Slowing Down, But Not Stopping

Lately, I’ve had to face something I didn’t really want to admit—I’ve slowed down. Not just a little, but noticeably. My walks, which used to feel steady and strong, now feel more cautious. The reason? Pain. The kind of pain that sits right in the same spot where my injury used to be, like a reminder I didn’t ask for.

I don’t fully understand what’s causing it. Maybe it’s the increase in activity, maybe it’s the extra strain from daily movement, or maybe it’s just my body asking for a different pace. Whatever the reason, it’s there—and it’s hard to ignore.

What scares me the most isn’t the pain itself. It’s what stopping might lead to.

I’ve been here before. I remember getting my weight down to 255 lbs, feeling proud of how far I had come. Then the injury happened, and everything changed. I had to stop. And even though I didn’t gain everything back, I did gain some. By February, I was back up to 273 lbs. That experience stuck with me. It’s a quiet fear in the back of my mind, reminding me how easy it can be to lose momentum.

That fear is what keeps me going now.

After that setback, I made changes again. I adjusted my diet and started moving more when I could. At our previous apartment, I relied on the elevator most of the time instead of taking the stairs. Looking back, I can see how different my routine is now compared to then, and how much more I’m asking of my body these days.

I’m also making another change—I’ll be starting intermittent fasting again. For me, that means no eating after 4 pm and waiting until 8 am the next morning to eat. It’s a structure that has worked for me before, and I’m hoping it will help me stay on track while I navigate this slower, more careful phase of my journey.

Still, I’m not quitting.

I’m learning that continuing doesn’t always mean pushing harder. Sometimes it means pulling back. Slowing down. Listening more closely to what my body is trying to say. Right now, that means walking at a slower pace than I’m used to—and being okay with that.

Because the truth is, a slower walk is still progress.
A shorter stride is still forward movement.
And choosing not to stop, even when it’s uncomfortable—that’s still strength.

I don’t have all the answers yet. I don’t know exactly why this pain has come back or how long it will stick around. But I do know this: I’m not going back to where I started.

I’ll keep showing up.
I’ll keep walking—just a little slower for now.
And I’ll keep choosing progress, no matter what pace it comes in.