Walking is NO joke!

[getnfit@38]

Okay everyone, I took the plunge and went out for the first time last evening (Sun.) and did I hurt my feelings?!
I didn't wear a watch for my first outing because I wanted to walk until I felt I'd had enough without the prompt of timing myself (I'm a bit anal about exercising less than 30min.), so I walked at a brisk pace, actually broke a sweat and when I returned home, guess how freakin' long I was gone?
15 lousy minutes! I can laugh today, but my feelings were hurt last night. My ankles had a mild ache, my calves were a bit tight, my thighs were feeling it, and I was sweating like I'd just done a cardio workout~BUT, it had only been 15 minutes! So at first I thought, "forget this, I'll never get anywhere losing weight with this kind of workout."
But after sleeping it off, I got up this morning, hooked on my HR monitor and pedometer (where do you people put your house keys?)and off I went. I actually doubled my time this morning, I was out for 30 minutes, and according to my pedometer, I walked 1.40 miles (is that poor/fair/decent?) and I could have gone around again, but my ankles were a little achey, so I thought I'd better not push it too soon and came in.
I did a combo walk/jog this morning, and what a different animal it is from aerobics! The wind it takes to get through Imax was nothing compared to the sprints, and tell me why my fat a** even attempted to sprint UP a hill?
But it was an experience, and about 10 minutes into it I wasn't caring who saw me, what they thought, or anything else! And I didn't cover up like a lunatic, it's already 80 degrees here, so I wore shorts and a tank top, and if I jiggled, I just jiggled! But I feel good, my ankles don't, but I feel like I just conquered yet another mountain. I've always wanted to run, and even though I mostly walked, this time next year, I'll be an all out runner!
Thanks to everyone who booted me out the door! I appreciate your support, and "you were right" about everything you said!

Donna

p.s. if 1.40 miles really sucks, please tell me what I should shoot for and with in what time frame. Like X miles in 30 min. or X miles in 60 min.

 

[Aquajock]

RE: Welcome to the gang!

I love power walking, and you're off to an excellent start! No, walking is NO joke; people continually underestimate the exertion involved, not to mention the benefits to the legs and glutes. Wait'll you bring hills into the equation!

1.4 miles is great for the first few sessions to get yourself physically acclimated to a new mode; then you can focus on a dual increase in walking speed AND distance. Back in the early '90's, because of my work schedule and home location, I was able to walk around 2 Minneapolis connected lakes which, including distance from and to my apartment, amounted to about 7.5 miles, which took about 2 hours to do. Again, just implement the habit of consistency AND "a little bit more than you did before" and you'll upkick things quite nicely.

Annette Q. Aquajock

 

[prfitness]

Congrats Donna! I am really happy for you.

 

[kristina]

Congrats on getting out there. I have been power walking for 8 weeks while undergoing PT and man, have I been pleasantly surprised! I too was pleasantly sore- and dripping!

I started at a half hour, and increased 15 minutes every other day until I got up to 1 1/4 hours. Depending on how I feel, I usually walk at a 13-14 minute mile speed average, and throw in hills, so I usually get about 4 miles in the hour. The last 15 minutes I go down to a flat and slow my speed every five minutes until I am cooled down. Works for me!

You are doing great! You will find you build up endurance fairly quickly with this form of exercise, I'll bet.

 

[PatriciaP]

Donna:

You're absolutely right -- walking is no joke. I lost 40+ lbs seven years ago by walking (quickly) each day for an hour and following Weight Watchers.

Matter of fact, I am currently back to walking due to a case of Plantar Faciitis which I've mentioned on previous posts. I get off my streetcar early on my way to work and walk the rest of the way. (I hate walking if I don't have a real destination in mind -- I'll even walk a mile or two just to buy ketchup!)

I'm also incline walking on the treadmill at my gym during my lunch-hour. Unfortunately, I can only do it for 45 minutes then have to go back to work.

Anyone try Kathy Smith's treadmill work? Pretty good bang for the buck! Let's see if the cut 'n paste works here:

Treadmill interval workout (Kathy Smith’s website)

"Here is a workout I do on the treadmill that you might want to try. I warm up for about 10 minutes with some light intensity walking and jogging. Then I put the incline to 3% and walk for 2 minutes. Then I elevate it to the 6% grade for 2 minutes, the 9% grade for 2 minutes, the 12% grade 2 minutes and then up to the 15% grade for 2 minutes (if the treadmill I'm using will go that high). Then I go down and climb that hill again. After two climbs, I cool down. Try to get in two high-intensity interval workouts per week, alternating with steady-state workouts -- and remember to have fun!" THE END

I tell you, I'm dying when I'm on 15% incline. Sweatin' buckets and gasping for air. I have to slow my speed to 3.7 for that one. And, oiii!, my quads are a-burning.

Patricia

 

[DebbieH]

Woo-Hoo, Donna!

That is great! AND, your time does not suck! Remember the first time you did IMax??? It was sooo hard, right? Not that it isn't now, but you know how far you have progessed with it. Anything new will challenge you all over again. I'll never forget getting on my spin bike for the very first time thinking I'm in good shape! Ha! My legs were two noodles when I completed that video. I guess what I am trying to say is just hang in there. You did excellent and the fact that your ankles are hurting somewhat, is a signal you definitely want to build up slowly to longer, faster and adding those hills. Keep at it and next year this time, you WILL be jogging/running!! Hooray for you!

Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH http://www.plaudersmilies.de/wavey.gif If You Get The Choice To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You DANCE!!!

 

[Andrea]

Great job Donna! I also started out walk/jogging. I would only go out for 30 minutes, but it did more for me than 60 min. step workouts! I think you are gonna see GREAT results! You might want to also enter a race...a 5K would be good to start with. Okay, I'm a race addict. I just love the feeling of finishing!

Andrea

 

[Connie1]

Donna,
I want to do it too! I know that all I have to do is just get out there, but I'm skeert!

I just did the spinning class and I think I'll focus on the gym experience for a while to see if it's worth it (I'll try the treadmill at lunch with my co-worker) but some day, the streets!

I'll be watching for your running posts!

-Connie

 

[Debra]

Good for you Donna!

About those house keys:

1) Shorts w/ a zippered pocket
2) Waist pack (you'll want to carry water on hot days or long walks/runs)
3) Hide key at house
4) Wrist band w/ zippered pocket

A running specialty store will have various things for keys & id. Also check your hardware store. I have a house key on a telephone cord type bracelet but the key banging on my wrist gets annoying. You really should carry some sort of id.

Have fun & don't worry about speed. Patience will be rewarded.

Debra

 

[KathyH]

Hi Donna! You GO Girl! I think personally your terrific! I remember my first time I went out on an athletic field and tried a walk/jog. It was awful! I hated every minute of it. I also didn't have the right motivating music to listen to which for me is a really big factor. I tried it one more time after that and then gave it up. It is much harder than all the stepping, hi/lo and kickboxing that we do. Isn't that funny? But now you got me thinking that I should give this another try. Anyway, I think 1.40 miles is more than satisfactory for 30 min. but I'm no expert. I think its Robin who's in Arizona and the runner. Maybe she can shed some light if she hasn't already. I didn't read the other posts. Keep at it!!;-) Kathy