Everyday, the concept of “getting healthy” is being shoved in our faces. The latest exercise equipment, the magic pill for weight-loss or how to lose 25lbs by eating chocolate!
The ones that make me laugh are these exercise ‘things’ that the spokesperson claims to guarantee success, but wait, there’s more! Not all of us have $2,000 to spend on exercise equipment that lets us work parts of our body with little effort. Hey, I have an idea…go for a walk twice a day and make some changes on what you eat and how you cook your food!
Going outside is free, you get fresh air and you’re working out your “whole” body, including your brain.
Changes on what you eat just takes research or a visit with a Nutritionist at your Doctors office.
How you cook your food, also takes research and you can find most of it on the Internet. You can check out Village Bakery which has homestyle cooking tips and resources to give you a jump start.
Let me tell you a little story…
Mia and I went on a walk in the spring on a quest to find a lost dog.
I loaded myself up with distraction treats (for Mia, not me), put on my good walking shoes and off we went.
I made a conscious effort to try and walk fast enough so Mia was at a slow trot and not a walk.
Good for her and good for me. I watched her looking around, staring down the Robin on the sidewalk, pouncing on a leaf that blew by (yeah, leaves are more important than walking in a heel position) and looking up at the sky when an airplane flew by. Mia was trotting and looking around all all these things, but wasn’t distracted to the point of ignoring me if I gave her a “watch me” command, because a tiny treat was the reward. She’s such a good girl!
We continued to walk and I found myself spotting all within 30 seconds:
a cute little Chipmunk scurring up a tree
a Blue Jay perched on the lower branch
above the Blue Jay, a quirky and interesting semi-broken branch that would make for a really cool accent in a large floor vase
in the distance behind that branch, was the window to a house with some really pretty curtains…hmmm I’d love to get new curtains
My brain got such a workout just by looking and naturally following the path of “things”. We continued the walk and found myself doing this over and over again.
After about an hour, Mia and I ended up at Mount Albion waterfall where we took a moment to rest. Mia plunked herself on one of the really big rocks and just looked around. Not one of her most proud photography moments! What I observed were families visiting this amazing tourist attraction (which is minutes from my home), some taking pictures, most people were buried in their smart phone texting or doing whatever and of course the lovebirds playing kissy kissy as if nobody was watching.
Taking stock of how I was feeling and although I was getting tired, I felt great! Now, I can guarantee you that the way I was feeling at that moment, I have never, ever felt like that using my treadmill.
Why?
it’s really simple… on the treadmill, I’m looking at a wall, maybe the TV is on, or I’m listening to music and doing the treadmill thing.
How inspiring is that? But, on my walk, my brain was getting so much of a workout as I was looking around and my body got the same working because I was keeping my pace fast enough so Mia was at a gentle trot.
Keeping with the topic of “getting healthy”, because the walks outside are so mentally and physically satisfying, some of the most creative ideas pop into my head during these walks. I carry my smartphone to voice record something that is mega inspiring and to take some quick pictures. Mia gets the same type of benefits that I do and the best part…the walk didn’t cost me a plunk nickle.
Updated side note: I recently saw an episode of Chef Michael Smith using a fancy cooking method called Sous Vide, which really intrigued me. I looked it up, did some research and here’s a website called Sous Vide Wizard that has a ton of information on the cooking method including some free videos.
I'd love to hear from you...
I would love to hear your stories of an interesting walk you’ve been on that inspired some type of creativity. Please share in the comments below.
It’s always easier to walk as a form of exercise if you live in an area where you enjoy the environment around you. An area that has more to offer then just streets, sidewalks and buildings makes your walk more relaxing and enjoyable. Gisele and I did less walking when we lived in the core of the city, we still live in the city but now we have so much more of a scenic area to enjoy.
Then there is our exercise machine Mia, you really want a workout run around with a dog that has energy to burn.
About a year ago I installed a Pedometer on my phone and have found that we have walked over 1500 KM and that has only been when I remembered to turned it on. To put some perspective on that we live in Hamilton, Ontario and it would be like walking to Florida in the south or to Winnipeg in the west or Prince Edward Island in the east. To the north it is on an Island some where in Hudson Bay called Flaherty Island.
That’s a lot of walking.
and that’s why we were burning out out running shoes once a month!
Like yourself, Gisele, walks are a part of a pet parent’s routine. I’m not sure how many creative ideas I actually get during the first walk of the morning, when I am looking out for other dogs and stray cats who might distract us, but the fun starts when we complete our round and settle in the back garden of my housing complex for Miss Coco’s treat time of rolling in the grass. That is the time when I do some contemplation and just enjoy the trees and morning breeze. The quiet time of being in nature with a best friend gives me a relaxed and composed start to an otherwise busy day when anything can happen.
PS. I’d love to learn how to each that much cake and still lose weight. I’m a black forest cake fan. 🙂
Vatsala, I’m sure there is a website out there that will tell you how much of a walk you’d have to do to break even with eating a slice of black forest cake 🙂
I log my food and exercise in my Weight Watchers app and the more walking I do (along with any type of exercise), it gives me back points that I can put towards something if necessary.
For me… pretzels and sweet potato hummus is my Kryptonite 🙂
I so enjoyed your walking story and it is inspirational.I really need to get myself moving = healthy and I am sure my dog would enjoy it also. I do walk her and him LOL I have 2 but the walks are not long. I am hoping when fall gets here I will do more. Oh I can always find an excuse not to exercise. So thank you for sharing your story.
giggling at your reply Sue 🙂 Fall is a much nicer time to walk with the cooler temperatures and the leaves changing. It’s my favourite time of the year.
Hi Gisele,
I do like to walk and am able to walk up around our community college. I like it in early evening as the college has many apple trees and the deer are out feeding on the apples and don’t mind you walking near them. I have spent money in the past on gym and equipment but have accomplished weight goals through home exercise and walking. You are right about listening to the birds and how peaceful it is.
Hi Kathy, that must be a nice site to see the deer feeding! Next time you hear the birds chirping, close your eyes, listen only to the chirping and after a bit, you might start to see images based on what you hear.
The only exercise so to speak that I will & have done is walk. However, without making excuses, I dropped it out and now, when I want to, it is difficult. So I have my task cut out for me and that is to start with 10 minutes a day. I also intend to get up from the computer every hour and do leg lifts in the morning. I love being outside and relish everything nature has to offer. I might notice a flower in a garden and see colors together I had not thought of putting together. I get more mental ideas when I drive but being outside refreshes and I’m often in awe.
Getting up from the computer is so important. Not only does your body need a stretch, but your eyes need a break. You can try setting an egg timer or a timer on your phone to reminder you to get up at least once an hour. It’s hard though when you are creating something, are in right brain mode and get interrupted 🙂
Starting to walk 10 minutes a day is a great start. Then every week after that, just add 5 minutes.
I love walking, especially around scenic spots. Our Pugalier, Roxy, loves it too though we don’t get to do it as often as we like. My wife and I joined a gym as she finds she can work out better in a controlled environment. Though I do go and do weights and cardio there, I find walking on a treadmill for an hour to be the most mind numbing experience way to get healthy I have ever tried. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on walking and I think Mia is a very lucky girl to get to go on walks around your area. Cheers, Ian
I hear you about the treadmill being mind numbing. I’ve tried putting my tablet on the front part and I’ll watch a webinar or something, but guaranteed, I’ll need a pen and note paper for some “ah ha” moment. When it’s too hot outside or rainy, I’ll just watch some you tube videos, but even that sometimes, I get quite antsy.
Thanks, Gisele for your suggestion to set a timer. It has gone off & I wasn’t ready to stop so I stood in front of the computer and finished what I was into. When there is a will, there are many ways to make it happen.
Roz, hae you heard of the Pomodoro technique? Basically tasks are broken up into 25 minute chunks. You take breaks in between tasks which keeps you productive. I’ve included the origial website here, which is a bit busy: http://pomodorotechnique.com/
and you can use a free timer here which only works in Chrome: http://tomato-timer.com/
My only complaint about this technique is when I’m on a roll painting something and the timer goes off, I find it hard to get back into that right brain mindset. But for regular daily computer based tasks, it’s pretty good. I also listen to binaural beats to help focus.
Walking is a wonderful form of exercise – minimal equipment (good shoes), you can do it rain or shine, and INSPIRATIONAL as can be!! I also like running for the same reason; I add bike riding into the mix as well. Nothing beats exercise for clearing my mind, coming up with solutions to problems, and seeing the world through a different lens.
I limit my time on a treadmill to days when the weather makes outdoor activities challenging – and then I look out the window. Not the same, that’s for sure, but I try to at least have a reasonable view:)
Great post, Gisele!
Hey Deb! I wish I could train Mia to run beside me on a bike. I can picture her bolting after a squirrel LOL!!!
Walking/jogging in nature and drinking plenty of water are my top tips to stay healthy and enjoy life.
I completely agree with you Gisele that many people complicate things too much and make it such a hassle to stay fit and happy!
Joe and I are blessed to live in city that has been coined “The Waterfall Capital of the World and has several hundreds of trails including the Bruce Trail. You’d never be bored 🙂
Hi Gisele,
What a great post and very creative as I know that exercising and being healthy should not cost much at all! Going for walks or hikes are so good for breathing in all the fresh air and just enjoying nature and a great way to stay in shape 🙂
Thanks Joan! Way, way back when I had my internet tv show, Harrison (before he joined the army), Joe and I would hike the Dundas Valley Conservation Area and Apps Mill and look for scenes to paint and film. Sometimes, nothing would pop out at me, but each of us carrying a full size backpack with camera equipment, we got so much of a workout, that along was worth the hike 🙂
I totally agree with you. Walking outside is way better than walking on a treadmil. I do 15 minutes power walk every morning (before 7am). It’s much cooler and quiet, so I can be myself and appreciate where I live and what I have today. During my walk, I usually come up with some great ideas 🙂 I believe why we do exercises is to enjoy life by doing what we love to do (what matter to each person). I don’t like some people think that exercises can be done only in the gym…. We can do exercises anywhere we want! Thank you for sharing and I really enjoyed reading this 🙂
I do agree that walking outside is great – though I do like walking on a treadmill – something about the ‘zoning” I get done to think clearly without distractions like walking into traffic!! LOL. Though I have found that there are days when just being outside; walking around, feeling the grass or sand beneath my feet – that totally grounds me and make me grateful and energized. Now that it’s getting a little cooler, and my exercise routine is new, I think I may add outdoor walks in the AM, and continue with my other workouts too. I do agree, there are so many fad to “health” these days.