Finally, I figured out a way to walk that I enjoy.
Steps Taken
Sunday I walked down the driveway several times. Walking on the rocks hurt my foot a lot. I walked 5,676 steps.
Monday evening Vince and I went down to the park about 5 or 6 miles from the house and walked the new walking track. I only managed to walk 4,936 steps that day.
Tuesday evening we again went to the park. It’s a concrete walking path, brand new and much better for my foot than the rocks in the driveway but even walking on the concrete was hurting. Each trip around the path is about a mile. Vince wanted to make a second pass around . . another mile . . but my foot was killing me so we had to stop after one mile. I got in 6,057 steps that day.
Wednesday . . I hit pay dirt! I figured out a good plan and I didn’t want to stop walking. I got in a total of 10,568 steps. I took my pedometer, which was easier than the Jawbone for mapping out a plan. Walking around the house but staying within the inner fenced area (avoiding chicken poop and tall weeds), it was 220 steps so 5 trips around the house is 1,000 steps. Walking on the cushiony grass hardly hurt my foot at all. At first I would go out and make 4 loops, then I’d do something in the house and cool off (it was over 90 degrees out), go back out and walk a few more loops. Then I figured out that I could hook Pandora to the outside speakers and play my favorite stations and I could have my music playing while I was walking. No one could see me. No one could hear my music . . I was where I needed to be and all I wanted to do was walk. Vince came home and I asked him to walk with me and he said no. I came in and did a few things and went back out. Vince said “How long are you going to walk?” and I told him “til dark!”.
The first few days I dreaded walking. I didn’t want to do it but I knew I had to. I’m so happy I’ve figured out a way to walk and enjoy it.
Sandie says
That’s fantastic for you Judy! Dan and ai used Fitbit and aside from eating sensibly, walking was the only change we made to our lifestyle. I’ve already told you how much weight we lost, so you know it works!
JudyL says
Would you post in a comment how many steps you tried to walk each day while losing weight and how many steps you try to walk now to maintain? You were so successful and I’m sure others would love that info.
Thanks!
justquiltin says
I’m picturing you with a trail of chickens following along behind you as you circling the yard walking to the music. 🙂
JudyL says
I made the mistake yesterday of catching a few grasshoppers along my path and feeding them to the chickens. They’re on one side of the fence and I’m on the other (so as not to get chicken poop all over my walking shoes) and now they follow along the fence when I’m out there. I said I wasn’t going to give them grasshoppers again today but I saw a big, fat one on the mint and already gave them one today so I’ll have “followers” for sure today.
Sherrill Pecere says
Vince said no?!!! I didn’t think he ever said that. HA
JudyL says
I hear NO way more than I hear yes! That’s a good thing though because I come up with wild and crazy ideas every minute of every day. Yesterday I had envisioned an elaborate plan where I could open the gate with my cell phone and I had already googled how to do it. It would require another solar panel up at the gate. I don’t think he even said NO . . he just gave me “that look” and I’m pretty sure my cell phone will not be opening my gate any time soon. 🙂
pattilynn9 says
I’m glad you found a more comfortable way to walk. Gotta take care of the feet!
Tricia says
It’s great that you found a way to exercise that is enjoyable (and not painful!) to you. I only hike in my mountains if my son comes along and reads classic literature to me! It’s weird, but it works for me!
Dorothy Schreyer says
Good for you, everyone has to find what works for them, because if it isn’t enjoyable, it won’t be done!
Karin Hebbert says
I walk with music too and sometimes I listen to an audio book. Our road is dirt and rocks so I wear a good pair of hiking boots/shoes…the ones I took to Africa. Those boots have seen a lot of miles! 🙂 I try to walk to the pavement most days. That’s 5 miles and then anything extra is bonus steps. Still not losing any weight though so it’s kind of discouraging.
dezertsuz says
That’s great! I’m so happy you found a way you can walk and enjoy it. We have a great walking path at a local park, too, but it kills me to DRIVE to someplace to walk. LOL My grass is all downhill in two directions, but maybe if I just drive to the bottom of the hill, only 1/4 mile away, I wouldn’t feel so bad – and it’s cooling off some. That’s a good idea. Thanks!
Cheryl Rosati says
That’s what I did… walk a circle in my yard… it’s got a bit of a slope so I do have some uphill walking and an equal amount of downhill to balance it out… I find putting on a Podcast keeps me occupied and can get an hours worth of walking in. I kinda aggravated my knee so I’ve been off walking but hope to get back at it soon!
Dar in MO says
I’m one that listens to music or an audio book and it is amazing how far you can walk and not realize the time that has passed.