Today my friend, Judy and I went to an actual store where you buy "special" shoes for walking/ running. ( who knew??)

Actually, I have been known in the past to claim an allergy to exercising. I have watched friends of mine be quite athletic and thought to myself "I wonder when the time will come when I feel the need to start treating myself better and exercise?"
Knowing that whenever this time was, it would probably spell the end of all the things I hold dear to my heart like; eating yummy, fat-filled, creamy or chocolatey foods, sleeping past 5 a.m., breads of all shapes and sizes, etc., I held it off as long as I possibly could.

Well, it became apparent that 2007, my 37th year on this earth, was the year when my body was starting to scout out the perfect way to betray me. I weighed more than when I delivered my first baby, my muscles and bones were always aching, I was always tired, and I actually became interested in the PREVENTION magazines that my thoughtful father had been gifting me with for three years. I started to notice a definate difference in my stamina, how I slept, and my ability to control my body---I FELT OLD!!! So in January I decided I would start to use my 7-year old ( but practically new if you know what I mean) treadmill and walk three days a week.

Now, I realize that this is a minute step in the road to a healthy body, but I know myself well enough to not set myself up for failure by trying to do it all at once, also, I don't want to send my body into permanent shock by attacking too many healthy changes at once! So, I walk my 2-3 miles three times a week (I've only missed once for a twisted neck injury) even braving 39 degree sleet at the track one night, having great conversations with friends and sleeping better than I have in a long while. I'm sure I will add new, healthy behaviors eventually, although I vow to never completly cut out all sweets, and in hopes that I have created a new, good habit for myself, I bought a pair of really good walking/running shoes. My commitment to this new me is measured by the fact that all my other shoes combined didn't add up to the cost of these little babies!

So, here's to all my inspiring friends (you know who you are) and really expensive shoes!!