We are like soldiers going to battle. Each with determined looks and clutched fists reaching out ... reaching out to power and confidence. I hear our feet in sync as we march up the hill. We are a force together fighting the enemy.
It all started about three months ago when my husband Jim and I moved to this lovely and scenic community in Florida. It is surrounded by a beautiful Scottish golf course that is named Scotland Yards.
At our first homeowner’s meeting, Diane came to me and introduced herself. She made me feel most welcome as we chatted about various opportunities in the community, such as writing classes, art, water aerobics, cards, and more. Then, on a last note, she said that I was welcome to join her walking group. They start off at 6:30 a.m. and they would be passing my house about 6:45 a.m. The last thing I wanted to do was walk. It had become boring and isolating in the past, as I would walk through a park that was adjacent to our subdivision in Palm Harbor, Fl. However, I was shocked to hear myself say, “oh, yes, I will be there.” (Prior to this, I was staying up half the night and sleeping until 8:30 a.m. or 9:00 a.m.)
Reluctantly and with much will power, I shocked Jim almost into cardiac arrest, as I arose at 5:30 a.m. I made coffee and toast as I tried to work out a story in my mind as to why I could not continue to walk after today. When I bent down to tie my sneakers, I winced at the extra spare tire that had accumulated around my waist. Surely, I could lose this weight on my own and without getting up at daybreak, I told myself.
Nevertheless, as I peered out my glass door, I could see the troops coming. I hurried out to meet them and pasted a smile on my face. There were about five of them. They were laughing, talking, and most of all walking briskly as I strived to keep up the pace. Just as I was getting used to the pace, we started up this big, long hill. I then realized that this hill was the reason the subdivision was called “The Highlands of Scotland Yards.” I struggled, trying not to let the others hear me gasp for breath. How did I get so out of shape? Wasn’t it just a couple of years ago that I was teaching exercise classes and water aerobics. Now, I wouldn’t want to even get in front of a group of people with my expanding body ... that was fifteen or twenty pounds ago.
The doctor had warned me that when I went on the prescribed medication, I would probably gain up to thirty pounds. “Watch the carbs,” she said, as she scribbled on the pad. That was easy for her to say. I craved cards and ate carbs and gradually the weight came on. Since then, I had tried the South Beach Diet, and my own diet schemes to no avail.
Oh, did I mention that this group invited me to go to Weight Watchers? I again said, “sure,” as I thought to myself that this would be a good way to get acquainted with the other women. I could always drop out after a couple of weeks. I didn’t really think I could be helped. I thought I was doomed to carry around this unwanted weight.
After the second day of walking my legs were so sore ... every step I took was sheer agony. I mentioned this to the girls. Debbie suggested I go to the gym for the bike work out. She was sure it would work the soreness out. I am thinking to myself “what have I got myself into? Now, I have to go to the gym, too? Ugh!”
