Archive for February, 2009
February 2nd, 2009 - Walking
I’ve been walking a lot more lately. I think it’s in large part due to the weight loss–it’s easier to walk when you are carrying even just 25# less. Another reason is because I walked through the Arctic cold with the -30F windchills and survived. If I could walk in that weather, I can walk in warmer weather, even if it’s still below freezing.
So last Wednesday, I walked downtown after work to get the REALBread. (The previous week, I’d walked down for an appointment and discovered Main Street isn’t as far as it seems from work by car. Weird. Most people think car rides make things seem closer. Don’t they?) That may have been a bit too much as I had some sciatic pain by the time I got home. It was the equivalent of walking to/from/to work all in a row without a break. Next time, I’ll plan to either sit down for a while or I’ll take the bus partway home.
And the last two weekends, I’ve taken walks both days. The weekend before last, I walked to the grocery store each day during Maggie’s nap. One of them, I brought home 10# of flour. That was a bit much–but I did it! This weekend was quite a bit warmer (low 30s!, but I don’t think it was above freezing as not much melted) so I went for walks with Emma. On Sunday, Maggie came, too. We did a longer walk that I thought she’d take, and by the end she was complaining a little bit. Luckily, we were only a block from home so she was quickly distracted by talk of the snack we’d have soon.
It’s been driving me nuts that she doesn’t like walking, but it’s our own fault. How will a kid like to walk for a mile if you never take them for shorter walks and build up to it? It’s been hard this winter, however, as it’s just been too darn cold for so long to take her out for more than a walk around the block. Till now! We’re hoping for 1 or 2 walks each week now. Assuming it stays “warmer.” Good for the dogs, too, since it’s been too cold to let them play in the yard (that is, they wouldn’t really play, just sit around, and then they get cold, plus they have such short fur they have to be running around to stay warm).
Since I’ve lost 25#, I put a 5# weight in my backpack that I wear to/from work. I could do it when the weight was in me, so let’s keep doing it to help burn more calories! (Did I mention I’m trying to lose 5 more pounds this spring?)