With resolutions of weight loss common for many people at this time of year, I thought I would share with you my light bulb moment on the weight loss subject.
I have always kept myself in shape but I have noticed as I have got older, its harder to keep my weight in check as well as motivate myself when joints get sore to actually get out and do something. Feeling a bit down about it one day, I just happened to bump into my personal trainer who had recently stopped work to have her first baby and she looked terrific.
Only 2 months after the birth, she was back to her old self, not an ounce of baby weight anywhere. After complimenting her on how she had managed to get back into shape so quickly, I asked her what she had done. This is the light bulb moment bit – she walked, pushing bub in her buggy for 1 hour everyday trying to get her little one to sleep. Walking was what had removed her extra baby weight, no strange diets or regimes, just plain old walking. That got me thinking.
There are times that I really can’t be bothered going for a run or a bike ride, so I can use walking as a “filler’ exercise that will get me moving, albeit at a slower pace, because walking is better than doing nothing at all.
In 1 hour, I can speed walk 6km’s, so I am not hanging about, but not fast enough to join the speed walking championships for 2014. I walk fast enough to be comfortable whilst elevating my heart rate to do some good at the same time, you'll find your own comfortable pace.
It’s not just about burning extra calories though; I have “discovered” walking has other benefits too:
- It sets my mind up for the day
- The sun feels welcoming
- The rain feels exhilarating
- Getting sweaty is motivating
- The vitamin D is benefiting
- The surroundings can be inspiring
- It keeps my emotions in check
- It’s a complete tonic
We all have 24 hours in the day, we just choose to spend them the way we see fit, so I urge you to make walking a new habit for 2014 starting today. Once you have done something over and over for a period of time, it naturally becomes a habit so by walking for 1 hour every day for a week, you are well on your way to your new norm.
Devote just 6 hours of your week to yourself, (allow yourself a day off if you wish) time when you will go for your walk, sort through your thoughts and emotions, get your blood flowing a bit quicker and take in your surroundings. Now I don’t think of it as an exercise filler, but as my walk time, part of being me.
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