Walkabout

Ever since spring has made it's appearance , I've been faithful to my daily "walkabout" the neighborhood. 

Around noon, I put on my walking shoes and do a 1 to 1-1/2 mile trek.  The path leads me down hills that I then must come back up.  I feel the burn in my calves and the pull in my hamstrings, as well as the sun on my face and the fresh air in my lungs. It's good to be part of the great outdoors, at least for a half hour midday.

I'm not adverse to walking outdoors in the winter months. But more often than not -- given older bones that seem to chill from the inside out much faster than in my younger days; the shorter, darker days; and just plain hibernation instincts -- I usually end up on the elliptical during the long, dreary days between January and March. I love the elliptical, but I definitely miss my daily dose of Vitamin D and fresh air.

So when the temperatures turn warmer, I need to get outside.  In fact, my kids have put me in the habit of an after dinner walk, giving me a double dose of outdoor exercise most days.

Did you take a walkabout today? Or did you stay stuck at your desk, breathing fresh air only through the sun roof on your way home from work?

Getting out to walk isn't as hard as it seems. Try these ideas to get moving:

• Set a simple goal to get started.  Set a distance and pace that works for you. Build up your speed as you get more comfortable.
• Choose some alternative routes to keep from getting bored. Every so often I like to go to the nearby lake and do the walking trail for a couple of loops. Or I do my route in reverse for a change of pace.
• Use a walk as an excuse for family time. Talk, share, and bond with each step. You'll be amazed by the things that kids come up with when the conversation is more relaxed and less rushed. And you'll be setting them up with a healthy habit that will last a lifetime.
• Aim for consistency. Walk everyday and you will notice a difference.

Even if you're type-A, ultra competitive, you don't need to train for the Olympic fun walk to benefit from walking.  Just find time to walk - every day - and quickly you'll be feeling better and doing something good for yourself.  Of course, as with any exercise program, make sure you check with your doctor or health care professional.

Walkabouts were for the aborigines a spiritual trek, a journey that represented a passage of time. You, too, can get into the spirit of walking by just experiencing the neighborhood right outside your door.