A Walk Around the Block
The last time I wrote in this space, I told you about my trip to Florida where my husband, Jimmy, and I visited friends, and rode around much of the state. I think I said, he loves to “ride.” I don’t. I like to move.
Late last summer I decided to try to follow my doctor’s advice and get some exercise. I had received a fitbit type gadget for my birthday in April, and had used it a little, but I finally decided that 10,000 steps a day was a reasonable goal. So, I began walking.
I love to walk, my problem is I don’t like to get out of the bed. And, I have found, if I don’t walk in the morning, something gets in the way most of the time of doing it later in the day. So, I tried to get up most mornings and walk.
Then I found exercise class…or should I say it found me. An acquaintance invited me to join, and I’ve been there since sometime last fall. It’s twice a week, and I try to walk at least twice a week.
And, even before I started doing that, walking to the post office, Courthouse, and other places around town was standard. For one thing, traffic on the Square can be so bad that walking is quicker. For another…parking on the Square is usually just not worth the hassle to get back out.
And, if I’m leaving from work, the Square is just a few steps away. I have walked to the drug store in its new location, but typically I drive…again there’s the time issue. But, I digress.
I started this to complain abut the lack of respect pedestrians get around this town. But I hate to always complain, so I also wanted to talk about how much better walking makes me feel.
Most of you know the News office is just a half-block off the Square. We’ve been here a few years, and before that we were next door. So for all intents and purposes, we’ve been in the same place forever. I always walk to the Square, but crossing West Washington Street can be a challenge. There is a walk/don’t walk sign, but most of the cars there are turning right, and they often don’t even slow down as they make the turn from Forsyth to West Washington.
But I’ve noticed it everywhere. Often, even if a driver acknowledges me, the second I have passed his or her car, they go. It’s like a few more seconds until I clear the road will hold them up. It’s crazy. I get frustrated sometimes, but it is Monticello…it doesn’t take that long to cross the street.
Now, back to the health benefits of exercise. As I said, I started late last summer. I haven’t managed to lose a bit of weight (and no, I haven’t changed my eating habits), and I don’t know that I’m more muscular or can do much more than I could then, although my speed has increased, and I don’t get as tired as quickly as I used to, so I guess I’m more “fit.”
But, like others have told me for years, I feel better. I don’t know what it is, but I want to get up and move. I want to get my 10,000 steps (which I don’t do every day).
I was diagnosed as pre-diabetic, and I did nothing to change that. Then, I became diabetic, controlled with a pill. I go to the doctor this week to check my A1C to see if this exercise is paying off that way. I sure hope so.
I am about ready to bite the bullet and try to change my eating habits so I can lose some weight, but I don’t have high hopes. I’m not going to starve myself.
The telling will be in the A1C. If it still is bad, I will have no choice but to act right and do right. Please encourage me.
My son-in-law said he didn’t know why when people take up exercise, they have to shout it from the mountaintop. We’ve all seen Facebook posts about exercise, and now I’m writing a column to say how great exercise is.
I agreed with him until I took up exercise. Now I understand why everyone want to encourage others. It feels good. The crisp cool air on the winter mornings. The bright sunshine. The feel of muscles growing stronger as you push yourself. Yes, I’m ready to shout it from the mountain
top…exercise really is good. And I hope I don’t do like I’ve done every other time I’ve taken up exercise…quit. And, I don’t think I will. After all, it is good for you and makes you feel good. Nothing beats that!