Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Breaktrough day for me.

Yes my dear friends, this day will go down in history. Today, I ran. YES! I RAN!!!!! 8 minutes in total. What a miracle for me. I made a decision a while ago to get fitter and to schedule it into my life. Even if I have to let go of other things, this to me is a HUGE focus right now. I recognized even though i am very healthy, I am not functionally fit at all. But that's going to change now. I am just going to keep on. My ULTIMATE goal is to be able to run 10km. I don't care if that comes by the end of this year. Bottom line: I started. YAY!!!!!! The program I am on is for this week (3 times):
1 min run, 2 min walk
1 min run, 2 min walk
2 min run, 2 min walk
2 min run, 2 min walk
1 min run, 2 min walk
1 min run, 2 min walk

Next week it will change a bit. The thing is... i want to read this post a year from now and applaud the fact that I started somewhere. I might even think... what if I didn't start? God just spoke into my heart telling me that I CAN DO THIS. I secretly had a fear that I might fail. Well, I feel wonderful after todays effort. And I really believe that this is something Jaku and I can do together!

The winner of yesterday's GARDEN PARTY rak is: (please email me by clicking "write me" in the right sidebar)

Linh Chin-Lai said...

I like the new look. The picture frames are cute. It's always fun visiting your blog. :)

7:59 PM




Guess what? I decided to make it a real spring party here this week. I will give away another little goodie box today too!!! Leave me a comment and tell me about your exercise goals... or maybe some wise words for me? You can watch this little video (only 14sec) to see what's in the goodie box!

Did you read the word this week (in the side bar?)? I think it's fabulous.


42 comments :

Christa said...

yuck i dispise running. but i am living proof that if you keep at it it gets easier...i swear!!! keep trying...good luck!

Kirsten said...

Good for you!!! I've walked 2 miles a day for years now, off and on. Then, last year I had the feeling I needed to commit to doing it as often as I could, not just here and there. And after a few months of 1/2 hour at least 5 days a week, it just didn't feel like I was getting enough, so now I walk at least 45 minutes, sometimes an hour, often 7 days a week. I push for a 15 minute mile, but usually am at 17 or so. Last Friday my husband walked with me - he jogged off and on and I race walked. Your endurance will grow, and I'll be watching for updates on your progress!

Virginia said...

That is so weird- I just started running about 3 weeks ago. I'm not super disciplined with it yet, but I figure anything that I do is better than nothing, you know?

I'm doing the whole "Couch to 5K" training.... I don't actually want to run in a 5k, but it's an easy program that slowly builds you up into running. I'm guessing that's what you're doing too?

Anonymous said...

Run, Wilna, Run. Good for you. Keep it up....its the hardest thing about exercise.

Laura

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

mY HUSBAND JUST STARTED A NEW JOB SO WE ARE FINALLY ABLE TO WORK OUT TOGETHER...WE HAVE BEEN WALKING FOR AN HOUR ALMOST EVERY DAY WITH A FEW DAYS BETWEEN LIFTING WEIGHTS.IT'S ONLY BEEN JUST OVER A WEEK, AND WE CAN BOTH TELL A DIFFERENCE IN HOW WE LOOK AND FEEL. IT'S REALLY EXCITING! RIGHT NOW WE HAVE BEEN WALKING ABOUT 3 LAPS AROUND OUR LOCAL PARK IN AN HOUR, AND OUR SHORT TERM GOAL IS TO GET TO 4 LAPS IN AN HOUR IN THE NEXT WEEK. IT HASN'T BEEN EASY, BUT IT SURE HELPS TO DO IT TOGETHER! MY TIP WOULD BE TO NOT BE EASY ON YOURSELF. DON'T LOOK FOR EXCUSES, JUST DO IT!!!!!

P.S.

THAT'S A GREAT WORD-SO REAL. :)

Anonymous said...

Good for you! Having your husband do it with you will be a great incentive! Good Luck! My exercise goal is to stick with it....whatever exercise "it" may be! I always have such great plans and then the "daily grind" gets in the way! I find now that the weather is nicer, it is easier to get outside in the evening and walk!

Wendy from Kerrobert

Christina Carnoy said...

Good for you! My goal is to walk for a half hour three times per week. Sometimes I succeed, sometimes I don't! But if I fail, I just keep right on trying. Every day is a new beginning.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on starting a fitness program. I need to do that, as well. So far I have been doing yoga once a week for about a year now, and last summer I started taking Zumba classes for cardio fitness. If you have zumba in your area, I highly recommend it. So much fun! You sweat and get cardio fit, but you are smiling the whole time!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations!!! the first couple of days is always the hardest but as time goes on and you get used to it, it just becomes second nature (not really) I recently left the military where i HAD to excersice so I took a couple of months off since I also have Fribromyalgia and have to take it easy. I started up again about three weeks ago I run up to 3miles a day 5 days a week (try to at least) keep at it it does make you feel better as you go along, and remember to stay hydrated (it is very important). Good luck on your goal I'll be cheering you on.

Linda Velez

Paula Clare said...

Hi Wilna!
CONGRATS on your great start! I will tell you from experience, that making space in your life for the exercise is the hardest part. I've researched physiology and the body's response in regard to fasting...and I believe what's true of a fast is true for exercise: the first two weeks motivation is high and the body is adjusting...it's the third week that you really need encouragement and to "plan" for a difficult go of it. Your metabolism will begin to "rebel" at this point and will "fight" to get back to what's familiar...your pre-exercise "set point." So, week 3: just plan to incorporate lots of scripture, encouraging friends and words, and extra rewards when you push through to complete your goal!

After this battle, the rest is cake! (Oops, sorry...)the rest is an energy bar! ;-)

Hugs,
Paula Clare

DeniseLynn said...

Yea for you Wilna!! I too have recently started a little "get fit" program of my own. I have recruited a friend so that we can encourage one another. We have been taking a fast-paced 30 minute walk several times a week. We are drinking lots of water and eating smaller portions ... and praying a lot! Hugs xoxox

Just Call Me Grammy said...

Good for you --I hate running. I have been doing a Power Walk video program, trying to do it every week day--so far, so good.

Anonymous said...

Yeah for you! I love to exercise, I have more energy and feel so much better about myself when I do. Thanks for a second chance at the goodies!

Anonymous said...

I started that program too, but I couldn't get past the 2nd week. It was too hard :( Good luck with the running!
Leslie

Just call me "B" said...

Congrats, Linh!

Wilna..........it is a long story, but when I started running just over a year ago, I could only run for about 1 minute consecutive.

Now, I am up to a 15k (my longest organized distance run) and am set to run the Marathon in January 2009!!

You can do it! Just keep with your running program, and you will achieve it!!!

Keep us posted!

Roslyn said...

Hi Wilna,
Congrats on the running! I love to run! Keep at it and before you know it you'll be out there one day and realize you've run 3 or 4 miles without stopping. I've gotten some of my best creative ideas while running...just letting my mind do its own thing while my feet do theirs. It is also a great time to mull over problems and figure things out. Go Wilna, go! You can do it!

Mrs. Spotts said...

Hey! You are all so inspiring! I was really loving to kick box last year...I was sort of addicted to it! I loved the fun music and it was sort of cool moves that seemed like a dance routine in a way. As my life excuses have gotten in the way, I have not been exercising regularly and I can feel this in many different ways. Worst of it is that I am not as energetic which means less patient. So, Wilna, good for you! I am going to get back on my goals too!

Anonymous said...

Congrat! I also made a change last week and joined Weight Watchers and am walking. This is a big change for me especially because my life is so busy! I will pray for you and you can pray for me!
Blessings,
Melissa
P.S. thanks for sending the wonderfully touching RAndom Act of Kindness to my grandfather. He will be your prayer warrior! He got a haircut today so he will look dapper for her 99th birthday party!

Tina Mayo said...

you can do it, I started my goals that way and I have finished 2 --1/2 marathons 13.1 miles , my goal is to do a trailalon before I die , I need to get working on that now that my last baby is 8 months old today, but I think I will start with walking around the neighborhood first, with a 2 kid stroller--it won't be easy. lol

congrats on working towards your goal.

Maryna said...

hey..I'm so proud of you!! remember when you loved to gym way back when..I am sure you'll make agreat sucsess about being super fit..
m

Anonymous said...

Love ya :-)

Jacqui Bourne said...

well done!!!! you'll feel so much better and have more energy. I know I did when i was going to gym regularly. I've been a bit slack lately, but i'm off to gym next week to get back into feeling good!!! Well done! I admire you for it!

Anonymous said...

I love running but find it very hard to get the time...for me my schedule for running is finding a partner to run with me!!

Mrs. Wizzle said...

I will not run. I admire you for doing it. I do walk though and have been going with a walking DVD inside. You can do a variety of exercises with it as well as walking.(Leslie Sansone) Now would be the time to shift out of doors. I applaud you!Clap Clap Clap!

Lee said...

Well done. I have been running for many years now. It provides a wonderful time to think about things and I often find myself talking to the Lord. He has been with me and helped me through many kilometres. Wilna, like you I also started with baby steps and I run marathons now. I am competing in the Comrades marathon(89km)15th June. As a South African you know all about this wonderful race. I was a person that said I could never do it. This will be my third one. You go girl. You will be amazed what the body is capable of.

Anonymous said...

well done!!!
running is my WORST.

but, because of my resolution for this year to be 'fit', I am in the middle of a biokinetics program. Am hoping that stretching some of the stiffness away, will re-align my posture & be the inspiration to start more cardio exercise...

RACE u THERE!!!
xxXX
C

Anonymous said...

Urgh Wilna!!! No!!! I haven't been in the office for what seems like ever, out on the road at clients all the time, and then on the one day that I am in the office and able to come check your blog {it's like I'm having withdrawal symtoms because I haven't checked in for sooo long.. hehe!} and feeling absolutely miserable {partly weather related too, sooo cloudy and cold here in Cape Town} and in agony from a fractured vertabrae coming since last year {I'm very much drugged out on painkillers and had a good looong session with the physio but it didn't help much :(} and I have to see you talking the one subject I don't have in my vocab... EXCERCISE!!! LOL! And to top it off I was just told earlier today by my physio that I will HAVE TO start doing something.. actually more than one thing... Pilates to strenghten my core and walking to help with my old injury and keep moving so that the thingies in my back can move and not get all uptight.... urgh!!! I've been saying for over a year now that I must excercise for weighty reasons, but now it's like I'm being forced... either I live in pain and pay millions in physio bills... or I excercise!!! I really don't even want to think about it but I guess I have to... Thanks for the Psalm in the thought for the day section on the side... it sounds like just what I need right about now! I'm headed home now and am going to make a hot water bottle and reach for my Bible and page to that Psalm to read all of it!

Alas, as usual, I come here like being heavensent and I get inspiration and motivation :) Thank you dear Wilna, like always and I must say I am tremendously proud of you and will say a special prayer for you to keep it up and I have utmost faith that you will definitely be doing 10kms worth of running before the end of 2008!!! And maybe I'll join you and then we can both say we can do it.. hehe :) please say a prayer for me, it's needed!!!

Love & a {hug} and xx, Bella

Shannon said...

Way to go Wilna....I have fallen off the exercise wagon due to an illness but am starting back up on Monday!!!! Will be looking for your progress....Go Girl!

Anonymous said...

Oh man, and you see I'm so caught up in my hatred of excercise {surely from the devil!} that I completely forgot to tell you...

I JUST LOOOOOOVE THE NEW LOOK OF YOUR BLOG!!! GREAT JOB AND WHAT FUN!!! :)))

Forgive me my absentmindedness.. :P

Bella xx

tessa said...

I've tried to start exercise a while now. Ant the Nintendo Wii came with Wii-Fit it's soo great I manage to exercise 4 times a week 20- 1 hour depending on how my day has been..

Sabrina said...

I've been trying to get going on my exercise routine too, I actually enjoy running but I have a hard time finding the time to do it!!! Way to go...can't wait to hear how it goes for you.

Holly said...

Good for you!That will be a blessing-little stokes fell mighty oaks...I have been walking for 2 weeks in the mornings early before anyone in my house is up and I find that it has been great prayer time and one of refreshing. Keep it up!!

Stay Funny said...

Good Luck!For me i also joined Weight Watchers a few weeks ago and will add starting Monday 30 min walk a day.

Lori said...

Good for you Wilna!!!!! I know you can do it!!!

I haven't checked in for awhile, but wanted to say hi and was also thinking about Lois too! Hope all is well with her!!

Anonymous said...

Yay! Another chance to win. : ) I guess my excercise advice would be to make the most of the small moments. I do squats while I'm blow drying my hair. I take long walks whenever I have spare moments. When I think of it I park at the furthest parking space at the grocery store so I can burn a few extra calories. I love the word for the week. It reminds me that he has already done the work... all I have to do is show up for the party. THX- Alisa

Dale Anne Potter said...

I have to get back to walking.....
GOOD for you running!!!

Juel said...

Goal, to start walking more often and maybe even try running. I to have had the fear of failing.

fran h said...

Hi Wilna,
I have been walking about 2 miles 3 days a week for the past 3 years or so. I truly enjoy it and it gets my day going before my daughters get up for school. Keep up the wonderful work you are doing.

Anonymous said...

I try to walk in my home 3 mi a day. One comment was it gets easier. No Way! I started walking in Oct and it is even harder to make myself do it today. ekkkkkkkkk

Anonymous said...

Good for you Wilna! I have never been a runner, maybe one day :-) I broke my ankle and leg last year so I am slowly starting to exercise again....start small is my motto! It is amazing how much better you feel after doing it for a bit though... :-) Love the new 'look' by the way!
Jen van Egdom

Anonymous said...

congratulations on "taking the first steps" (pun intended)
what is the training method you are following? it sounds a lot like jeff galloway.
keep up the great work.
xo
catherine