30 Walks: Week One

Well, I only walked 4 out of 7 days. Two of those were days when the walking happened during other activities, a school group tour of a historic site, and a farm tour. But as long as I get my heart and lungs pumping, I am counting it. Any kind of walking is better than the days when I don't leave the desk chair at all, or spend the day doing a lot exhausting emotional or mental work with little physical challenge). I didn't count yesterday, although I did a lot of work at home and at Mom's house - it wasn't cardio-challenging.

Not a very inspiring start, but I think I need to find the right pattern. I wanted to walk in the evening, but I am often very tired by then. I came back from Mom's yesterday at 8:30pn, and almost instantly fell asleep in the chair after chugging half a gallon of water. Over all, it was a more active week than usual, and a better start than no start at all. I will do better this coming week.

New Challenge: 30 Walks

I read somewhere that if you do something for 6 weeks, it becomes established as a habit. Or, if you stop yourself from doing something, you break a habit.

It's my birthday in 30 days, so I plan to take a walk every day until then. I've been needing to walk more, but I never seem to actually do it for more than a few days in a row. Once I get to 30 Walks, I will be two-thirds of the way to establishing it as a habit.

Took my first walk tonight, with an 11-year-old. She led me up hills and to a flight of 36 stone steps (I counted) to the basketball court at the playground, and then into the woods to see the vine swing she wanted me to approve. Then she toured me all through the features of the playground - puddles to float bottle caps, hills to roll down, places for scootering and such. I don't know how far we actually went, and it wasn't classic "walking", but it got me out of the house and my heart was certainly pounding at times.

Now, let's see if I can find time to take another walk tomorrow.