A Walking Miracle!

Today I walked 3.19 miles in 64 minutes. That isn't Olympic times, but I'm pretty pleased with my progress.

You see, I am the most unlikely person to be healthy - or to exercise! In fact, I am a walking miracle!

From the age of 7 I had chronic anemia and suffered with migraine headaches. I have had multiple bone/knee surgeries, chronic ankle sprains, severe hip joint pain, sciatic and debilitating back issues, gall bladder surgery...I could go on.  I have spent years in rehabilitation relearning how to walk. I am quite adept with every walking aid available: crutches, walkers, wheelchairs, canes, and my rehab required that I use a passive movement machine for nearly a year. I had a legal disability from the age of seven.

But, my disability never kept me from doing what I wanted to do! I am sometimes amazed that I have traveled around the world and done the things I have done - even with my health issues.

I always worked hard to come back from each surgery...

To be able to get from disabled to well - walking independently - took personal determination and faith that God was healing me. 

The past 20 years, I have had stroke-level high blood pressure, hypo-thyroidism, and severe acid reflux - all of which required daily medications (4 to be exact), as well as digestive issues. My
inability to process and digest foods properly was creating a health crisis.

Healthy Turnaround

I knew I had to do something drastic, so, I started with a 21-day juice fast.  After doing some research I came off the fast and completely changed my diet. I started eating more lacto-fermented foods, more organic fruits and vegetables, more juices, organic beef and liver, organic dairy, bone broths...all in very, very small portions. I eat about 5 small meals a day and stop eating or drinking juices after 6:00 pm. I added walking to my daily routine - generally 6-7 days a week.

What happened next completely surprised me! My high blood pressure dropped to normal!! I had no more acid reflux problems! So I was able to go off of 3 of my 4 medications! I discovered on the days I did not walk however, up went my blood pressure! So, I decided that walking was much more preferable to taking 2 pills a day.

I presently am on a personal campaign to make sure that I stay healthy - inside and out - and walking is one of the most important elements to add to a nutritious diet. I have to push through pains of exercise that I feel here and there (who doesn't?), but the end result is satisfaction that I have done something terrific for my overall health. I like to feel the fat turn to muscle too I have to say! It's true what they say...a leaner body is a healthier body. I feel healthier.

With every step I take around my neighborhood, I thank God that I can walk! There were years when I wondered if I would ever walk again. I want to keep my ability by walking daily and not create a disability with inactivity. you know the old saying:

 "Use it or lose it." 

It is not easy for me though, but I am encouraged every single day by how I feel overall and I do not focus on the aches and pains here and there. There are some days when the pain in my back or legs is terrible...but I walk anyway...just not a power walk.

An Action Plan

I've discovered that you really have decide what exercise works for you and then put together an action plan. It is fun to be inspired by other people's stories online through social networks or YouTube. I often will be inspired by a video I see and I say "I can do that!"

Walking App

Another thing is to get a good walking app for your smartphone. I just did this recently and discovered that it made a huge difference. I could see what I was doing: how far I had walked, how long I had been walking, how many calories I was burning, etc. All of this was a motivator to actually press through when I felt a little weary saying to myself, "make it to the next block!" So that has been a great little motivator in my hand. I also listen to my music while I am walking and so I have inspiration. Sometimes I will take my MP3 language lessons along (I am learning Egyptian Arabic).

You Can Do This!!

I share this with you because I had a list of excuses as to why I could not exercise. Mostly it was because of pain!!! I say, start slow!! Years ago I purchased a DVD so I could walk a mile right in my living room. If you cannot walk outside, I suggest you do that.

Also there are some great free videos online for doing upper body and lower body toning without having to walk. And, there is swimming. Seriously...there is no excuse!!

I hope you are inspired by my story. I pray that God will help you today doing something that will be the first step in the right direction for your health!