And Now, The Exercise!

New Goal: One Mile A Day

What's very interesting to me is now that my Optifast product phase is over, and I reached goal and now I am in maintenance, I am able to embrace an exercise program fully. I have begun walking one mile every day and I am beginning strength training. What's most important for me right now is not so much the exercise itself -- it's that I look forward to it, I can move now with ease, I want to do it. It's as if I could not muster the energy -- the focus -- to do both the exercising and fasting full-tilt. It took me quite a bit of concentration to stay almost completely compliant for 9 1/2 months, and I have always been someone who has a little bit of trouble "multi-tasking." By this I mean it's far easier for me to do one thing, finish it, then do the next task, finish it, and so on and so on. I've been this way for a long time.

Now, of course I incorporated walking throughout my journey, but I never liked it. I'll get honest here. I saw exercise as a burden, something I did not look forward to doing. There was no passion, no "drive" to burn off the calories. I would read about and hear about my fellow Optifasters getting off their butts and moving every day, and deep down I felt like a failure because I wasn't doing what they were. Sure, I reached goal just like they did, and I wasn't a complete slug. But I always felt like I should be doing more. That I would be extremely well-prepared for the maintenance phase that awaited me.

I want to say without hesitation that physical activity is an absolute necessity for weight maintenance. Without it, the likelihood of regaining your weight is a very, very strong possibility. It's probably guaranteed. I know this -- which is why I have been waiting, praying for my interest in exercise to kick in fully. As you know, I get very anxious at the thought of gaining back my weight, and without the "exercise leg" of my 3-legged stool, the thing is going to collapse. Which is why I am beyond thrilled that finally -- finally! -- the day has come when I actually want to "suit up" and get out there with everyone else!

It doesn't hurt that Spring has finally come to Columbus. The weather is nicer, things have warmed up, people are out and about exercising themselves. Plus I'm 80 lbs. lighter and that makes moving so much easier. I also have some cute "gear" I purchased and like wearing: yoga pants, exercise shorts, and my New Balance running/walking shoes. (Plus some crazy tie-dye running bras that no one will see!) And there is a very big motivator for me: my husband and I are going out West this summer for hiking in Yosemite National Park and I've got to be fit for that. Period.

If you are on product and exercising regularly I want to give two big thumbs up to you. This is so, so important, and you are positioning yourself wonderfully for a very smooth transition into your maintenance routine. For those struggling like I did, do not give up hope. The time has finally arrived for me, just as I had prayed. It took a long time. But it is here now. I will keep you updated on my progress. I am going to approach my one-mile walking quota just like I did the Optifasting: stay in the day, and look no further than that. Today I am walking my mile. That's all I am asking of myself. I look no further than that. So here's to the next leg of my "journey." One foot in front of the other -- literally!