Morning Walks – My BodiBuddie Story
by JeriOur bodies need buddies.
When we have made a deal to work out with a friend that commitment becomes more than just a work out. It translates in to an action of self pride and being able to follow through with keeping your word with others. You can’t be a slacker because it will be known and you just won’t let that happen!
This is my story of becoming a BodiBuddie.
Approximately four months ago my husband and I were across the street at a neighborhood party. I was having a conversation with Flo, our next door neighbor, and as often is the case with my social interactions, we started to talk about working out. Flo, now in her 50’s who a few years ago trained and participated in marathons, was now getting up at 5:30 am to power walk with hand weights around the neighborhood before she left for work at 7:30. Not being an early riser myself, I was particularly complimentary of her efforts and praised them with a kind of awe and respect. Then she said, ‘Hey Jeri, why don’t you join me. That would be really fun to have someone to walk with.’ My first thought was, you’ve got to be kidding! Then I listened in complete shock to my reply as the words came rolling out of my mouth ,‘ Sure. I’ll do that with you.’
So I did it. I made that deal to show up to work out with another woman and my self worth was on the line. But this time it was not at 5:30 pm it was at 5:30 am…big difference to my usual routine. And it was still a chilly winter season and pitch black at 5:30 am.
Monday, the day of the big commitment meant preparing the night before: set my alarm on my cell phone, lay out the gear…I had decided to go for maximum slimming and cellulite reduction benefits by layering to increase heat for fat burning: CelluliteRx Step 2, micro massage compression shorts, tights, nylon pants..then scarf, knit cap, gloves, thick jacket…hand weights…shoes. OK…now try to fall asleep before 10:00.
Ring…ring…What’s that? I fumbled to try and answer the phone on the night stand and realized after coming conscious to some degree that it was my cell phone alarm. Oh my God! My eyes felt like they had sand bags tied to the upper lids. I laid in bed for 5 minutes wondering how in the hell I did this to myself! But, I had no choice. I am a woman of my word. Shit!
I stumbled in to the bathroom splashed cold water on my face, brushed my teeth, pulled my hair back into a pony tail and tried to not wake up my husband as I creamed my thighs and stomach with CelluliteRx, pulled on the 3 layers of clothing…got on the cap, scarf, gloves..shoes..did some leg stretches in the living room and then quietly slipped out the front door in to another world that was unfamiliar, uninviting, but was the course that I had chosen to enter for my health and to back up my buddie, Flo. I shivered and started walking…
And I am still walking 4 months later. Waking up at 5:30 am continues to be a challenge but I’m not getting back in bed after the walk like I used to in the beginning. Rather I’m discovering I have the quiet of the morning hours to meditate and more time in the day to get things done. I am also realizing muscle tone in my arms, slimming and less cellulite, even from just a 30 minute walk, which I didn’t expect.
A couple of weeks ago I invited my husband to join us. He is an early riser so why not? Now we are all BodiBuddies. You’ll find us up at dawn walking, sharing our lives and watching out for the garbage trucks on Tuesdays. The mornings are now warmer and brighter as we head in to spring and our mutual work outs have bonded us together.
For me, what I am learning about being a BodiBuddie is that we all can help one another if we just make that choice, follow through and then recognize the benefits to not only our bodies but to our relationships.