Building healthy habits is hard. It is even more difficult if you are overweight or have some other disorder that brings you down. But I have heard it before that consistency is key.
PE, also known as physical education
Do you remember in school when we had PE, also known as a class called physical education? Our instructor would always have us walk around the field before we played whatever game she had in store.
Actually, let’s be honest…She asked us to run the field! But most of us did our best to take as long as we possibly could by walking until we started getting detention. Ha.
But the point is, they were trying to build a foundation for walking. A habit that would hopefully last until we were old. So that we didn’t get all fat and have a bunch of diseases.
History
Now walking has already been a habit for many for a long time. We used to hunt, gather, and work the fields and our lands. Everyone was a farmer or had something to trade. It all involved walking.
What did we do before cars, trains, and planes? We walked. Do you need to go to the store? Walk. Wanna go out with your friends? Walk.
Anything and everything we did up until 135 years ago happened because we walked to get there. And there were fewer weight problems too!
Walking for Health
Walking lowers your blood pressure and increases blood flow, which also helps circulation. It also lowers cholesterol as well as leveling out blood sugars, improving diabetes. When we walk, we are using our muscles. Strengthening our muscles helps protect our bones from breakage as we age.
They say walking for 30 minutes a day is best. But one of my favorite sites says if you start with just 10 minutes at a time, it will improve your overall health. Mainly because once we do the first 10 minutes, we then have the energy to do more. We have to start, though.
Walking for pleasure
Walking can be a source of relaxation. It gives us the opportunity to slow down, remember, and smell the air (hopefully fresh air). When we walk, the feel-good pleasure endorphins kick into action, creating a positive experience and helping to relieve some symptoms of depression.
Walking gets the blood flowing and the brain working. Raising serotonin levels and making us happier. I used to think driving made me happy, but that was just an accomplishment. And now that I’m older, it is just a means of escape.
But to be truly happy and able to deal with the stressor of life…that is something walking helps with. Yes, I said it. Walking helps relieve stress. Something we have an abundance of in this world right now.
Walking programs
Nowadays, there are walking programs for those of us who have a hard time getting started. As well as for those of us who have little to no time or motivation. There are walking programs for losing weight, for older adults, for seniors, for couples, for those with children. Just about anyone who wants to walk there is a specific program to help like-minded individuals.
Walking to lose weight(Google search)
Walking programs for beginners(Google search)
Walking programs online(Google search)
Walking programs for parents(Google search)
Walking programs for stress(Google search)
Walking Groups
Walking groups/How to find and join(Google search)
Walking groups in America(Google search)
Walking Trails
Washington walking trails(Google search)
Anywhere you live, you can go to Google and type walking trails for the trails and places to walk near your location.
Summary
Walking has many health benefits and can be done anywhere we are. But we have to get up to do it.
It can help with:
- Stress
- Heart
- Circulation
- Motivation
- Mindfulness
- Depression
- Diabetes
- Cholesterol
- Weight loss
- Blood pressure
And I’m sure so much more than I have named here. In short, walking can change our lives and give us a little bit of happiness in the long run.
What I get out of walking
When I walk, I get a sense of freedom, and peace settles over me. As I stretch out my legs, moving faster and stronger over the pavement, over the grass and gravel, I spy the ants and smell the flowers. I smell the trees and take in the fresh air. It exhilarates me.
I am unfocused and yet somehow thinking clearly. Smelling the forest and feeling the sun on my skin. Even when it is cloudy and maybe sprinkling just a little… It feels like the sun is out for me.
The farther I walk, the better I feel, but even the short 1 mile I did today was enough for me for now.
Walking gives me energy
Walking gives me energy, and when I am feeling down, it brings me up. I miss going to the Y, where, before the COVID thing, I walked regularly. I couldn’t smell the air and rarely felt the sun, but it was important to me.
Leaving the house every day was an escape. It was a healthy escape to a reality that I don’t quite understand. Walking brings me out of depression and gives me a sense of purpose.
When I walk, I am strengthening my body and exercising my heart. I am relieving my mind of stress so that I am less likely to start unnecessary arguments. When I walk, I have more patience with my 3 children. I yell less and teach more with love.
Companionship while walking
Walking can be better when you walk with someone. As long as they aren’t starting arguments or complaining the whole time.
I’m not sure what I like best: walking alone or with someone.
On the one hand, when I walk alone, I can go at the speed I want. I can choose the route and distance of the walk. And when I walk with someone, I feel companionship and have someone to talk to.
But then I have to listen to them too. I don’t get to choose but have to be agreeable on where, when, and how far. I have to be considerate of them and their needs.
Helps me think
Walking helps me think. It is good for the mind. It pushes oxygen and blood through the brain. Improving circulation by speeding up the flow of blood pumping through my body.
I love the feeling when my body starts trying to cool itself down. I get tingles all over my body and suddenly feel like I could save the world with all the energy I have.
Finding a way to walk with the kids
Since being home, it is very difficult to walk. I have 3 children under 10. I used to take the stroller and try to walk around the streets near me. Oftentimes, I don’t like to, though. I feel like everyone is staring at me because I am overweight.
The pool table?
We also have a little patio that has a pool table on it. When it is raining I and the kids run and walk around it. Chasing each other makes it not seem like work!
When the sun is out I can throw their butts outside (not literally) but then I have to find the motivation to run because the space is so small and I’m just running back and forth.
Which is why I like Sparkpeople.com so much. Chris Downie talks about this stuff like weight gain or loss, habits, and overall good health. The site is very motivating and interactive. Go to Sparkpeople.com, also now it’s called peopleone.com, but I left sparkpeople because that’s the name of the book.
It is so much easier to sit. But I’m really tired of being overweight. And while exercise is not the full answer, only part of the solution. I do need to do my part to be a healthier, happier me.
Walking for me is the answer.
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