I am not an athletic person.
Right from school days until now i am not into any physically challenging sports.
But here’s the funny thing.When i got into sixth grade, i somehow ended up on the long jump competition.
My first effort in long jump ended up with a sprained back. My sports story wrapped up as soon as it began.
As you know , in India sports teachers never minded kids with no athletic drive. I was more into activities like music, writing etc.
Fitness and health had no place in my dictionary.
As many sedentary people – I gained weight. I was plump and round since my childhood and didn’t find a reason to lose weight.Marriage , kids and my job added more weight. My weight became part of my life.
After all these years,I’ve found something “athletic” I enjoy. Yes I started my walking routine 2 years back. The urge to get up and start walking came up as a result of my job. My job required me to spend a lot of time sitting . Unfortunately, I know that sitting all day isn’t going to help me lead a long, healthy life. I’m lucky that i have a switch in my head i can turn on to make me do things.
Turning on is the challenge. Once I turn on , I’m good in sticking to it. I turned it on 2 yrs back.
I love early morning walks in summer. I strongly believe emotional well-being promotes physical health and fitness. Morning walks help me de stress. You don’t need special skills to walk. It helps your brain relax and release the happy chemicals – the endorphins.
I feel energetic after walks. I go for evening walks during winter . I prefer outdoors than treadmill. Observing the environment around me helps reconnecting with myself.
I use my walks as means to take time to work through problems and possible solutions. Along with my stress relief i found a drop in my pounds. I weigh 15 pounds lighter now. My walking habit had an impact on my family. They started accompanying me in my walks.
My husband and I enjoy our walks together (again it happens only when my in-laws are here). Sometimes, we leave our kids in their activities and take a stroll together. It leads naturally to conversation, sharing and quality time together. I take turns to go for walks with my kids. Special hours spent alone with one parent and one child can make lasting bonds especially for children who had to share their parents with other siblings.
In winter, I manage to squeeze in walking at least 3 days a week. I do stairs at work if weather doesn’t permit. I take desk lunch at work and use my lunch breaks to climb stairs or do a quick 20 minute walk around the office building. Walking is my obsession now.
If you don’t feel motivated to walk alone, build the habit by walking together. Join people who already have a routine. Form a group with like-minded friends. Choose early morning schedule if time is the factor blocking you.
The benefits of walking is beyond the merely physical. In addition to keeping your weight in control, walking improves your mood, relieves stress,increases blood flow to brain, lowers the blood pressure and heart health risk. The list goes on.
Get smart, Get walking
I am an addict to this walking habit and i am proud to be one. After all , walking is good!
I am the person who loves to walk. But I prefer walk in treadmill. You don’t have to dependent on anything.
1) Weather is not an issue.
2) Anytime in a year you can walk.
3) Have a iPod or CD player or talk with your friends while walking.
Typically we put on weight during winter. But during winter I lost weight around 6 LBs.
Walking helps even your anxiety. It can help you in shape and being fit. It reduces stress a lot.
BTW, don’t push hard yourself using incline while walking. Using incline may create back pain as you are pushing too hard on your back. I have recently started having back pain. One of the reason is walking with incline. Please avoid walking with incline in treadmill.
Good Luck to all.