A few weeks ago I started going for a daily walk. I admit, the pandemic gave me the excuse to be sedentary, but since I started walking every day, I've been able to see things differently, give myself some me time and (though I'm a bit in denial about this one), get some exercise.
As Spring turned into Summer and now to Fall, I've seen my family develop some good routines, and getting daily activity has been an important one. With two teenage boys, it's been important for them to remain active. My youngest son is a competitive soccer player who hasn't been able to play in months. For him, activity has been key to healthy well being. He's been going for socially distant bike rides with friends, shooting hoops and walking and jogging. My older son has also been walking daily. Both boys have started working out together with some basic equipment we cobbled together in the basement. My husband has been going on walks as well, so I decided to give it a try, and I didn't hate it.
The walks are sometimes with various family members and sometimes on my own. I hate exercising in general, but I'm at an age now that I need to move, and I need to be smart about knowing that I need to move. I try and motivate myself to think about how I will feel after my walk. How I'm less likely to eat junk, how much better I feel and how I'm doing something to look after myself.
I've taken simple pleasure in making an energetic play list, stretching before I head out and taking time to enjoy my neighbourhood and the changing seasons. The pleasure of watching the leaves change every day is something we all take for granted, but more of us seem to be enjoying it this year.
With so many limits on what we can and can't do, where we can and cannot go and what is open and what is closed, walking is a free, simple easy activity everyone can do either alone or with your family.
Happy walking,
Sara-Lynne
