A mix of photography, recipes, personal thoughts, faith, and lots of family stuff, but not necessarily in that order.

Saturday, January 7, 2017

It's ok to just walk...


 I read an article today that encouraged and reminded me that walking....
yes, just walking has a lot of benefits...
I appreciate those who LOVE to exercise and get that HIGH from it.
YES, it's a real thing!
I know there are many of you out there who love to exercise and I admire you for that,
I'm even just a little bit jealous that you love so much what is so good for you.

But guys, I'm just keeping' it real here, It's not a HIGH for me.
I'm quite sure I'm speaking for others as well.
 I have never in my life experiences that HIGH!!!
That doesn't happen for everyone, even in my best body, best shape & youthful days,
I hated exercise....to the core!

I remember in my running days people used to say,
"You just have to get over that hump and then the rest of the run is a breeze,
 I NEVER (ever) got over "that hump", hated every minute of it, and never felt better afterwards.
 I will say I was glad I did it, but never felt good.

So again.... not snubbing exercise (don't be hatin') 
just trying to endorse that the low-impact, not-every-day kind of exercise is
 just fine for those who don't want to or who physically can't do the extreme

Mayo Clinic News Network

"Physical activity doesn't need to be complicated. Something as simple as a daily brisk walk can help you live a healthier life.
For example, regular brisk walking can help you:
  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Prevent or manage various conditions, including heart disease, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes
  • Strengthen your bones and muscles
  • Improve your mood
  • Improve your balance and coordination
The faster, farther and more frequently you walk, the greater the benefits".
I have often been discouraged with all the hype on social media and
 on the news about the need to exercise....
crazy strenuous, high impact, diaphoretic, messy, sucking-air-kind of exercise.  UGH!
The above article (click on the purple link) reminds me that it's OK to just walk,
you don't have to put In the "exercise CD" and sweat like crazy person,
You don't have to get up at "stupid-o'clock-in-the-morning". 
You can just walk, you can make your walk what you want it to be, you can even break it up.  you can walk fast..or slow, you can even throw in a little jog if you want, but the point is....
You just need to move, Get up and move, the more you do, the greater the benefits.

The point of this posting is to encourage exercise in a way the works for YOU,
and yet not disesteem those who love exercise.

 It's OK to be the minimalist, to be that low-impact person...like me.
Yes I exercise, I belong to our healthy living center at Mayo.
 If I'm lucky I get there two times a week and supplement that with hiking,
walking the neighborhood, and walking 5 blocks twice a week to my job.


Then there's the stairs...
It's not often that I do stairs!
My knees creek and groan, surgery helped with the right knee, but all those years of pounding up and down the courts, jumping, running & sliding did a number
on my joints. (high school and college sports)
 So I have chosen to limit the stairs and be kind to my joints.

 I like this wall of words at the gym...
Balance, Longevity, Flow, Dedication, Breathe...Life is a balance

Walking into the Gym yesterday I stopped to read this......
TRUTH
 I stood a little more upright, and added a bounce to my step,
you see I really didn't want to exercise, I was dreading it but I knew I should.
(and my husband was going)
These words encouraged me, so off I went feeling better about my effort
 and my low-impact, work out.

Live healthy, get up and move, breath, enjoy Life!
Go ahead and lap those ones on the couch






12 comments:

  1. "Stupid o'clock"

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  2. You know me Jackie...I've exercised most of my adult life. Most of the time it's been designated time at the gym or taking a class. But as I've grown Up (not grown old), I do less of that and find myself trying to make more opportunities in my day to add in some exercise within my daily activities. If I'm watching TV, I can do some sit ups or stretching (usually stretching) or I pick up my kettle bell and do squats or arm work while I watch my favorite TV show. If you're watching commercials you can do the exercises during the commercial! If I'm going to the store, I park a little farther away and walk the distance-yes! Even in the cold-burn more calories. Instead of looking at exercise as something I have to fit into my day, I look at my day and figure out what I can fit into it to create exercise. Instead of sitting and watching the grandkids play, I join in and reap the benefit of connecting with them while I get a work out (and go home exhausted, but with a full heart). I also find that I can split my walk to a couple times a day and what would take a half hour-45 minutes can be fit in easily with 15-20 minutes a couple times a day. It's not so daunting to think about doing that. I've got a route I take and do it 2 times if I need the extra physical exercise or stress relief. By finding those opportunities within my day I never feel overwhelmed with taking time to exercise because it's built in to my daily routine. I still take classes and go to the gym a few times a week but I find it so much more rewarding to fit the exercise in to my daily tasks than to actually designate time to a treadmill, elliptical, or weight training. There's a whole world out there to see! I don't want to look at it out a window from a gym! I want to experience it! I wish you well with your journey. I am determined not to stop having fun just because I'm growing Up (not old). I'll never be old...even with recent events in my life :) <3 #lovinlife #nevergrowingold

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    1. You've echo'd many of the things I have shared in this post. Sounds like we agree on how we incorporate exercise into our daily lives. I forgot to add the grandkids.... yes, they certainly add an element to exercise. Carson has always got me running. If it's not hide and seek then it's some running game outside. I do love that, and have never really "counted" it as exercise but YES, it most certainly is. I've often thought these grands are keeping me young. Remember when you and I Used to walk the streets of Kasson all decked out in leotard and leg warmers for our aerobics class.... we were some pretty Hot ladies, ha ha. Glad you stopped by to comment Cindy!

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  3. I really wish there was a picture of you and cindy in your work-out attire! You go girl! Walking is great!

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    1. Oh we were babes Brianna.... with our permed hair and little behinds Ha ha

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  4. You inspire me. Good for you to work exercise into your daily life. That's a tough one for me as I too dislike exercise.

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    1. If I never did it again I would be happy, but I know I should so I do...when I can.

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  5. Yup....."lapping those on the couch" .......love it and so true!!! Given a choice I would be quilting! There's a ton of moving associated with it (ironing, one machine to another, stairs {my studio is on the 2nd floor of our home}, various household tasks....). The "high" has forever eluded me, also! I think I'm just as thankful it has since I get to listen to so many of my jogging friends talk about their knees!!!!!! Walking is ok but sauntering in the evening twilight with DH is even better!!!!! LOL!!!!!

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    1. Oh I love the "sauntering" too Doreen....it's the best.

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  6. Great thoughts Jackie! I, too, love to walk:) Keep up the great work!

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    1. Thanks Jen. Walking is so reflective and refreshing :)

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