Last year, while taking care of Donna, I did let myself go quite a bit and hit every fast food restaurant between Issaquah and the University of Washington hospital where Donna was for 4 months. After Donna past, I knew some changes were in order. As per my wife's last wishes...move on and get healthy too.
By the middle of May, when my grandson and I went to my niece's wedding, I knew damn well I was overweight, bloated and feeling miserable.
Because of two ceramic artificial joints. six screws and some staples in my right foot I knew running was out. I opted for walking, and walking I did! On Fathers day last year, my son Denny, wife Luara and granddaughter Ashley got me a Fitbit. I'm like "what's a Fitbit"? After explaining that it tracks your steps while walking, I decided to try it out.
I started the Rotary Trail here in Colville while weighing 244 in May. I think by the time I got the Fitbit on June 21, 2015, I may have been down to 240.
I spent many hours talking to a friend named Roxanne, about what foods are good to eat and the portion size, but after that came Europe. For three weeks I figuratively walked my ass off! I would get up hours before my brothers to walk and then sometimes walk in the evening too.
When I came back from Europe I walked in Colorado...
Ran (that may be a slight exaggeration
...more like humped) up the steps at the Red Rock Amphitheater in Denver. (TWICE)!
I then started to incorporate some actual...hiking. This is near Boulder Colorado.
5 months later, after humping through the streets of Europe and San Diego and San Pedro, I have lost over 40 lbs...all the while competing in challenges with my Fitbit friends.
Spending part of the winter in the Palm Springs area certainly made walking easy, the mild weather allowed me to walk and hike nearly every day.
I nearly always had Donna on my mind while walking at first, there were times I'd break down, feeling the hurt of her not being with me...every mile seemed to lessen the emotional load somewhat.
After Palm Springs, I went up to San Luis Obispo for a few weeks of walking. Some of my longest walks were thru the hills overlooking the bay. I believe my longest one-time walk was over 13 miles. I am always aware of the timeline because the dogs are by themselves.
Besides just walking, I am able to honor Donna by following many of the same routes we had done together...this being Pismo Beach Pier.
Back home for the spring I am finding many different walks, some up mountains, some along rivers and many walks on country roads...while waving to passing cars.
This is now my life...walking, walking, walking, walking, walking!
5,900,000 steps in one year!
About 2900 miles in one year!
Nearly 14,000 stories...in one year!
Six pairs of tennis shoes!
Loss of 54 pounds...but now backtracked to only 45 pounds!
Four Fitbits...it's been one hell of a year!
To Denny, Laura, and Ashely...thank you very much for my Fitbit.
2 comments:
We will see how my year goes, since I got a Fitbit about a month ago and have increased my walking a lot.
You're very welcome Tom. All three of us are happy to see you using the Fitbit and never dreamed you'd be pushing nearly 6 million miles a year later. That's a crazy amount of walking! Great Job! Denny, Laura & Ashley
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