I was walking today...a route I found by accident a few months ago. It's about 2.8 miles long, but is up and down big hills.
I wrote about it...I think I called it the accidental walk.
In it I described seeing the two playgrounds I took my girls to....They were separated by about 600-700 feet..at the most a quarter mile.
I would take them to one, and then they would want to walk to the other....and I would say...'we don't have time..." or just flat out "no'.
Because it was too far.
Because it hurt to walk.
Because I was too tired.
During that walk I was thinking how I was walking 12 times as far...
When I first did this walk.
It was so hard for me.
I remember walking to the top of the first big hill, looking back and thinking "Hey, I climbed that."
Today I didn't look back because it wasn't hard.
Today was my 'easy' workout.
My 'easy' walk.
I enjoyed the sunshine...I didn't even breath hard.
I did it as a commemoration.
This is the last time I will walk this particular route.
It isn't enough anymore.
I will still walk bits of it.
But I am adding a 2.8 mile stretch onto it.
For a 5.6 mile walk.
Today as the sun was setting, I watched my shadow stretch out beside me.
I used to avoid looking at my shadow.
It mirrored back to me my failures.
Today I looked,
as it stretched out in front of me...
Much thinner...
a reflection of my efforts.
It was thanking me.
For starting,
For continuing.
For winning.
signed,
A shadow of my former self,
chris
This totally brought tears to my eyes! Be proud, Chris! You have come so far!
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I LOVE the new look on your blog!
ReplyDeleteYou're wicked, Chris! Do you know that?! Lovely post & I'm so happy for you!
ReplyDeletegood for you!
ReplyDeleteYou're such an inspiration for me.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for writing of your struggles and accomplishments.
wow what a nice post..you have come far and will go even father..you are doing this ..you are making it happen for you..i love walking but almost 6 miles is a bit much for me..maybe in another year..hehe..good job..kelli
ReplyDeleteToo easy!? Wow, that is wonderful that you have come so far, and now are looking for harder challenges. Amazing. I loved reading this. It made me want to be able to be writing something similar, someday. Someday...
ReplyDeleteLoretta
=^..^=
Funny how these physical and mental courses become easier....
ReplyDeleteThe "obstacle" course transforms into a "confidence" course... but it's not the course than changes....
It's us!
Gotta love it!
aww you just brought me to tears
ReplyDeletegreat post
i remember all the things i couldnt do with my little one a year ago because it was just too hard to move and now i do them constantly czuse its fun
i love posts like this
we have all come a long way
congrats
You really are just a shadow of your former self Chris - be very proud!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kick in the butt reminder of why we work so hard to lose weight.
ReplyDeleteYou have such a gift with words...this brought tears to my eyes...so proud of you! :)
ReplyDeleteThat was really lovely. When the next hard thing comes along you will know that it won't always be hard because you can look at this hard thing and say, "I did that. It's now easy. Someday this will be easy too." You have your inspiration for the next trial that comes your way. That is awesome!
ReplyDeleteAwesome Chris. It is so inspiring to travel down paths that were so difficult before and are now easy. Gives you such a feeling of accomplishment.
ReplyDeleteYou rock girl!
Very nice. That must be a little bittersweet for you.
ReplyDeleteI can identify with this post! The number of times I've got out of walking somewhere because it was more pain and effort than it was worth... Now I don't even think twice about walking any distance - and I'm only a part of my way along this journey!
ReplyDeleteIt's incredible to see tangible proof of your accomplishments, I know. Two years ago, we began hiking in the mountain preserves around Phoenix and I was amazed I could do it because I've had two knee surgeries and refuse to have a third (I'll do it when I get a third knee, okay?).
ReplyDeleteSomehow we missed last year's hiking and you have to catch it quick in Arizona. But this past Sunday we went for our first time this spring and I was not only able to hike, my daughter and I were jogging on the trail! JOGGING on a Mountain with a ten-year-old!
Great post Chris!!! Funny what use to seem so far is now so easy. I love reading about your shadow too!!!
ReplyDeleteOne more thing... I have something for you on my blog!
ReplyDeleteChris, you amaze me. What a lovely post. I admire the way you push yourself. Don't look back. Just keep going.
ReplyDeletePaula
You're a fabulous writer, Chris. Congrats on all your accomplishments!
ReplyDeleteWhat a touching post. I could hear your triumph, which I could empathize with. I could feel my milestones again. Thanks. It feels great. :) You keep going. Keep feeling triumph and great.
ReplyDeletewow! it reminds me of a lot of women i know. it also points out that being overweight affects everybody. Of course you love your children and you've done many things right. Thank goodness you can do fun things with your kids now that you couldn't before.
ReplyDeleteAwesome post. I avoid "short" walks...something I need to work on. It's on the list. I'm gonna love the day when short walks are nothing at all. Thanks for the motivation. Good job to you. :)
ReplyDelete