[intendepods]

Most of you know my weight loss progress and my committment to the WOE.

However, I have not participated much in the discussion of excercise. Before Atkins, I rarely excercised outside of necessity or entertainment. For example, I love participating in any type of game or sport and will join in when there's an opportunity. But I rarely would visit a gym and excercise for the sake of exercise.

That changed when I started Atkins this past March and I started taking advantage of my company's fitness center (nicer than most health clubs I've seen on occaision). I have been regularly working out, alternating weight training and cardio. I have come to enjoy this odd contraption called a treadmill.

Previously, I would laugh at the poor souls that tortured themselves running/walking and getting nowhere. "Just go outside," I thought to myself.

Well, I began using this treadmill and walking and walking and walking. I could not bring myself to run. I hate running. I hated running in gym class back in my high school days. I hate running, period. Running in a football game? That's different, there was a purpose. Kill the opponent. Running after the ice cream man as he passes your house? Again, purpose.

Back to the treadmill (whew, the ice cream man! How do I love a man in uniform....ahem..sorry), I have progressed and walked through all the computerized levels one can on these treadmills, so I bumped it up to the next level which at some point, shhhh!...(whispers) involved running.

Wow, I handled it. "Next level please", more and more running.

Now I'm a running fool. Its actually fun! I'm even considering a mini-marathon or such, some day! Forest Gump be damned, I like to run! Did you hear me? I Like To Run!

Yesterday, I weighed in and reported on my progress thread that it was my first Zero loss. I didn't report this, but I was devastated. I was depressed all day yesterday and this morning. Why did this happen? I did not cheat, Continued my workouts. Everything is going great. "Why?" Sure, I know and read that this happens to others sometimes. It just happens. But it never happened to Murv 'til now. And I couldn't handle it.

But, I just realized something as I stepped off that sleek, black monster treadmill. Yeah, no loss this week. But I just ran 2 miles. Look, It says it right there in all its digital glory! Again, this is profound. Say it along with me. "I just ran 2 miles!" Nonstop. How cool is that? How healthy is that? Go ahead, give me another zero loss this week! I don't care! I'm not gonna cheat! I'm healthier! I'm slimmer! I'll lose the next week. Or the next. In fact, I just ran 2 miles! I never ran that far for the ice cream man! (well, he stops just 1 block away).

Bottom line, and its been said here before. I've read it. I just didn't take it to heart. Don't live and die by the scale. There are other measurements of progress to consider. Mine you ask? Well this week, it measured 2 miles.