Opening lines: I'm going to look and feel 10 years younger

From the July 2009 issue of Canadian Living. Subscribe to Canadian Living today and never miss an issue!

I've been telling myself that I'm fit and that I'm a fairly good eater – I even consider myself nutrition-conscious. I'm a firm believer in walking, and eating fruits and veggies, and I know it's important to drink plenty of water. But in all honesty, I don't like to walk if the temperature soars above 27 C – it's too hot for the dog. I do eat fruits and vegetables – but I admit I don't always meet my daily quota. And to be frank, I drink water only when I remember. Is it any wonder I'm feeling old and tired? Well, that's all about to change.

Our web editor, Jennifer Villamere, took up the online Boot Camp challenge earlier this year, and set fitness and weight-loss goals. I recall reading the first two sentences of the article that introduced her blog – "Canadian Living senior web editor Jennifer Villamere thinks exercise is stupid. She does not own a wardrobe of cute workout clothes" – and beginning to harbour some doubts about the likelihood of her success. There was no fitness equipment in her home, she dreaded the gym, plus she professed a fondness for beer and corn chips. Swap the beer for a glass of wine, and that could be me!

Well, several months later, I'm impressed and happy to say she's on target, halfway to meeting her weight-loss goal. And as Jennifer has said, if she can do it, so can I.

I now have a plan. Come Saturday, my grocery shopping day, I'm going to be on a whole new routine. I'll start by walking up to the grocery store (3 kilometres), where I'll purchase my fruits and veggies. Then I'll hike back home to get into the garden and dig up some weeds (that's good for 20 squats), after which I'll take Scooter for a walk (5 km). And carrying my short-legged puppy 4 km surely counts as a bicep curl, doesn't it?

When I get back home I'll have a 10-minute rest, during which I'll have another read of "Look & Feel 10 Years Younger," on page 63 of this issue. As a reward for my morning exercise, perhaps I'll chomp on a handful of pecans, which, as the article tells me, are good for my skin, hair and eyes.

I'll keep you updated on my progress through my column and in our online forums. If you feel like taking up the challenge, just read the story mentioned above and then go to the "Health and Wellness" section of www.canadianliving.com, where you'll find all the tools you need to get you started.

Hey, I feel better already!

Until next time.

– Susan Antonacci
susan@canadianliving.com

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