On March 26, 2009, I was diagnosed with diabetes. I had been in denial about my health for many years; I was living a sedentary life, eating the wrong foods and watching my weight grow higher and higher. After my diabetes diagnosis, I was determined to do something about my situation. I’d been determined before; I have battled with weight problems my whole life and I’ve tried every kind of diet and nutrition plan there is only to fail after a few months.
But this time it was different. I had a different motivator. I didn’t want to lose my feet, my vision or have a heart attack. Immediately, that day, I started my new lifestyle and have not looked back.
I follow a diabetic diet and along with medication and I’ve lost over 50 pounds. The Diabetes Food Pyramid diet works because you learn how to eat balanced meals throughout the day by making the correct choices.
I also discovered Virgin HealthMiles and now not only do I eat correctly but I lead an active lifestyle which I thought was gone forever.
I started my walking program in March 2009 but I wasn’t able to walk 3 miles at a time until June 2009 when I joined Virgin HealthMiles.I don’t know why, but the pedometer motivates me to walk. I never thought I would say that, but it does. You are so concerned about getting those 7,000 steps a day that sometimes you find yourself running in place at night to get those last few hundred steps to make it to 7,000. What an accomplishment you feel when you get there!
Since joining Virgin HealthMiles I have walked 2,537,498 steps (1,195 miles) and have worn out 3 pair of walking shoes!
For those of you just beginning a walking program, please start out slow at first to avoid injuries. It’s important not to overdo it at the beginning. The important thing about walking is getting your heart rate up and trying to do it every day. It doesn’t matter if you walk it all at once or break it up into three smaller walks a day (10 minutes at a time until you can work your way up) you will benefit from the activity and lose weight. Of course, it is very important to drink a lot of water.
Since last year when I began my lifestyle change, I have:
- Walked in four 5Ks (bettering my finish time with each walk)
- Won a bunch of great prizes from the 2009 Frankfort’s Chamber of Commerce’s Biggest Loser Contest (came in 2nd place!)
- Joined the Wellness Program at work and our team won a wonderful prize
- Joined Fit-Time-for-Women’s gym
- Enjoyed the many new beginnings in my life: I’ll be turning 50 this year and am actually looking forward to it because I feel better than I have in years!
Needless to say, my life has changed and I am enjoying all the opportunities that this change has brought me. I’m not stuck to my couch, in front of the TV, eating and wasting my life.
I know how hard it is to get started. I was very depressed at first. I had lost my best friend – Food – which was how I normally coped with stress. I now try to use walking and my diet to help with stress. My friend Food has become a way for me to eat to live instead of living to eat. If I can do this, you can do this – one step at a time!!
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