the sceptic has learned her lesson....

Being relatively athletic during my youth I always felt walking was something I did to keep my dog happy rather than keeping me fit.  I was proven so wrong.  For a few years, time was always an issue and I substituted doing the 40 minutes around our lake for 15 minutes here and there when time allowed.  I was still very active physically, replacing athletic activities with construction renovations and yard work but both the dog and I suffered the consequences.  The pounds just kept creeping up until I hit my low point of 170 pounds on my 5'7 1/2" frame.  Everybody said I carried it well and didn’t need to diet, but I didn’t like what I saw in the mirror and in pictures so I finally decided to do something about it.  I have always been a believer in the South Beach Diet philosophy as it makes sense scientifically.  I love to cook and the recipes are delicious which is very important to me as I love food, not quantity but quality.  Of course despite owning 3 of the cook books, I only followed the regime sporadically.   I'm still not a 100% follower but I have lost 12 pounds already.  They have been coming off for two reasons.  One, I try to stick the basics of the program which is eating the right foods, but the biggest change is that I now walk every day. I have been slowly introducing a slow jog as part of my routine.  Walk/Jog/Walk.  Not only is my beautiful golden retriever “Hunter” much happier, I am too. I have energy and feel rejuvenated.  Another big change is that try to do it first thing in the morning before my normally crazy days start and get in the way........I am learning, that my health should be my number one priority, without it,  how could I possibly accomplish all my other tasks.  The sceptic has learned her lesson....