John Bingham's quote and his story always move me. After years of no exercise, he quit smoking, lost weight, and became a runner. Running not only was his passion, but it launched his writing career.
I cried the first time I read it, over a dozen years ago. I, too, need the courage to start my exercise program, and to be consistent. As I have talked about before, we eat a healthy, real food, vegan diet and we do well with it. But it obviously is not enough. The next step in a balanced life is to use the healthy diet to power up exercise; to become an empowered and strong woman. I need to do more than just taking my dog for walks, as that obviously is not enough. I can fall back on that when I am 80 or 90 or 100.
I'm embarrassed to admit I used to consider myself a runner, from my 45th year for maybe 5 years. I loved it. I loved being outdoors, pushing myself, feeling my muscles, and freeing up my mind. Not that I was ever good at it! Far from it. I was slow. Very slow. I'm the turtle in Aesop's fable, but that is okay. I was out there living life.
I don't really know why I didn't keep at it. I had some injuries, to knees, hips, feet, but that is not a valid reason. It is an excuse, and no more excuses are allowed.
My update: 2 weeks have gone by.
The negative: I have only lost 1 pound.
The positive: I have lost 1 pound. I have done my morning exercises 6 days a week, increasing from 30 to 45 min. of yoga, crunches, stretches, modified push-ups, etc. I have jogged a little 3 days per week, and walked a little every day. I feel stronger and look more toned.
Goals: I want to be a runner again, to feel that way again, that "Oh my God, I am running" feeling of childhood, being out there, living life. And I'd also like to someday be able to do a real push-up, not the modied ones.
"Reach high, for the stars lie hidden in your soul.
Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal."
Ralph Vaull Starr
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