Turning my walk into a run. And my buns into smaller buns.

I’m not a “runner”.  I can run about 2 miles and that’s all.  It does hurt my knees a tad but I have realized that I’ve been running the wrong way, actually.

Anyway, all of that to say:  I’m starting a new fitness plan in just over 2 weeks   I’m so looking forward to it!  I am back into my pre-pregnancy clothes as of tonight (not this morning, but tonight.  Odd how that is) and I’m ready to get going!

I’ve been a size 12 since I can remember — at least since 1996.  The good thing is that I’ve never really wandered off of that path.  I’ve teetered in between a 12-14, but mostly I would feel my 12’s start to get tight and I’d watch what I ate so that I could not have to buy new clothes and be slightly comfortable with myself.

Well, the truth is that I haven’t been comfortable with myself in a while (weight wise).  I realize that I’m not obese or what some people may call fat.  I really realize that.  This post is not some tricky way to draw attention to myself, either.  I am not in shape and haven’t been in a long time.  I’d like to feel better.  Period.  I’d like to be healthier.  Being tall has given me an advantage and that’s nice.  I am evenly proportioned.  That’s nice, too.  Evenly proportioned in that my big hips match my big arms and my big waistline matches my big chest.  It’s all lovely.  And proportioned.

So, this proportioned and slightly overweight girl is getting healthy and here is how I am starting:

http://www.prevention.com/cda/article/turn-your-walk-into-a-run-and-drop-a-size-in-4-weeks/1b52700d2a381210VgnVCM10000013281eac____/news.voices/in.the.magazine/july.2009.issue/

Here is the full article from Prevention Magazine (and I can’t WAIT to post results and pictures. )

Turn Your Walk Into a Run…and Drop a Size in 4 Weeks

By Marianne McGinnis , Marianne McGinnis is a former Prevention associate editor.

We know you love walking– and we do too! It’s one of the best ways to stay healthy and keep your waistline in check. But when you’re short on time (and who isn’t?) or stuck on a plateau, running is another do-anywhere, no-equipment-required alternative that ramps up weight loss.

Adding even a few minutes into your walks can build stronger bones and cut your exercise time nearly in half: Minute for minute, running burns about twice as many calories as walking.

But if you think you’re too old or too out of shape or that running will damage your knees (research shows it won’t), don’t take it from us. Take it from the 46-to 67-year-old women who tested our walk-to-run program: They saw pounds disappear as soon as the first week, and by 8 weeks, they had shaved up to 20 inches off their butts, thighs, waistlines, hips, and arms and dropped nearly 3 sizes–all without dieting! In fact, even those who didn’t lose much weight erased as many as 5 inches of belly fat.

Our 8-week plan is specifically designed to be safe for would-be runners over 40. You’ll gradually increase your running time, allowing your body to adjust without aches or strain, and perform targeted toning exercises and stretches to protect against injuries. And don’t be surprised if you become a convert– adults in one study who tried jogging reported enjoying their workouts 30% more than when they walked, possibly because running stimulates more good-mood hormones in the brain, say researchers.

THE EXPERTS: Danny Dreyer, the author of Chi Running who specializes in teaching beginners how to run pain free, created the walk/run plan. Vonda Wright, MD, an orthopedic surgeon and author of Fitness After 40, designed the strength/stretching workout.

*Also, here is the 8 week plan:

http://www.prevention.com/july8weekplan/dl/PV0709RUNN_84spread.pdf

~ by bethyoung on June 30, 2009.