Most of you know, I’ve been on this weight loss journey for my entire life a while now. I’ve lost about 35 lbs and a size and a half. (Not quite 2 full sizes, which actually sucks, but I’m working on it.)

Some of my success can be attributed to my appetite–or lack there of. But the majority of my success is due to exercise.

Walking in particular.

I’ve been walking 4-6 miles a day, several days (usually 3-4) a week.

Usually I feel great, and yesterday was no exception…until suddenly it was.

It’s time for new shoes. I’m averaging 60+ (nice typo) 20+ miles a week on shoes I bought in the spring…yeah, these pups are making my dogs bark: among other things.

Yesterday, I’m in the middle of mile three, texting a friend and laughing when suddenly my hips start aching.

I was totally confused by this piercing joint pain.

“No, no,” I say. “My hips don’t hurt. Only old people have hips that hurt.”

So I ignore the pain and keep pushing forward. By mile 4, my hips are very angry.

“No, no,” I say as the piercing shoots to my lower back. “Not going to believe my hips are hurting. I still get carded at the grocery store. I’m not old enough to have hip pain.”

And that’s when my hips start to scream at me: LISTEN LADY! GOOD FOR YOU ON YOUR GREAT SKIN. THAT’S FABULOUS. BUT NO MATTER HOW YOUNG YOU THINK YOU LOOK, YOUR BODY IS STILL 40 AND YOU’RE STILL WEARING SHOES THAT NEED TO BE REPLACED AND WE’RE HURTING. SO SHUT UP WITH THE DENIAL ALREADY AND GET US SOME ADVIL!

So I climbed into my car, drove home, and listened to my hips like a good little girl. 3 Advil and 2 hours later, my hips were all better.

But I’m still too damn young to have hip pain. So tonight I’ll take my Advil before I walk…and I will be replacing my tennis shoes post haste.