From the article: Top 10 Ways to Motivate Yourself to Walk
If you have been laid off or had your work hours reduced, how has that affected your walking and fitness program? Are you exercising and walking more or less due to being laid off? Did the lay-off take away exercise motivation or give you time to concentrate on your fitness program? Share Your Story
Waiting to be hired!!!
- After being laid off in February I have all the time in the world to get back in shape and no reasons to stay home, except for when I have a interview scheduled. I am trying to turn my layoff into a positive situation!
- —Guest Kat
Getting Back into Shape over 50
- I got laid off some time back from a large MNC after 13 years with them.It hurt a lot and I felt cheated. But then I thought that this was a great time to get into shape.I walk 10 kms a day now and am much more hopeful of the furure.
- —Guest KB
Hour Reductions Equal Pound Reductions
- I am not laid off but my hours have greatly been reduced due to the tumbling economy. I am a phlebotomist for the American Red Cross and with everyone losing their insurance because of the current situation elective surgery is being put on hold. Therefore blood isn't on high demand from many hospitals. I have found my days off, which now is three per week a great time to kick off a fitness trend as well as work off those unwanted pounds. I've lost 6 pounds alone in the past 5 weeks, as I walk 5-8 miles per day (Even On The Days I Work). The local park which has a beautiful nature trail is a great way to spend my off days. I may be at a loss financially but there is no 'gain' as far as holding on to those extra pounds. I have weighed 220 lbs at my heaviest and now Im at 147 lbs on my way to my goal of 135. Often I have felt depressed about the situation of our finances but walking is excellent therapy especially in the morning hours. Best of luck to you all.
- —Guest ARCPhlebotomist
Walking Iis a GIFT you give yourself
- Yes, I'm one of the 600,000 who are trying to find employment. I have been seeking a position since January. I live alone and fill my days online trying to connect with HR that I am a great person who would love to have a job! When I have had enough searching on line, I put my walking shoes and go to my wonderful greenway through the woods (2 miles). When I return I can face the day and have a warm feeling of hope. When you feel like this will never end, just take that walk and know that tomorrow you could get that call that someone found you who knows your worth and how great you are!
- —susanhays7
Can't buy new walking shoes now
- Good walking shoes are expensive, and I can't afford them anymore. Bought some cheap ones at a Target Store, and they wore out after two weeks. So I dug into my closet and started wearing my old Army boots. They still fit! But they're really heavy and clunky and they chafe my heels and toes. Shoe insert tech has come a long way since I wore these at Fort Benning, so I'm able to make do. But the boots have rubbed holes in my sox and I'm running out of boot-length sox. I dug out my Army sewing kit and am dusting off my sewing skills. Problem with darning sox is you create new seams and chafing spots that lead to blisters. Never really thought of sox as a budget item before, but I'm looking for the next sale. Boot polish too.
- —Guest Will G.
Seeing my house in the daylight
- 2 months ago, the small company I work for needed to reduce hours drastically or lay people off. 2 folks left (they were leaving anyway) and the rest of us have had a 33% reduction in hours and pay. I get to see what my house looks like in the weekday sun. To cut costs, we have been eating at home more. This translated into finishing our dinners earlier than we used to and now we go for walks each evening. It gives my partner and I more time to connect to each other, we're getting back into shape and I've lost 3 lbs! I'm not looking forward to going back to a 40-50 hour week - this is much nicer!
- —Guest Krista V.V.
Train for the Marathon
- A couple of years ago, my department needed to save money to meet our yearly budget. I needed more time off to train for the marathon and the Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk, but I hadn't wanted to ask for it and appear to be a slacker at work. This gave me a way to look good to the boss while taking extra time off. By taking off every Friday without pay, I was able to be a hero to my department and to have an extra day a week to do my walking training without family obligations. I also put the extra time into building my web site, which ultimately replaced the income reduction from my day job.
- —Guest WB
