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Motivation | How to Start Walking

From the Fitness & Wellness After Hysterectomy Articles List

How can I motivate myself to get started walking?


When we become sedentary, which means we don’t move around very much, it gets much more difficult to get started moving again. This is particularly true when it hurts to move. Even walking can be difficult at first, but it is one of the most helpful things we can do to regain or maintain our health. It burns calories, aids circulation, tones muscles, and builds endurance.

To get started walking, the HysterSisters have a few helpful suggestions.

• Start out with modest goals, such as just walking around the block three times per week. Don’t start off too ambitiously, or you are more likely to give up because it is too difficult. Add another block when you’re ready. Add another day when your endurance is up. Before you know it, you’ll be walking more than a mile every day.
• Walk with a friend or significant other. Being social while you walk makes the time go by faster, keeps you accountable to each other, and gives you something to look forward to.
• Don’t let the weather be an excuse not to walk. If it’s hot, walk in the early morning or late evening. If it’s cold, bundle up. If it’s raining lightly, wear a slicker. If the weather really is intolerable, walk in a mall. You’ll be proud of yourself for sticking to your goals despite Mother Nature’s mood swings.
• Reward yourself when you reach mini-goals. Don’t beat up on yourself when you don’t.
• Start today! Don’t wait for “I’ll do it when…” conditions to come around. Just get out there and get started.

Here’s an inspirational story shared by a HysterSister about how she got started walking and has stuck to it for almost seven years and counting:

“My husband and I had planned to go on a cruise with friends. I wanted to loose some weight and try to get in shape, but let's face it, lazy usually wins out in the long run. But I picked a day and decided to start walking everyday. I didn't know how long it would last, but at least I got started.

That was 2500 days ago. I haven't missed a day yet. I walk in the heat, the cold, the rain, and the snow. I got up at 4:00 in the morning to walk the day of my surgery in case I didn't feel up to walking at the hospital that day (but I walked that evening up and down the hallways at the castle). My dog usually goes with me and he really enjoys getting out each day.

This has become as much a part of my day, each day, as a shower and brushing my teeth. I have had days where I might have not walked if I hadn't had this string of days going, so that gets me through the tough days. Most days I am happy to go out and walk. My minimun walk is one mile and my maximum is three miles. It just depends on me and the weather each day.

I can remember being excited when I had made it a week without missing a day. Then it was a month, and now suddenly I am up to 6.8 years. I don't remember the exact date, but it was in August, so seven years is approaching quickly.

I'm not skin and bones by any means and still could use some weight loss (however I can maintain a size 14 which I am very happy with), but I feel good and enjoy myself and that is what I find to be the most rewarding part of this.”

Hope I've inspired some of you to get out and get walking. It can be a great thing."



This content was written by staff of HysterSisters.com by non-medical professionals based on discussions, resources and input from other patients for the purpose of patient-to-patient support.




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