I have a confession to make. I am a tracker. I use the MyFitnessPal app to track the calories that I intake every day. I use the Nike+ app to track the miles that I walk so that I can see how much I have progressed (or not) on my health and fitness journey. I believe in celebrating victories, small and large, because those victories can be a source of encouragement, not only for myself, but for others as well.
My first time walking in June 2011 was a slow start. I had not exercised since, what seemed like forever. My husband and I walked around a track near our home. In the beginning, I was excited because I had just purchased my Nike+ sensor. I wanted to get to steppin’. I was more than ready to drop a whole bunch of weight. But alas, my excitement could only take me 2.17 miles. I walked for 39 minutes and 41 seconds at an average pace of 18 minutes and 17 seconds. And, I was sore the next morning. No bueno. Despite my discomfort, we got up early the next morning (I am not a morning person AND it was Saturday.) and hit the track again. That first day could have knocked me down for the count, but I kept going strong. Until September. That’s a story for another post. But, I am back again, stronger than ever! I am feeling better than ever!
On Tuesday, May 1, 2012, I reached one hundred miles of walking.
In anticipation of reaching this milestone, I bought myself two exercise tops (made of moisture wicking fabric, of course) from Target. One pink and one blue. A family member gave me a Target gift card for Christmas and I still had some money on the card. I invested wisely in my fitness wardrobe. I will wear one of my new tops during my first workout session after this milestone. Stay encouraged.
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Crystal Cochren is a member of the North New Jersey chapter of BGR! She has a long term running goal to run a 5k race in the Spring of 2013. Crystal practices law during the day, and is also a minister. In addition to the health benefits, Crystal sees fitness from a theological perspective. She is guided by 1 Corinthians 3:16, "Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?" (NKJC). Crystal began walking in June 2011, and soon hopes to graduate to running.