I Walk... Alot
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I suppose it was inevitable, with a hub name like Constant Walker, I'd do a hub about walking. I'm literally a constant walker. I walk everywhere I go. I used to keep a mountain bike handy (and these days you can get some nice models at Wal-Mart for about $100) for those days that I didn't feel like walking. But it just sat there, neglected. I always felt like walking. I felt sorry for the bike. A silver & red y-frame Mongoose with dual-suspension, grip-shifts and disc brakes. A stallion of mountain bikes, going un-ridden. It just wasn't right. So I gave it to my co-worker. He lives about the same distance as I do from work but still thinks riding is better. It's quicker, I'll give him that. But it's not better.
I noticed a long time ago that when it's cold and you have a choice of riding or walking, it's warmer to walk. You don't have the wind-chill factor and you certainly don't get as wet if it's raining. Walkers can carry an umbrella and the motion of walking generates more body heat than riding. And you'd be amazed at the things you notice along the way, things you might have driven or ridden past a thousand times before but never seen. People will wave to you... and smile... and say 'hello.' It's nice. And, I've been downloading audio books to listen to while I'm walking. Just be sure not to get too involved in the story to pay attention when crossing streets.
I realize not everyone can walk to work and back. Many people live too far or just don't have the time, but if you can, I absolutely promise you won't regret it. If you live a mile and a half or less from where you work, you can walk it in 30 minutes or less. And the health benefits, both physically and mentally, are numerous. Here are just a few:
- Healthy heart
- Cancer prevention
- Easy body fat loss
- Manage your blood pressure
- Lowers cholesterol better than any drug
- Diabetes prevention (as diabetes is many times brought on by obesity)
- Good health and vitality during senior years
- A healthy pregnancy
- Strong legs and a sharp mind
- Alzheimer's prevention
- Add healthy years to your life
- Quiet (reletively, considering passing traffic) reflecting time - even with an iPod or disc player. This is more valuable than most people think.
So, if you can work it into your schedule, get that motivation stirred up and decide to start walking. Get yourself some sneakers (you can get some great Dr. Scholl's with gel insoles at Wal-Mart for under $30 - Wal-Mart should be paying me for all the advertising I do for them), an umbrella, a warm coat for the colder months, an iPod or CD player and go for it. The benefits will come quick and you'll be very glad you did.
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Has this story inspired you to walk more?
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Steph, Bend OREGON?! A fellow Oregonian?! Very cool, and thanks for the feedback.
I'm not even looking for Spring... that way when, IF, it shows up, I'll be pleasantly surprised!
CW,
I'm close to Steph in Central Oregon - Terrebonne (Crooked River Ranch). Too far to walk to anything. But great hub. I only have dial-up, so can't watch your video, darn!
Wow! Another Oregonian. OK, clearly I've got to start looking at people's profiles, ay? I've haven't been to -or even heard of- Terrebonne, but I have Crooked River Ranch. It sounds remote. Is dial-up the only thing available out there? If you get the opportunity to upgrade to DSL you definitely should. It's almost as fast as cable (I personally don't see the difference), but more importantly, you can do all the fun stuff.
I Loevd it! I am a walker as well and the day I forget or don't take the time my body screams at me! We were built for walking. animals run. hahahaha not me. LOL good video, thumbs up! Constant. keep writing. =)
Thanks Marisue. We are definitely made to walk. When we don't it effects us negatively. I haven't allowed myself the option of forgetting. That's how I get to work. Sometimes the last thing I feel like doing is walking to the store after walking home, but then, it's never as bad as I think it'll be.
What a beautifully presented Hub! The 2Patricias are from nowhere near Oregon but the south of England. We have the priviledge of living in great walking country with access to both coast and countryside. One tip: as you get older it is really important to wear good, supportive shoes.
Thank you, 2Patricias, for the very nice compliment, and how great to hear from England. HubSpace is such an international community.
I do love the coast, don't get to see as often as I'd like, but here in Oregon, the "country side" is all around us. You're right about the shoes, too. I'm pretty much stuck Dr.Scholl's Walking Shoes. They come with gel insoles!
I too walk..but they recommend a "brisk walk" is the best. I am doing cycling..
A brisk walk, or speed-walking, is better because it's more aerobic, but just walking is fine, and better than cycling. And cycling is better than driving.
Thanks for reading. Hope you liked the hub.
Thanks for the much needed encouragement to get out and walk. I love to walk but haven't "had" the time the past few weeks. Now I know I need to "make" the time.
You're very welcome. Thanks for the positive feedback.
Wonderful Hub!
Thank you very much. Sorry I didn't see this until just now. I try not to miss this kind of thing.
I love to walk and it is great exercise. Thanks for the interesting hub as always.
You're welcome, Sweetie.
"These boots are made for walkin'..." Loved the hub but I have to ask. Is there not a Target in your neck of the woods? ;-)
I could not agree more in that slowing down a bit, whether how you choose to get places or how you spend your time on Saturday night, lends to greater enjoyment of simple things. And often the cooler things.
Yes, Ann. there is, but Wal-Mart is closer. Why, does Target have cooler stuff?
In an old Chicago song is the line; "The good things... In life... Take a long time."
I LOVE walking! Used to walk many miles, but I haven't since I moved to a new city, I miss it. It just plain feels good, and it's interesting. Walking at night is particularly peaceful, though anytime is good. Personally, I feel it is a terrific method of stress relief.
I can't say for sure that there is any real correlation, but when I was pregnant, I walked right up until it became too uncomfortable, and my kids all like walking and hiking, too. It's not something we did much of together when they were small, so perhaps it is the result of in utero training. :)
Nice hub, C.S.
Thank you, Shirley. I completely believe in in-utero training. My mother listened to music (45s to be exact) the entire time she was pregnant with me, and I came out a natural musician. She knew before I could fully walk that I was a drummer. She's not a musician, nor is anyone else in my family. Just me.
The implications of that are staggering, along with the potential possibilities!
I know!!! I've dwelled on it. The first time I sat down behind a set of drums I knew how to play them. That has always blown my mind. And, I can teach myself to play any instrument in a reletively short amount of time. If even one of my parents had been musically inclined, then that might be an explination. But, no. My mother has just always loved rock-n-roll. In fact, when her water broke she was standing over her 45 player, and it ruined her favorite song - "Baby Love" by The Supremes. Also, and I don't know what this has to do with hearing music in the womb, but I learned to read and write way before I started kindergarten.
I really can't imagine why there haven't been more serious studies on this; Reading math and/or tech books to a fetus, etc. I've heard of people who put headphones next to their bellies and play classical music. I'd love to know if those children grow up to be classical musicians.
CW, cool story about your mom and music. I am curious as to whether you have siblings, and if so, did she listen to music the whole time she was pregnant with them? Since you are the only musician in the fam, then that could be a kind of, ah, (extremely small demoograhical) analysis of your in-utero theory!
Yes, two. Sister & brother, from another father, four & five years younger than I. By that time, she was listening to less music and watching more TV with me... but I remember the radio always on during the day. I knew all the words to most of the songs.
So, there you go. In vitro would seem to be the key. It seems obvious, doesn't it...
Constant walker is constantly walking. Very cool. I agree with you about listening to new music... take a listen to My Chemical Romance, The Frey, and the All-American Rejects. May be nice to listen to while you're walking about town...:)
I had a Chem. Romance disc, don't remember which one, but didn't like so I gave it away. Ha-ha. I've been switching off between an incredible Jethro Tull greatest hits disc, and a Terry Brooks audio book.
The newest thing I've been listening to recently is White Stripes and Raconteurs (I'm sure that's spelled wrong). I downloaded the newest Silverchair because "Straight Lines" was so good, but the rest of it sounds like David Bowie in his 70s glam-rock prime. Which was great... then, but silly now, you know? Very disappointing... sigh!
I really like Straight Lines too. I've learned to discipline myself not to sing along even in the car. Walking with ear pieces tends to make me forget that there are others around. Thank you, I've enjoyed what you have to say.
Thank you Oni, for reading. I'm glad you liked this story.
Basing on your pic in your last hub (naked hubbers) i must say you must have walked alot! LOL Walking is not a passion, but sometimes i do feel the urge to just walk - depends really on the mood and a lot on the weather! :D
I WISH I had that physique! I'va always known how important walking is, so I just set it up so I HAD to do it, whether I felt like it or not. Finding a job that was a half-hour's walk from home was a real coup. I was looking for just that, but wasn't sure I'd find it. And weather isn't so bad. You quickly get climitized and the cold doesn't bother you as much, and walking warms you up. There's tricks like layering and I NEVER wear jeans in cold weather. It's the worst choice. Denim absorbs the cold and becomes icy feeling. Sweats or cords are best.
i"ve never had problems with the cold weather, the Philippines is a tropical country so the coldest temperature is nothing to worry about. I generally like to go for a walk before when the sun has just broken out in the morning - nothing bits the cool breeze and the soft sunkisses! :D
I can understand that. I've been waking up before sunrise for as long as I can remember. It's such a quiet time, so "still," and feels everyone in the world is asleep... except me! I get alot of stuff done before most people even wake up.
I agree, there's that sort of nostalgic feel to the air - like the world is young again. It can even (sometimes) make you cry. Don't mind me, it's actually 5AM from where I am and I'm experiencing what i just described here.
and by the way, that should be "beats" - you might correct me so i beat you to it - i saw you do it one time! and while I'm at it you spelled balcony "balcany" in your Ashton hub LOL
I love walking too. This summer I heart myself as I start walking a lot after winter hibernation now my lower knee has problem..
Thanks, Cris. When I typed that out it looked weird, but I thought it was just me. I'll fix it.
Lgali, sorry to hear that. A sports doc can tell you whether you'd be able to exercise it out, with squats or something like that, or something else is needed.
thanks I am already doing physiotherpy
Good! That should help.
I love walking. Recently, I went to the base of Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. Going top was very costly and strenuous. So I did the next best, going uphill on a rather flat terrain for about six km one way. My guide, a local young man, felt the pinch but I remained in good spirits.
stephhicks68 Level 7 Commenter 4 years ago
Great comments, and the video at the end really makes it! I am a runner, until my knees give out. When I have the time, I ride my bike to work (4 miles away), but its really more a coordination with husband and 4 kids than convenience. I figure you must get more rain in Springfield than we do in Bend, but it is colder here. Spring.... when will it come??