Just A WALK

Losing weight is often associated with gruelling workouts at the gym and strict diets, but my journey took a different path—one that started with a simple walk on Valentine’s Day of 2022.  At that time, I wasn’t looking to transform my life; I simply wanted to do something positive for myself.

I remember that first walk vividly.  With a pace of 15 minutes per kilometre, I managed to cover just 1 kilometre.  It wasn’t much, but it was a start.  Little did I know, that single kilometre would mark the beginning of a transformative journey.

The key to my success wasn’t about dramatic changes or extreme measures.  It was about consistency and incremental progress.  Every day, I set out with the goal of surpassing the previous day, even if it was just by a small margin.  Whether it was increasing my pace by a few seconds per kilometre or adding an extra 0.1 kilometres to my distance, I embraced every improvement as a victory.

Walking became my daily ritual, a time I cherished for reflection and physical exertion.  The beauty of walking is its accessibility—no expensive equipment or memberships required, just a pair of comfortable shoes and the open road or fields in my case.

As weeks turned into months, I noticed subtle changes.  My stamina improved, and the weight began to melt away.  What started as a leisurely stroll evolved into brisk walks and eventually jogging.  I set new milestones for myself, gradually increasing my distance and challenging my pace.

Beyond the physical benefits, walking had a profound impact on my mental well-being.  It became my time to disconnect from the stresses of daily life, to clear my mind, and to reconnect with myself.  The rhythm of my footsteps became a source of peace and clarity.

Of course, walking alone wasn’t the only factor in my weight loss journey.  I made mindful choices about my diet, opting for nutritious meals and controlling portion sizes but didn’t cut out all of the goodies I loved for so long.  Robinsons was always my beverage of choice, and I learned to listen to my body’s hunger signals rather than mindless cravings.

I didn’t tell anyone that I was doing this until I had got 4 stone down in the journey.  I had to do this myself.  There was no-one that would hold me accountable more than my health would.

Now, more than two years later, I look back on that Valentine’s Day walk with gratitude.  What started as a modest endeavour has transformed into a lifestyle—one cantered around movement, mindfulness, and self-care.  I no longer dread physical activity; instead, I embrace it as an integral part of my day.

For anyone hesitant to start their own fitness journey, I offer this advice: begin with a single step, quite literally.  Whether it’s a walk around your neighbourhood or a stroll in the park, every journey begins with that first stride.  Celebrate your progress, no matter how small, and trust in the power of consistency.  You may be surprised at how far those small steps can take you.

My favourite quote around consistency sits proudly on the home page of my website.

“Without commitment, you’ll never start, but more importantly, without consistency, you’ll never finish.”

So, headphones in, and off you go! What’s stopping you?

Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash