Getting Back in Shape - Treadmill.

 The right treadmill for you depends on a myriad of factors, but price should be only a minor factor, not a determining one. We all have things we really want, and if we want them badly enough, we'll find a way to make it happen. I used to have students who smoked but couldn't afford rent. OK, well, $10 a day for 30 days is $300, which would put a dent in that rent. Choices, priorities...we have them.

    So, last summer, when we moved from our apartment to our house, I wasn't thinking clearly, and I devastated both my hips and my knees by deciding (choice) to move much of what I owned on my own. Yes, Laura helped. Yes, I asked my son Jonathan to help, and he brought his nephew. They did the big stuff, but I did a tremendous amount of moving, shifting, lifting, pushing, pulling, and more, and in the end, my old body was wrecked!

    The summer and spring before that, I had walked anywhere from 3-5 miles a day, lifted weights, and gone to the gym across the street. I was fit, in shape, pretty happy about life, and not thinking that in a year I'd be both overweight and unable to physically move due to my knees and hips screaming at me when I tried. Now, today, about 11 months after the move, I'm finally to the point that I can make myself do a little more with the assistance of time, pain reliever, and prayer.

    I bought a row machine, but I quickly put it back in its box and shipped it off within 24 hours of it arriving on my porch. Nope, not going to even attempt that sort of nonsense. I didn't factor into the equation that I would need to get close to six inches off the ground to do the exercise. I can sit on a mat and stretch, but I struggle to balance on a seat, constantly pushing and pulling myself back and forth. I can, however, walk.

    Deciding to invest in a high-quality machine, rather than just any machine, I conducted thorough research and allowed Google's AI to assist in my decision-making process. I asked Google what the top at-home treadmills would cost and which ones had the better customer reviews. We settled on a Norditrac (I don't remember the model number) for around $700. Trust me, when I tell you, that's not a bad price for a good machine that will withstand the weight, the time, and the mission, and not fall apart within the first few weeks of use.

    This one has handrails and a display rack, so I can put my cell up and watch a show or YouTube videos while I'm working out..I say "working out", but really, I'm just walking. I am not pushing it yet. I can maintain an average pace for about 10 minutes.  I'm watching Tony Broonford walk through Edinburgh while I walk. Soon, I'll move up to watching Zach and Annie's 30-minute videos before being able to watch my pastor's 1-hour and 3-minute videos of Bible Study!  Who knew the Superior Word would end up being a life goal?

    After my first walk of the day, a 10-minute stroll with Tony, I wanted to stop by St. Giles and rest. There was no way I was going to be able to hike up the hill to see the Tattoo at the castle, nope. I could have and would have stopped off at the great church and just sat down to breathe. I'll be OK. My heart was racing; I was even stumbling a little while walking from the den to the kitchen to catch my breath. I have a long way to go, but I will get there.

    It will take a minute -- a minute at a time. One foot in front of the other, and one workout session before I rest and do it again. I think I can do three a day now, and then work myself into a pattern of a 10-minute morning walk, a 30-minute afternoon, and a 15-minute evening walk.  At the pace I walk, I should be able to complete a mile in about 28 minutes, allowing me to get in two miles a day. When I get better and healthier, I'll walk (briskly) three miles.

    For now, I'm moving, getting my hips loosened and my knees warmed up. I feel drained and exhausted, but in a good way. I'm drinking water, I'm pushing myself, and soon I'll see the difference in the way my clothes fit. That will be the beginning of the new me. I'll smile more, I'm sure. For now, I'm going to sit, rest, write, and think about the next walking session.

Photo Credit: Amazon.com