After seeing a co-worker post about her progress with the Couch to 5K program, and then hearing/reading others mention it as well, I was inspired to check this program out. You can check it out for yourself at http://www.c25k.com. Yesterday I decided to get started with it.
I did have to do some modifying. Per doctors instructions, I am not supposed to run, I can walk, no problem, but running is out because it's too high impact for my hip joint. (probably all the other leg joints too.) So if anybody is familiar with the Walk at Home program by Leslie Sansone, that's sort of how I tailored it. Instead of the actual walking/running outside, I downloaded the Podrunner Intervals: First Day to 5K podcasts and used that to know when to run and walk. But I did download the Robert Ullrey's podcast (on the c25k page) just to have a variety, but I did the walking/running in the same style as the Walk at Home program. I was able to do the running part because the livingroom floor has more give to it, and the way that you jog in place like that is easier on your joints. Amazingly, I was able to make it through without feeling like I was going to die! That's something for me! LOL!
For all you Pooch lovers there is also another website listed on the C25K page called "Pooch to 5K" that helps you to condition your dog as well. I was very happy to see that because my baby girl (not so much a baby as a senior) really needs to get into shape as well. Even though I'm not supposed to, I tried today to do the routine outside this morning....long story short, we only got through the first part of it because it was SOOO humid outside (both my dog and I have asthma which gets worse in humidity) and lets just say that on a very foggy morning when nobody is around...a graveyard is not a place I want to be when I've forgotten to take my cell phone along with me...CREEPY! Every single murder mystery book I've read was playing out in my head! Anyway, even with just that little bit of exercise, she (my dog, Chloe) was POOPED! This is her after that walk outside:
I did do the entire routine in my livingroom when I got home, so all is well. My cousin Mae told me I should take "before" pics so I can see my progress, herein lies the reason I'm not sure I'll post this on Facebook....I HATE taking pictures of myself, I don't like to look at them because I am disgusted with what I see. But, maybe that will help with my motivation, so.....be sure you're sitting down and you don't have any food....here are my before pics:
