Happy Monday everyone Sorry I didn't get this up last night, dh has been hogging the computer to get his student reports and grades done

How was everyone's weekend? We had great weather here, sunny and warm. We were also super busy, so we did our daily 20 minute walks as a family and I got out for one 4 mile walk. Not bad considering I was barely home! I'm loving my pedometer, even on the day I only took one 20 minute walk, I made it to 10,000 steps. I'm having fun challenging myself to find new ways to get more steps in.

I really enjoyed last week's thread and how everyone checked in when they felt like it and had something exciting (or frustrating!) to share. I know that those posts helped to keep me motivated through the week and I think it's important we consistently support each other.

Week 2 Challenge: Tracking distance
Now that we have found that we can fit walking into our lives every day, I'd like you to start looking at how far you are walking. I used to do this by getting in the car and driving my walking route (the best I could), not too accurate but it gave me a general idea. I've recently started using an online route pedometer, just zoom in on your walking area and map a route, it tells you how long the route is.
Google Map Pedometer: Use This GMaps Pedometer to Draw Your Walking, Running, or Biking Route
So, find out how long your walking route(s) is and start writing down how far you walked in miles each day. If you have been recording your steps, just keep track of both. It does not matter how far you are going, if you find that your route is 1/2 mile, that's perfectly fine. The point of this is to learn to track your distance, we will add distance on to your route starting next week, so you can start pushing yourself a little harder. If you feel you are ready to add on a little distance and time this week, go ahead, just keep it in small increments (like 1/4 mile at a time).
Also, do not concern yourself with speed yet. At this point it doesn't matter how far you are getting in 20 minutes, that is something we will work on in the weeks to come after you build your stamina and distance.

I need to get off the computer again, I have to proof dh's reports. I'll check in later when he leaves. I'm looking forward to hearing from all of you!
Happy Walking,
Elizabeth

Thanks ELizabeth!

I also wanted to add I have used Introduction to WalkJogRun to map out routes for me to walk and it gives the distance. I find that you have to mark lots of small lines in order for it to be more accurate. Otherwise you get a start point, a finish point and a straight line connecting them across homes or businesses or trees . We don't want the shortest distance when tracking our steps .

I did buy a pedometer, but it was really sensitive (I even turned it down). It gave me two or more steps for every one. Plus it wouldn't clip to my shoe - only my waist. I'll get one later today.

My motivation this morning was to be able to log on and say I did walk this morning. We got home late last night from our river trip. I stretched and drank water before I even left the house. Unfortunately my walking partner never showed at 5 AM (and she cancelled twice last week). Since it isn't safe to walk alone in the dark (even with my reflector straps I bought) I came home to let my hubby know I was walking the neighborhood by myself (it was light by then). I walked for about an hour.

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I have not walked today. It's been raining off and on all day. I hope it will let me out tonight. I can walk in the rain and probably should had this morning but I really can't justify taking the kids out for a long walk in the rain. Hopefully tonight.

I didn't walk yesterday either (Sunday) it was storming then!

On Saturday I walked a mile and a half. At least according to the dam tour that we took. I kept wishing I had my pedometer that day!

Also I was very pleased with my weigh in today! Of course I made cookies yesterday so who knows how long that will stay!

I did pretty good with the walks last week. I did make it everyday except for Friday and Saturday when it was raining/storming. It let up yesterday just long enough for a 15 min walk, but hey, thats better than nothing! I'm thinking I got a crappy pedometer though. It doesn't register half the steps I take, or it will count 3 or 4 for one step. Maybe I'll be able to come up with some extra money in a week or so and try another one. The good thing about it is that it does show mileage also, so I can keep track of what it is counting!

Thanks for your responses ladies It sounds like you're hanging in there. If you are walking more days than not, then you are a success!
Anyone else?
I need to head out after dinner for another 20 minute walk today. Ds and I walked to the park this morning, but it was slow, he kept stopping to pick up leaves, and I actually had to carry him up the hill on the way home. I guess I got some upper body work too

Another bad weather day! I'm hoping that it clears up this afternoon ... of course I did that yesterday and the afternoon was even worse!

I'd love to say I've been good about this, but its SO stinkin' hot right now. I get home from work and collapse. I work in a hot kitchen all day where I'm on my feet. We did walk downtown the other day, but it was too hot to walk back so I called dh to come get us. LOL Pathetic I know it. LOL I wanted to walk last night to the ball field for Meghan's game, but we were running a bit late, plus it was 96, WAY too hot for that.

the weather is supposed to break today, and it will ONLY be 87 tommorrow. LOL I'm hoping to get in a walk to the library with Cameron.

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~Missy~Mommy
Meghan8.Samantha7,Cameron4

We did manage to get a small walk in last night but it turned out so cold that I ended up calling my husband to come and get us. My hands were cold and I can only imagine what my daughter's little hands must of felt like.

Today it is supposed to be a bit warmer and I hope to do more.

I have been doing an hour on the treadmil everyday I moved it from my bedroom into the living room, so after I put the kids to bed at night I hop on while watching tv.

I believe our rainy / snowy / cold weather is going to break tomorrow! I will start again. This week the weather has just been too miserable. Such a bummer as I was doing so well last week.

How is everyone else doing?