I am desperately looking for support because I am feeling stagnant and need help to avoid the pull back to the couch.....I am 42 yo Mom of seven, average weight but chubby around the middle and softer all around than I need to be. I had some health problems a few years ago but was pretty active before that with hiking, biking, walking, swimming, but not sustained workouts, and no running. When I felt my health return to the point where I knew it was now mostly a couch potato problem...I started researching what I wanted to do in order to make a lifelong commitment to fitness. Honestly, I do not enjoy running longer than a few minutes at a time so far, but I want to enjoy it longer. I have been walking for the last six months but it is not satisfying enough so I am hoping with support I can figure out what will help me feel excited about getting more fit. A point to note...I am committed to barefoot running almost exclusively with minimalist shoes for everday wear, and maybe in the winter. But no more heels for me or ouchy 'supportive' shoes. So I am looking especially for support from those who are experienced barefooters. However, since my general fitness needs help all around, I welcome any advice for hydration, drills, eating etc.
I have been walking barefoot 4-6 months everyday, not more than 2.5 miles at a time. but often 2 or even 3 times per day. My feet feel great except for a slight crampy feeling sometimes in the area between my middle and fourth toe where I dropped a grain mill (stone) on it about 10-12 years ago. My concern is making sure I don't aggravate that old injury long term. Also, I want help manage my discouragement which may be coming from the fact that I expected to feel less....clunky... by now. I have been reading books, bending knees, relaxing etc. The most fun I have is when I am with my children, and I stop overthinking things but then, I worry I forget to watch my form with them around too. My favorite part of every day is at the end of our walk/run trail there is a dirt bike trail that we have groomed (weeded, removed sticks and stickers) a bit to make it safer for us to run up and around the dirt track and leaping over small hills etc. Problem is, I have to be really careful not to overdo it. But I have alot of fun. No way to measure if I am doing it 'right' except that I don't do it very long and so far haven't had any pain. But the rest of my training is getting boring and I am feeling less and less like going out every day. Heat is hitting our area but I am up early so it shouldn't be an excuse but I am delaying sometimes until it becomes that. So I am reaching out to help get momentum back again.
Thanks!