Little Things Matter

I am learning to find little ways to increase my activity and raise my self esteem.  As hard as it is to spend time on myself, I must admit that I feel good when I do good things for me.  I have to remember these things when I feel down.  I'm realizing there are little things I can do to make a difference.  For example, I walk to work a few times during the week.  I throw (or gently place!) my laptop in a backpack, add my lunch, water, snacks, and any paperwork I need.  Squeeze in a cute pair of shoes and I'm out the door.  Today I started down the road and thought, "This backpack is kinda heavy; maybe I should just drive."  Then I remembered that I've recently lost 40 pounds and my backpack is much less than that so I can handle this!  As I walked the 15 minute journey to the office, I remembered the first time I took this trip.  About a year ago, I walked it one time with my daughter.  I had not even made it half way before my back was hurting and I was exhausted.  Now I can walk the whole thing.  Sometimes I walk home to!!  I am blessed with an awesome husband that picks me up when I don't want to make the return trip, but thed important thing is to find little things that will increase your dailt activity.  Here are some of the changes I've made:

I park at the end of the parking lot at Wal Mart.  No more circling around looking for close spots.  (This is probably faster anyway!!)  Sometimes I will jog to the entrance to for some added exercise.  I try to walk faster while I'm in the store.  I work on holding my stomach muscles and core tight while I'm at work.  Even though I sit most of the time, I can add to my health my squeezing those muscles!  I take the stairs instead of the elevator.  I know, I know, we've heard that before, but it works!  Not long ago, I could not walk up one flight of stairs without being extremely out of breath.  Now I make it up with no problem.  And I'm still considered morbidly obese!!  Trust me, your heart will respond to any attempts to strengthen it - regardless of how big you are.  Now PLEASE if you have health problems - seek the advise of a doctor or get their opinion on anything I tell you - just to be safe.  So, if you get up one flight of stairs and need to use the bathroom (to hide while you catch your breath so no one will see how bad it is!) just remember this.  Everytime you do that, every time you push through - you are stepping closer to the day when you will make that climb and still be able to breathe normally!  And you will be shouting on the inside when you realize it has happened!

So what small differences have you made to increase your activity?  Share your ideas . . .