I’m a walkaholic and I’m not afraid to admit it. I’ve always enjoyed my morning walk but now it’s become an addiction. If I miss it, I feel weird, like I’m out-of-whack. Walking makes me feel good and I’m not about to stop. For a while, I was doing about 5 miles a day but even a stroll around the block makes a huge difference.
I walk for a variety of reasons, so I thought I’d list them to possibly inspire you to take it up yourself if you’re not already doing it.
1. My morning walk makes me feel good
In a previous post, I mentioned a book called No Sweat by Michelle Segar Ph.D. She states that exercising for health or to lose weight can make you feel frustrated if you fail or you think of it as medicine. Instead, do it because it gives you joy.
I love exploring my neighborhood, looking at houses, birds, people, clouds, feeling the sunshine on my face, the wind in my hair. . .
2. It gives me a sense of accomplishment
I wear a fitness tracker to keep myself accountable and because I like to compete with myself. If I set a goal to reach a certain number of steps per day and accomplish it on a regular basis it’s satisfying. That discipline translates to other aspects of my life. I like to get things done on time and reach goals.
3. It reduces my stress
When I’m breathing in the fresh air on my morning walk, and taking time to think without distractions it’s the best way I can think of to relieve stress. If someone or something has made me angry, I feel calmer after walking a couple of miles. It sure beats banging my head against the wall or holding in my frustration until it causes me to become ill.
4. It’s my creative space
I don’t listen to music or an audiobook when I walk. I like to infuse myself with the atmosphere. Plus, I want to make sure I don’t get hit by a speeding car or some klutz on a bike. If you don’t pay attention you can get hurt. Instead, I let my imagination fly. Ideas for blog posts come to me like magic. They just show up in my head.
When I’m home working in my office I get distracted by phone calls, emails, or other people who need my attention. I crave alone time to get my thoughts together and create.
5. My breathing and overall wellness improve when I walk
One of the benefits of walking is that it clears your respiratory system making it easier to breathe. This happens even if you take a gentle walk. Your walking rhythm works your lungs naturally and opens your airways. There’s nothing scarier when you’re over 50 than shortness of breath. Walking lowers your blood pressure, strengthens your heart, and helps you stay flexible.
6. It keeps arthritis at bay
Ever since I started walking regularly, I rarely feel stiff. As a writer, I sit too much and that can be dangerous especially as you get older. Now I feel like a well-oiled machine without the aches and pains.
7. Walking is relatively safe
The last thing I want to do is hurt myself, so I avoid exercises that could possibly make me disabled. Walking is what we were born to do. I ran when I was in my 40s and it was great, but I don’t want to go through a knee or hip replacement if I don’t have to.
Admittedly, I’ve occasionally been a klutz and tripped on a sidewalk crack but have been able to catch myself. I guess that “step on a crack, you’ll break your mother’s back” quote rings true now that we’re old enough to be grandparents. So I try to focus on lifting my feet up and watch where I’m stepping because there are tons of cracks on the sidewalk where I live. (in Earthquake country)
Below are my tips for taking a morning walk (or anytime walk) successfully
- It helps that I live in a moderate climate and can walk outside almost every day. If taking a morning walk means going out in zero degrees you can always purchase a treadmill, stroll around an indoor mall, or walk back and forth across your living room.
- Wear good shoes that are comfortable and don’t hurt your feet. I like shoes that let my feet breathe and give me support. Orthotics help if you have foot problems. If it’s wet and slippery outside make sure your shoes have a good tread, so you won’t fall on your keister.
- I ALWAYS carry a small shoulder pouch with a reusable water bottle inside. I never leave the house without water. I also carry a credit card in case I want to take a break at a nearby coffeehouse and my phone in case of an emergency or if I want to take an Instagram photo. You never know what you may see or who you’ll meet on a walk.
- You can work out your arms while you walk by swinging them in various directions. (palms up, sideways, up and down, behind you) If you don’t want to carry lightweights, do more repetitions.
- Stretch and do squats at stoplights while you’re waiting for the light to turn. (at least that’s what we city folks do)
Why is your first point almost the hardest for me to grasp – it seems most of what I do is “for a purpose.” Lose weight, get fit, be more productive, don’t be lazy… But “do it because it gives you joy” sounds so appealing. Just reading that sentence made my body relax.
Also, I loved what you said about watching for cracks. A couple of years ago, I missed a crack and fell face down. Bruised ribs hurt for weeks, but luckily only sustained a small scratch on my face. : )
I’m so glad the idea of doing it for joy made you relax. There’s no reason it should be a chore or give us any reason to fail. So sorry that you fell and bruised yourself. I’ve done that before and it’s no fun. Once I was carrying a baby on my back. (years ago) Luckily she wasn’t hurt. My face was a mess for a while and I got 2 black eyes.
I must get back to walking. I used to to do it all of the time, but haven’t in quite a while. I keep asking for a treadmill, but no one seems to be getting the message. Thank you for the push to get my butt outside…except today it’s like 9 degrees outside!
I can understand how you must feel to go out in such cold. Yeow! A treadmill sounds like a better idea if you have space for one. There’s always the mall. That can be a fun place to walk around.
Hi Rebecca! I too am a walkaholic. I walk every morning for all the reasons you mention —except the only thing you forgot to mention is the reward of doing it with a dog. Even when I don’t want to go, she is counting on me. I can’t imagine my life without walking and believe it is the best possible way to stay healthy! ~Kathy
LOL! I’m surprised I didn’t mention that because I always take my dogs out first before going on my long walk. Dogs are great for making sure you get exercise, Mine are apartment dogs so they have to go out.
I love that this post is dedicated to walking, I walk away stress too, plus it adds minutes to my “try to be active at least an hour a day” I totally agree that sitting is dangerous! Gotta stand up and stretch sometimes too 😉