Are YOU one of those individuals who despises the word "exercise"? As you nod your head "yes," I want you to know that I once despised it too! It wasn't that I didn't like the sound of the eight-letter word when someone said it – it's just that I didn't want to focus on making my body put forth any extra muscle-grueling effort to work out, lift weights, run at the gym, etc.

Actually, maybe I didn’t want to do more than I was doing each and every day anyways… meaning that since I was a stay-at-home mom, I knew that I “exercised” every waking hour already, why would I want to do more?  I was always completely exhausted by the time I want to bed.  I was getting plenty of exercise as far as I was concerned!

But was it really exercise?  Sure, I was busy all day long, changing diapers, chasing after a toddler, cleaning the house, preparing meals, folding laundry, mowing the yard, etc., but it wasn’t truly an exercise regimen.  Yet being the morbidly obese person that I was, I was great at convincing myself that this WAS exercise, it was enough!  But that changed, along with my entire attitude, once I decided to start living a healthy lifestyle in January 2001.

As I commented in yesterday’s post, if you give exercise a try, it really isn’t so bad – especially if that exercise is something as simple as walking!  I know that an exercise such as walking (something that the majority of us do every day anyways) sounds almost too simple to actually create any significant weight loss, but I’m telling you that I tried it and walked my way from a size 24 to a size 6!  I lost 162 pounds in 16 months because I walked – and that is why I love WALKING so much!

Today, I want you to try it too… just WALK!  No, you don’t have to go to a gym.  No, you don’t have to rent or purchase any special equipment.  No, you don’t have to pay to walk.  And guess what?  You can walk almost ANYWHERE at ANYTIME with ANYONE for ANY distance that you choose!  And it is GOOD FOR YOU!  Not only will you shed excess weight, but there are soooo many health benefits due to brisk walking!

So, let me guess… you are wondering how far I walked, how many hours per day I walked, where I walked, what time of day I walked, how “fast” I walked, and if I still walk today even though I did reach my goal weight, right?  Well, let me tell you: I walked 1.5 miles (3,000 steps on a pedometer) every day, no matter what!  I didn’t allow the weather or my energy level to stop me.  NO EXCUSES – I walked every day!

My one and a half mile walk took me about 22-23 minutes per day because I walked at a brisk rate, pretending “my house was on fire and my kids were inside”… never stopping for anything!  I walked after dinner most often, but when I’d get the opportunity I would walk earlier in the day.  My walking route is around my neighborhood or along the Lake Michigan shoreline… but when my kids were younger and had to be at football, softball, soccer practice, etc., my walking route was the high school track!  Nothing stopped me from taking my daily walk… I was going to end my obesity and walking was the key to doing so!

And I walk every day, still to the present day!  Why wouldn’t I?  It makes me feel amazing, so much better than being morbidly obese, carrying around 162 extra lbs. on my body!  So, after learning how an exercise as simple as walking can create a weight loss such as mine… do you still despise the word “exercise”?  If so, let me know and I’ll help you realize that it really can be enjoyable!  Contact me below… I’m here for you ~ Jodi