Health &Pets &Weight Loss admin | 07 May 2009
Joys of Walking
I’m in the eleventh week of a long-term weight loss trip and part of the fun with the whole deal so far is the fact that after many years of vegetating on my ass working seven days a week on one computer or another, I’ve rediscovered the joys of walking.
I mean, seriously, I’m turning into a walking nut.
As I write these words, it’s almost a quarter to nine p.m. and I’m just now back from walking all three dogs… one at a time.
Little Cricket, our energetic and wonderful FeistTerrier, got the first walk of 1.3 miles in 21 minutes.
Big Sparky, our rapidly aging mix, got the second walk of 1.3 miles in 22 minutes.
Since the sun was rapidly headed to bed and today I’d dressed in dark navy blue shorts and a black T-shirt to commemorate the founding of The American Medical Association in Philadelphia in 1847, I cut Pepper the Australian Cattle Dog’s walk down to a lousy five minutes.
Happily, our dogs live in the moment because of all the meditating I do around here, so Pepper was quite content with her five minute walk. I don’t think she had a clue that she’d gotten the short end of the stick this evening.
Anyway, walking beats chomping down a big bowl of peppermint ice cream for dessert, especially after eating a healthy dinner.
If you haven’t taken a brisk walk lately, give it a try today.
I predict you’ll be as happy after doing it as I am right now. 
on 28 May 2009 at 9:39 am 1.megan said …
Congratulations, Chet!
I started a walking regimen, then stopped it, need to restart.
I have lumps of lard that need to leave. I ended up gaining about 4 lbs over the last two months because i’ve been very busy at work, and you guessed it! It involves sitting and staring at a computer.
My trainer said for me to drink a pint of water upon rising and go for a 30-40 minute walk. Daily would be ideal, but at least three times a week or every other day. I started before Christmas, then stopped, started, stopped. Lather, rinse, repeat.
If i woke up late, then i didn’t get the walk done before work and i’d shrug and tell myself i’d try next day. Finally, it got through my thick cranium that if i simply walked WHENEVER, it would be better than walking NEVER. Duh.
So, last night, i walked after dinner. I have a 2.5 mile route that has a couple of hills, and it’s a good time for me to prayerwalk or meditate. I’m not much of a morning person, and since i’ve given myself permission to walk WHENEVER, i’ve done it more often. I’m still in the “getting back to it” stage, and missed this morning as i awoke a bit late and then got a phone call. But i figure at lunch or after work is better than never. So, for now, my exercise mantra is
WHENEVER is better than NEVER.
on 28 May 2009 at 11:37 am 2.admin said …
Megan, I sure hear you. I have trouble being consistent, too, though it’s easier for me since I work at home and can stop what I’m doing and head outside for a walk whenever I want.
The problem of course is the “wanting” to do it. Especially now that the summer heat and humidity is bearing down on us in North Carolina.
Your mantra is a very good one.
WHENEVER is better than NEVER.
Amen to that.
Chet