I have never been fond of exercise…repeat…I have never been fond (at all) of exercise.

I do not like deliberate exercise, meaning, if I feel like I am forcing myself to do it, I don’t want to do it. Stubborn? Yes.

If I am walking for pleasure, such as, taking a hike on a path in nature, I totally enjoy the exercise because it is done in a surrounding that pours peace into my soul – such as in the woods. Fearful of this in Texas…of running into a rattlesnake.

I hit the 60 year-old-mark this year. Age is only a number, that is how I see it, but 3 months beyond my birthday I am thinking about health. I am looking at the age-clock spinning. 80 used to look a LONG distance off, now it is inching closer. I am not OLD by any standards, but, at this age I need to be much stronger.

Combine the need for a sound body with my love of desk work, especially writing, my life-long (past) career with bookkeeping, student loans, and office management, and it adds to the sedentary aspects of my life. My favorite evening past-time includes bible study and journaling. Pouring thoughts and words from my heart.

So, where do I fit in exercise?

This week, I started a 3-times-a-week beginner’s campaign. I feel totally out of my realm, but I know I am doing this for my own good.

I needed to find a place where I could get out into fresh air and walk. I found it, and it is only one mile away from home.

Away I went. Sadly, both days I had reasons I couldn’t go on to 1-3 miles. First was the windchill at 30 degrees. I felt like a wrinkled in pain prune. Really?! 30 degree windchill in Central Texas? The next day, too much decaf coffee drank before I started the sprint. Cut my efforts short. Lessons learned. Today, day 3, I will walk through my first mile! Onwards!

Training my brain to remember – walking is a cardiovascular exercise. 30 minutes of walking, 5 days a week, “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that adults ages 19 to 24 aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise each week. In addition to being a low-impact way to meet the physical activity guidelines, walking requires no special clothing or gear and costs nothing. While brisk walking is best, there are benefits from walking at a regular pace as well, such as lowering your risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. Walking strengthens your bones and muscles and may help you maintain a healthy weight.” per DiabetesSelfManagement.com.

Through diet, I am off of insulin. Through diet, I am on one pill a day. Through diet and exercise, I intend to be in full control of my health, completely prescription free, within one year.

So, this is a tussle for many of us that sit at a desk all day, but, we must get up and MOVE – whether we like it or not. Get the blood moving, take control of our health! Don’t set a goal to start in the next year, start NOW—today!

I’ll report in at a later date. In the meantime, share your in-progress or success stories with me. I want to hear them! Help keep me accountable. Hold me to my pledge!