  I absolutely loved it.  In fact, the only reason I'm not there doing the same thing at this very moment is because I'm expecting company in just a little while and had to get ready for that.  But, if the weather is like it is right now later this evening... I'm totally going back to do it again.

While I didn't track my distance while walking, I was curious this morning how much I actually walked.  I was able to find out that it's exactly 1 mile from my house to the park.  So, there's two miles I walked without even including the park laps.  Back in the day, I ran at that park quite often.  The trail around the park is about 1/3 mile.  So, if I did do 6 laps, I walked a total of 4 miles yesterday morning.  

That's insane!

There's me thinking that I would have to start out with my little 15 minute walks, and I'm able to jump back in to walking 4 miles...and I totally could have kept going.  I like that feeling.  A lot.  

I like it so much, that I've decided there's no reason I can't jump right back in to the C25K program and get back to running a lot sooner than planned.  I'm going to let my mood decide what I do each day.  If I'm in the mood to just walk... I'll just walk.  When I'm in the mood to up the intensity... I'll run.

One thing I am not very happy with right now is the stupid scale.  I stood on it this morning and saw a pretty significant gain.  I was ready to throw the stupid thing through the window.  My eating has been pretty good since last Wednesday, and I've kept below my calorie goal each day.  With as much exercise I've been getting, and as much water I've been drinking - I should not see gains like I'm seeing.  

Something's not right.

And it's ticking me off...big time.

Which is why I've made the decision to ditch the stupid scale for a couple of weeks...maybe even a month.  There's just no way I can fully enjoy my increasing endurance with the number on the scale looming over my head.

So, I figure I'll just start using my clothing as my guide.  I'll occasionally check in with clothing that's been on the snug side to see how they are fitting.  

Just this morning, I put on a pair of capris that basically made me feel like I was being cut in half a few weeks ago...that went on pretty easily this morning.  Still tight, but not near the suffocating tightness I experienced a few weeks ago.

How can that happen if I'm truly gaining weight instead of losing it?

Same thing with my bathing suit.  When we first started swimming in our pool about a month ago, I had to squeeze my behind in to my bathing suit from last year.  Now, I'm having to keep pulling the bottoms up because they keep falling down.  Yes, it's a two piece, but it's a full coverage two piece... I'm not that stupid.

I'm not expecting miracles, here.  I know that I haven't lost that much in a couple of weeks to do any major impact...like dropping a dress size or anything like that.  But, I know for sure that I haven't gained the weight back that I lost last week and another couple of pounds on top of that.  That just can't be accurate.  

I'm just going to keep doing what I'm doing.  Enjoying my activeness.  Eating way less than I normally eat.  And just see what happens over the next few weeks in the clothing department.  

If, in a couple of weeks, nothing has changed with my clothing... then I'll reevaluate and see what the heck is going on.

But, right now, I have to get off of here because my company should be here any second.

Till next time!

Joanna

a/k/a Mad, Fat Woman