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I hope this doesn't come across vain, but today, December 23rd, 2006, I have exceeded my running goal for 2006: to run 1,500 miles. I hit 1,511 miles today.
Had you told me 5 years ago that I would have done that, I would have laughed you out of town. Back then, (circa 2001), I was in the worst shape of my entire life. I was 40 pounds overweight and a total bonafide couch potato. I never exercised; why? TOO TIRED. My idea of a balanced diet was McDonalds on Monday, Burger King on Tuesday, KFC on Wednesday, Taco Bell on Thursday, and Long John Silvers on Friday. Maybe on the weekends, I would cook, but it would be a meat and POTATOES and probably corn as a vegetable .. ugh.
I reached ROCK BOTTOM in January 2002. One night, while walking through Walmart's "action aisle" I saw a book that caught my eye. Enter: Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution. I picked it up .. what the heck, it was only 6 bucks. Little did I know at the time, that my life was about to turn UPSIDE DOWN.
I read the book in one day. The next day, I started Atkins and exercise. I never looked back.
Today, I am a totally different person. Not just physically, but in every way possible. I only wish Dr. Atkins was still alive so I could PERSONALLY travel to New York and thank him for all he did for me; the inspiration he gave me to believe that, at age 45, it was NOT too late to turn my life around; to get my YOUTH back.
Today, I celebrate a huge achievement in my life. I've run 1,500 miles, literally from my home in Tampa Florida, through Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, and Nebraska. It totally blows my mind to think about that.
I'm not bragging. I simply hope that by reading this post, maybe SOMEONE out there who thinks "oh its too late for me" will find the inspiration and courage to TRY. To set a goal for themselves that seems "impossible" .. and to strive, sweat, and toil to achieve it. Will it be easy? Of course not. Few, if any, things in life that are worthwhile are ever easy. I've run 1500 miles through rain, extreme heat and humidity (I live in Florida after all!) .. all because I set a goal for myself and would NOT give up or give in until I completed it.
Now, if *I* can do it, so can you. Set a goal. Dream BIG. Set your mind and your WILL to do it. The rewards are beyond words.
Betty
Had you told me 5 years ago that I would have done that, I would have laughed you out of town. Back then, (circa 2001), I was in the worst shape of my entire life. I was 40 pounds overweight and a total bonafide couch potato. I never exercised; why? TOO TIRED. My idea of a balanced diet was McDonalds on Monday, Burger King on Tuesday, KFC on Wednesday, Taco Bell on Thursday, and Long John Silvers on Friday. Maybe on the weekends, I would cook, but it would be a meat and POTATOES and probably corn as a vegetable .. ugh.
I reached ROCK BOTTOM in January 2002. One night, while walking through Walmart's "action aisle" I saw a book that caught my eye. Enter: Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution. I picked it up .. what the heck, it was only 6 bucks. Little did I know at the time, that my life was about to turn UPSIDE DOWN.
I read the book in one day. The next day, I started Atkins and exercise. I never looked back.
Today, I am a totally different person. Not just physically, but in every way possible. I only wish Dr. Atkins was still alive so I could PERSONALLY travel to New York and thank him for all he did for me; the inspiration he gave me to believe that, at age 45, it was NOT too late to turn my life around; to get my YOUTH back.
Today, I celebrate a huge achievement in my life. I've run 1,500 miles, literally from my home in Tampa Florida, through Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, and Nebraska. It totally blows my mind to think about that.
I'm not bragging. I simply hope that by reading this post, maybe SOMEONE out there who thinks "oh its too late for me" will find the inspiration and courage to TRY. To set a goal for themselves that seems "impossible" .. and to strive, sweat, and toil to achieve it. Will it be easy? Of course not. Few, if any, things in life that are worthwhile are ever easy. I've run 1500 miles through rain, extreme heat and humidity (I live in Florida after all!) .. all because I set a goal for myself and would NOT give up or give in until I completed it.
Now, if *I* can do it, so can you. Set a goal. Dream BIG. Set your mind and your WILL to do it. The rewards are beyond words.
Betty
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And yes, it does give others hope. Because of you, Joy, Sarah, and many others who have tackled and mastered running and exercise, when they never thought they would/could have, I realize I can get there, too. I'm walking/running my first half-marathon in Atlanta at the end of March, and am really excited about it! Folks like you inspired me to do it... so again, CONGRATULATIONS and thank you for all you do to motivate others!
Woohoo Betty !!! 
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