Several years ago I passed by a dog walker every morning on my way to work. Like clockwork this middle-aged woman and her dog made their loop around the neighborhood and I watched them with intrigue as I drove by. What was so interesting about these two was that it was like watching dog-walking in reverse: she walked at an excruciatingly slow pace, and her dog would be walking as far behind her as the 6 foot leash would allow. At times the woman’s arm would be outstretched fully behind her as well, leaving even more space between them. She wasn’t pulling the dog, she was merely taking him on a walk that he clearly didn’t want to be on.
The dog was of a larger breed and clearly a senior dog. They walked every day rain or shine, for months. Little by little, I noticed that the space between them grew smaller. I did a double-take one day and thought, ‘Did I just see that dog actually trot?’
It became obvious that this dog had been put on a strict regimen; he desperately needed exercise and could only do so much in the beginning. Even though I never saw him walk in front of his owner, he eventually kept up at a pretty good pace and it was clear that he actually began to enjoy his daily outings.
Thinking about that recently reminded me of my own aversion to exercise when I first started. I hated every single minute of it. My legs hurt, my back hurt, I was slow, uncoordinated, I’d be wringing wet from sweat, my lungs felt like they were going to explode; and that was just DURING the exercise. For days afterward I’d hobble around in pain with shin splints, aching knees, backache and muscle spasms. My body was not digging this ‘new way of life’ and it let me know it. If there had been anyone observing me when I began exercising they surely would have seen vast similarities between me and that dog. I have come so far since then.
I’ve been reading your blogs lately and as I’m seeing the stats some of you are producing, whether from kettlebells, boot camp, yoga, treadmill or dvds, I’ve been really inspired and wonder if you’ve taken the time to appreciate how far you’ve come. I hope so. Our bodies are showing us every day that we’re better, stronger, and healthier in ways that the scale cannot measure.
Look for the signs.
Think of one thing in your life where you are noticing progress (while scale numbers are greatly appreciated, I’m looking for things that you are noticing within yourself). Name something you’re better at – stronger at, than you were on January 1st and post it in the comments section below. Meet me back here on March 7th – I already have it circled on my calendar – and we’ll compare notes.
You’ll see that you are moving mountains.
I’ll start: January 1st I was still working through Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred. In Level Three she called for ‘Rocky-style sit-ups’. These are the ones where you put your hands behind your ears and pull yourself all the way up to a sitting position while keeping feet flat on the floor. I had to quit at 3. Three, and even those were pathetic. I could. not. do it. Plain and simple. I remember saying, ‘You’ve got to be (enter random curse word here) kidding me!’ as I just laid there wondering how I’d let this happen – how this shouldn’t BE happening. It left me feeling utterly defeated.
Today, I can do 30. It’s not earth-shattering numbers but that’s how far I’ve come in a month. My scale hasn’t budged, but there’s no doubt that I have more endurance. I am stronger.
OK. Your turn.
Since I have long-standing back problems and arthritis, I consider every day that I walk and do some yoga as a triumph.
In 2003-2004, I had two surgeries and spent close to six months out of about 18 months without being allowed to put any weight on my right leg. I began walking totally cane-free 18 months after the first surgery.
When I first started using a pedometer, 2,000 steps a days was amazing. Now, I can easily do well over 10,000 steps and my best day was over 20,000 which included dancing for several hours one night while on a cruise.
I will never do those Jillian Michael sit-ups–my back would never allow them–but I just do what I can on a regular basis.
Have a great day! I’ll be going to yoga, myself.
What a great comment! You have come an incredibly long way, I’d say! Very inspirational and exactly the kind of comment I was looking for
Yoga is the one thing I have not conquered but would love to try; that will be added to my list.
I was thinking about writing about the progress I have made too… I know when I first started working out in September 2010, I could hardly do WATP 1mile walk without complaining. Now I can do 5miles almost with ease. (it’s still a challenging workout though). I remember I had swollen ankles and my back would hurt and knees were hurting (after 2mins) now I can do hours of exercising with minimum knee pain (it’s more like a discomfort). I was just thinking about this over the weekend. Now you have inspired me to actually make a post. I really enjoy reading your posts Ellen
Yay, Shannie! This is exactly the kind of comment I’m looking for. I will be adding all responses to the March 7 post so you can see where you are at exactly one month from today – I bet you’ll be amazed (maybe zero knee pain by then! Wouldn’t that be great?)
That would be amazing
I am excited about it.
I was telling my husband about a little trail that I want to try and as we were in the area yesterday we went to look at it. I could literally only walk for 5 minutes before having to turn back. Granted, I was in street shoes, but still, this was not a mountain! So, I am going to be walking that trail before the month is out. I have no idea how long it is, but watch this space.
Hanlie, I will make note of this comment and post in along with all the others on March 7. Then you can choose to comment on an update so you can see how far you’ve come! Wouldn’t it be great if you’re consistently walking that whole trail by March? That would be awesome!
You’re on!
The first challenge for me is *letting go of the day* and going to bed so I can get up and walk the dog for 20 minutes.
Right now I usually have to stop about 10 minutes into the walk and bend over and let my back relax… and having been in this position before and knowing that just walking the dog *every day* for a minimum of 10 minutes (just 10!!) will improve that pain!
So… March 7 (putting day in calendar…)!
This is exactly the kind of comment I was looking for, CD! I’ll make note of it as well and include it in my March 7 post. Then you can come back and let me know where you’re at – wouldn’t it be great if your back pain were at a minimum by then? I can tell you from experience: I have degenerative disc disease and my lower back hurt 24/7. It wasn’t until I started walking that my pain decreased significantly and now it is SO much better – just from walking. Good luck and I’ll see you back here in a month (well, hopefully before that, but you know what I mean! lol)
I know what you mean about the scale not being a very good measure of overall health. I don’t know how far I have come from Jan 1, but I know I play soccer a lot, and I have gone from needing a sub every 10 minutes to being able to play a full half with no sub. Granted that has been over the past year but it still means worlds to me that I can make my body move for so long without it giving up on me.
That is exactly what I’m looking for, Ellie. Soccer it is! I’ll make note of it as well and when you come back on March 7, I’ll remind you of what you wrote so that you can comment on your progress if you’d like (btw, soccer is SO cool – I didn’t know you played!)
*cough* football *cough*
hehe.
Oh, yeah! I forgot – *doh!*
I guess I have got to say my walking.
The idea of walking to my works new building 3 miles away was great but when it came to actually doing it, well, it scared the hell out of me.
Now I am at the point where I refuse lifts home just so I can walk it. It’s not always easy but it’s becoming enjoyable
Excellent post Ellen
Oops. Didn’t mean to post my second comment there!!
What a great post, Ellen! I can SO relate to that dog!
At the end of October I started a Couch to 5 Km challenge.
I actually repeated weeks 1 through 3 because I didn’t think I could do it. Just running (slowly) for 60 seconds took my breath away and I thought my legs were going to burn up. It seemed impossible!
Today, I can run non-stop for 28 minutes! My legs still burn, but it hurts in a good way. I do not run fast, but I can run! And I am stronger!
Casey, I do believe this post was written especially for you
You are a PRIME example of how much stronger one can get. 28 minutes? I can’t do that!! I’ll make note of your 28 minute mark and when you come back on the 7th of March – I can’t wait to see your progress from here!
I love this post. Kudos to the dog and boy do I know how he felt in the beginning. I’ve been pretty sedentary for the last 12 years and when I started using my treadmill last year, I couldn’t go five minutes without stopping for a break. I still have a long way to go. I walk a mile in just under 25 minutes – yeah, I said I have a long way to go. My goal for this month is to increase the pace to under 22 minutes. It’s a start.
Great job on those sit-ups. I ‘m sure I wouldn’t be able to do one (too much weight to pull up).
Tammy, this is exactly the kind of comment I was looking for – thank you! You have made a HUGE amount of progress and I’ll make note of your goal for just under 22 minutes. See you back here on March 7th!
Great post, Ellen. And congratulations on your Rocky ab work!
Roxie, that’s awfully sweet of you considering that I think 30 is still a very ‘girly’ number. Maybe that will be the thing I work to improve on. I’d love to aim for 100 but that seems insane right now! lol
Bravo, Ellen and so very true. If a dog can do it, so can I – lol.
But I know what you’re saying about the pain and sweat and the argghhh, this is tough, but it gets easier and is so worthwhile.
Congratulations on the Jillian Michaels achievement! That woman pushes the best to the edge
Interpreting ‘strength’ in a slightly different way, I’d say the biggest difference in strength I’ve seen in myself in the last month is that I now have a strong enough will to do what I want without fear. I no longer fear looking silly or doing something incorrectly, so I’m more willing to do interesting things like Fencing or dancing. Over the next month, I hope to expand on this (and hopefully report back with some fun stories!)
I love this comment, Ali, and I love the fact that you are using a mental strength instead of a physical one! Your progress on this is exactly the kind of thing I’ve been working towards over the past few months. I’ll make note of your goals and when you come back on the 7th of March I’ll look forward to hearing what you’ve done this month (I’m still rooting for Sushi making or pottery! lol)
I’m impressed about your 30 sit-ups — I haven’t even tried to do one in years. You’ve inspired me to attempt one today.
What am I better at since January 1? Well, I’ve been walking at least 10,000 steps every single day. In the beginning, I had to take asprin or some other mild pain killer to help ease the discomfort in my legs by the time I was finished with my steps. After about 2 weeks, I realized that the achiness disappeared by itself within 30 minutes, even on the days when I pushed far beyond the 10,000 steps. And the other big change is that I don’t look at completing my steps as an obligation, but as something fun to do.
I love it, Marsial! This is a HUGE progress! So proud of you because I know how hard it is when you’ve got pain attached to an exercise – makes it that much harder. I’m going to make note of your pain lasting no more than 30 minutes. Come back on March 7th and who knows, maybe you’ll be commenting that your pain is gone – wouldn’t that be great?
I realized that I hadn’t read your blog yet today – and that I missed your updates – so I clicked over and wasn’t disappointed! I hope you know that your blog is so totally inspirational to me!
My “ah-ha” moment when when I realized I could do real push-ups. When I worked up to 30, I was pretty sure that I was a superhero! If I hadn’t started pole fitness, I never would have whipped my arms into that kind of shape!
OK, LauraJayne – like, MAN pushups? You totally rock, you know. I still have to do the girly ones – I never used to have any upper body strength at all and I dream of being able to do more than one or two the ‘army-style’ way. Are you doing more than 30 yet? I’m making notes so that I can post these progress notes to give you something to go by so when you come back you can compare. If I don’t hear back from you I’ll make a note of 30 – which is totally awesome, by the way.
I love the simplicity of your message…because it really is that simple. This is going to sound crazy, because it’s certainly not that big a deal, but something I will always remember is the day that I unhooked the shower curtain from the rings without having to rest and put my arms down (and then put it back up without having to rest and put my arms down). That was several years ago now, but it stands out in my mind because there was a time when I couldn’t do it…my arms were just not strong enough.
Recently, however, I’ve been less active due to tendonitis in my right shoulder and elbow, not to mention some overall aches, pains and fatigue. Not sure what’s causing it…it’s probably just winter.
Ooh, Karen – I’m sorry about the pain you’ve been having. I don’t think I knew this. Winter has definitely put a damper on life in general, both emotional and physical. Hope you’re feeling better soon (thank God Feb. is a short month) I love the comment about the shower curtain rings – I know exactly what you’re talking about! I used to do the same thing. That’s a great ‘aha’ moment to remember.
Okay, first of all, you’re doing TEN TIMES the number of sit ups you could do a month ago — you don’t call those earth-shattering numbers? I do. BIG HOORAY FOR YOU!!
A month ago, I decided I needed to achieve better balance between work, life, and blog-related activities. I’m happy to report I’m doing much better… and it shows in every area of my life.
You are right, Michele. I have GOT to stop comparing myself with other people and concentrate on ‘my’ progress. I get so stuck on that and am grateful for you calling me out on it. For ME it is a big deal, right? Thank you
And I know what kind of progress you’ve made – I have watched you do it and know how much it’s affected you. I’m so glad that you are happy with the balance you’ve found. It shows in your writing.
Well LauraJayne has me not feeling quite so hot about this, but what the heck my journey is mine:) and this post was perfect timing for me. I have been feeling good about the “scale” but still feeling like “ugh fatso” when I look in the mirror. Basically having a hard time “seeing” the difference other than numbers wise(which I am happy with, but, you know, it’s about more than that).
I have never in all my life been able to do ANY kind of push-up. Even when I was young, and in better shape, I just had absolutely no upper body strength. In January I set a goal for myself that has had me working out five-six days a week for over a month now(this is big for me). Yesterday I was getting ready for the day and thought, “Hmm I wonder if I can do a push-up?” Girl-style of course. And I did TWO! This was a huge, “You are getting stronger!” moment for me.
I look forward to marking the calendar to see how many I can do in March:)
p.s. Way to go with the push-ups…..I’ve had four c-sections in the last 8 years and my abs are destroyed. 30 is very impressive!
Joni, I was just called out on my post for saying that 30 sit-ups is a big deal for ME (I wrote that it wasn’t ‘earth-shattering’ numbers’.) She was right. And now I’m going to do the same for you: first, working out 5-6 days a week is a major change and the fact that you gave thought to doing a push-up and then doing TWO is again, such an accomplishment considering where you started. And we all have to start somewhere. Remember me back on my floor cursing at Jillian because I could barely do three sit-ups?
OK, so…..now, I will make a note of your two push-ups and I’ll see you back here on March 7th. I’ll put in my post your success as of today and if you’d like you can give an update! Thank you so much for your comment today
I love this post! It’s so easy to forget to measure your progress after you set your goals…and I think between sometimes making too broad of a goal and then not measuring progress on a regular basis people get discouraged and give up. You are so right, we don’t see all of the little things we’ve done that add up to the big things!
I did the 10,000 Kettle Bell swing challenge for the month of January. When I started I used a 25 pound kettle bell and could only do 25 reps at a time~a total of about 325 per day. While that is still good, I was able to move up to my 30 pound kettle bell, do 100 reps at a time and 1000 per day…all within a few weeks.
And while I couldn’t see all of the changes in my body (of course the scale didn’t budge) many people who haven’t seen me since Christmas/New Years have seen a big changes in my belly and arms and have asked me to help them develop their own KB workouts!
My new challenge for the next month will be increase from my current 5 mile long run to an 8 mile long run…and to try not to give a hoot what the scale says!!
Lynn, your kettlebell challenge sounds like something a fictional character could only do! lol
Honestly, I’m amazed at your ability to do it (and I read your post about finishing off the month). A sincere congratulations because that is one major accomplishment.
I’m making a note of your current 5 mile long run and post about it on March 7th. If you’d like, come back and give everyone an update on where you are – and thank you for a great comment
PS. What’s the deal with the scale not budging, anyway? It totally owes us!!
It’s easy to forgot how long you’ve come when all you can focus on is the scale. You determine progress by the numbers and not the other accomplishments you’ve acheived during the time. I needed this post today. Especially with all my scale troubles.
For the month I’ve noticed my bike riding has improved quite a bit. Starting in January, I could only bike about a mile in 20 minutes. Sunday I biked alittle over 3 miles in 40 minutes. That’s with stopping to take pictures! I never thought when I started biking that I would be doing 3 miles!
For this month I’m hoping to improve on my Biggest Loser work out. It’s kicking my butt and I’m sweating insanely. I just need to keep it up and stop being a baby. SUCK IT UP WOMAN!!
Precisely one of the reason why I posted this today
I am making note of the progress on your Biggest Loser workout AND on your bike riding. In a month, you are going to be biking God only knows where, I can feel it!! March 7th, girlie. Be here for an update!
That is such a great post. Just what I needed to here today!
On Jan. 1 I would never have even given it a thought about me shoving a full sized van out of the ice and snow. This past weekend I did just that. It was an awesome feeling knowing that in just a short time I was able to accomplish getting back enough strength in my legs and back to do this.
This is a great post. Thanks for the positive message!
I wish I felt like I NEED exercise, but I simply don’t have that feeling. What I have is panic. Panic of being fat again. This is what drives me, at least for now.
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