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I walked 2.29 miles to work today, according to walkjogrun.net, from Edgewood Northeast Washington DC to Chinatown. And i am fat. Not chubby, husky, Rubenesque. Fat. Not Phat, Fat.

So it's really more of a waddle.

But hey, it's exercise. And i thought i'd share the hows and the tips, just in case there's another Fat Woman who might want to walk, in winter, while fat.

Benefits of walking: no equipment but shoes. You can cover up as much as you like. No gym locker rooms to deal with, you know, filled with skinny people. Heaven forfend that a fat woman should show up there and get undressed. First rule of life: do no harm. So why would i want to frighten the skinny people? If they faint from the sight of me, they might hurt themselves, given they have no padding.  Other benefits to walking to or from work: you have to get there somehow. Cheaper than gas and parking. Cheaper than the subway, or the bus. No rowdy students, or cranky squished commuters to deal with. Just the wide open sky and the occasional thoughtless driver on a cell phone bound and determined to reduce the population by one fat woman.

Rules of engagement: has to be at least 30 degrees. No point in walking when its so cold you wish global warming would hurry up and ARRIVE darn it. And its really miserable to walk in the rain for more than a mile, at least IMHO (in my humble opinion.)  An ipod would be nice i suppose but my brain provides plenty of entertainment so its not necessary for me.

Here's how i do it.

1. Traced my route by car to get a sense of the prettiest way. In my case, its Lincoln Road to Rhode Island to 5th to NY Avenue (stop to get starbucks coffee), to 6th, to F.

2. Mark it on walkjogrun.net to see pre-ZACTLY how far i'm going. to feel proud of the accomplishment.

3. Pack a nice clean blouse and extra top half unmentionables in my backpack. (and take work shoes to work so i have some nice ones to slip into when i get there. The backpack is key: no purses or satchels.

4. Wear a comfy walking bra/camisole, and a tshirt, and a vest, and a coat. And ear muffs, and 2 scarves, one very washable that's closest to me.

5. Wear knee hi stockings on my legs, and then sweat socks, and very sturdy tennis shoes.

6. Because, yes i'm fat enough for my thighs to rub together, i put vaseline between them, so they don't rub. and i don't wear panty hose or stockings because truthfully i get too hot and i need a bit of a breather.

7. Is this TMI? 

8. Too bad.

9. Put on hand lotion liberally and then my leather gloves, and get a move on.

10. By the time i've walked a quarter mile i'm no longer cold, and as i go, i can take off a scarf, and unbutton the coat. my ear muffs keep me from misery, and doesn't give me hat hair.

11. By the time i turn on 5th street, i'm in a great mood, feeling warm in spots and cold in others, but cheerful and energetic, and best of all, AWAKE.

12. I do stop at the new starbucks in the safeway at L and NY Avenue which NEVER has a line.

13. When i get to work, i cool down a bit in my office. And when i've stopped sweating, i change into my nice clothes. I can be presentable within 20 minutes of getting in, but i do have to allow for that time.

14. Takes me about 45 minutes from door to door.

Haven't lost any weight. I do believe i'd have to give up eating some of what i eat, in order to do that. Yup, i'm pretty sure that's what's required. But my heart and legs are strong, i sleep better, my mood is good, and i'm being "green". Can't beat that with a stick.

:-)

yours in waddlehood,

Jane