Gratitude Monday: Consistent, not complacent

I’ve been doing a lot of exercise since around December. Either at the gym or—now that the daylight starts earlier—out on local trails. Nothing complicated—walking, mostly, with a bit of a trot thrown in if my knees give me permission.

I’ve noticed that I feel better in general, not only from the exercise, but also because I’m actually doing it. & for that latter blessing, I have Penelope Thompson to thank.

Penelope was my personal trainer when I was going through a fitness program at a health club in Seattle. She & the program were among the very few worthwhile things from my stay there. She was the perfect trainer—understanding my starting point, & blocking out a steady path to my goal. I met with her three times per week for 12 weeks, & then twice a week for 12 weeks. I got to know & hate & then love the stepmill; ditto the BOSU ball. She had me doing about six kinds of crunches & working my way through a phalanx of futuristic machines.

She kept me interested, encouraged me, praised me & prodded me. She kept me from being crabby; & let me say this: I can crab for Cal. She was perfect.

So when I started thinking about getting back in shape after the past three years of crap, I harkened back to Penelope. I’m walking—although I do it at a good clip: 4.9 mph straight walking on the treadmill; 5.2 mph average when I layer in the trot. & I walk between a 13-minute & 14-minute mile when out on the trails.

Here’s the key for me, which Penelope taught me: I’m consistent, but not complacent. Getting out & starting it each morning is about 70% of the accomplishment; once I’m out, I’ll finish, 40-60 minutes. I began with about 30 minutes per day in December, so I’ve progressed. When my knees allow, each day I trot for a couple of minutes more than the day before. I pay attention. & for me, that’s huge.

So as I clock off another weight milestone and enjoying getting back into some of my clothes, I’m thinking a lot about Penelope. ¡Muchas gracias, mi hija!