Jon Stanton

OH WHAT A BEAUTIFUL MORNING!!! Pardon me while I have an "Oklahoma" moment...LOL. Seriously, is this not the most beautiful day? Sun, warmth, and wind - it's like a touch of Florida in the heart of the industrial Midwest. Gotta love it!

Saturday morning was just like this morning, and I had the opportunity to run/jog/walk in my first 5K of the season. I did a couple of 5K's last  year, but they were "walking only" events for me because at that time I could not run at all. However, I've been gradually incorporating small amounts of running in my walking routines, and I decided that this season, I was going to include it in my 5Ks and see how I did. Well, I'm proud to say that I finished in just over 30 minutes, which was more than 15 minutes faster than the last 5K I completed in 2008! That also means I was averaging right around a 10-minute mile, which is a good pace for someone who is still far from cross-country material! Above all - it was a wonderful and motivating experience! I would have never dreamed 2 years ago that I would be anywhere near a 5K race, much less actually participating in one. Losing 230 pounds has changed my life radically, and so far - it's all been for the better!

Speaking of exercise, one of the key components of my weight-loss success has been my ability to walk each day at work. I typically leave for 30-45 minutes and do a 2-3 mile loop in downtown Lansing. I realize not everyone has this kind of flexibility at their job, but one of the things I've decided to make a soapbox whenever I have a chance is the importance of incorporating exercise - no matter how brief - into your daily routine. Most jobs allow some kind of break during the day, and what better time to squeeze in some "fitness" than during that break time? It doesn't have to be long - even 10 minutes of fast walking will burn several calories and contribute to muscle tone. So why not give it a shot?

In fact, this coming Wednesday, April 29, would be a great day to start, because it is National Walk at Work Day. I will be at the Blue Cross Blue Shield headquarters in Lansing that day motivating their employees to establish a walking routine on a daily basis at work. Why don't you do the same? If your boss doesn't seem to think much of the idea, just remind him/her that exercise improves productivity, and is well worth the investment! So get out there and walk. The improvements in your life will rock your world, just like they have mine!