Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Exercise: Walking is still my favorite

After trying to spice up the routine, today I had no time for anything, so I went for a walk. I drove to the beach and I enjoyed myself. There is a certain peace that comes when you walk. Ideas seem clearer when you walk. Life seems better.
This is a small post today. I am tired. But I am committed to work hard and reach my goals.

7 comments:

Kathy said...

Walking is my favorite, too, but I just can't get out there these days. Much too hot. I'm praying for a drop in temps by early Sept., so I can get out there again and do something serious about my weight gain. Aerobics is not an option either. I'm really hating exercise other than walking right now.

Good luck!

Avid Diva said...

I know what you mean. I used to walk three miles a day, five days a week. Now, I feel lucky if I actually walk two days in the same week. I wish I had a swimming pool because then the heat would be a plus (actually I wish I knew how to swim because I've heard it is one of the most complete exercises on Earth). When exercise is not an option, I just drink a lot of water. It cools me down and it has no calories.
As far as exercises, is there something that you really like to do? Maybe tennis, dancing, cleaning? Don't laugh too hard, I tend to dance while I am cleaning and break into a pretty good sweat (I also dream of hiring cleaning help while I dance with my broomstick). Maybe you can come up with a way of "playing" with your exercise routine. Let me know how it goes.

Kathy said...

I'm going out this morning with my sister to "step." On the campus where I work is a long flight of steps leading up to the fraternities on "the hill." And by "hill" I mean "mountain."

The flight has 90 steps to it and we try to do 15 "reps." It's brutal. I know I need to take it slow, as I have not exercised in weeks and weeks. I don't want to ruin my calves, which is what hurts the most when I work out after a long period of inactivity.

I'll post back tomorrow. That is, if I can walk enough to make it to the computer.

Kathy said...

Well, I did it. The stepping was difficult, but not impossible, which gives me hope. I estimate I did 3 "reps" for every 4 that my sister did. In total, I think I did the 90-step flight about a dozen times, with plenty of resting in between.

The last thing I want to do is overdo it and then be out of commission. That's what happened after Thanksgiving last year when I hurt myself doing aerobics and couldn't exercise at all for six months after, hence the 25 lb. weight gain.

Better days are ahead!

Avid Diva said...

I am happy that you are working on something different, so that you don't get bored. I am a little concerned for your calves, I know that pain VERY well. But you know what, we (I mean society as a whole) spend too much time thinking on the negative, so even if the next day you feel like you can't walk one more step, I am going to find the positive to that too. If you did something for yourself, and it goes toward a goal that you REALLY want, then that is one more step towards your goal, even when you can only see the pain now, I can see the excellent looking calves in a couple of months. But take it easy, I hope you are not too hurt the next day. I also hope you do it again soon. I am proud of you for your efforts.

Kathy said...

The calves got worse today. I thought by now they'd be all stretched out and healed. I guess I need another day of walking very gingerly! Man, I really tried to avoid this. I rested so much in between.

As soon as I'm able, I'll get right back out and walk (not step). Walking is the easiest on my body right now.

Avid Diva said...

I am very proud for what you accomplished, but I am playing devil's advocate now. Why don't you try to step again next weekend? Only this time, try to make it 10 times only with plenty of rest in between. The reason I suggest this is because I did it in the summer. The first time I stepped, I felt I could do anything and ended up in bed for a week (hurt everything from my back to my feet). Then after a week, I went back and did half of what I tried before, and you know what? I was sore, but not as bad as before. You know your body better than anybody, but if you like stepping, try it again, but not as intensive. Try to work up to the 15 instead of trying to start there. And don't even think about your sister right now. This is a contest against your self. Maybe next Sat. you only do six, and then the next time you aim for seven. You know where I am going with this.
For today, rest your legs and go walking and remember to stretch after. If you have a massage machine, that also helps. I hope you feel better.

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