Smart Senior

Okay, you’ve been walking every day for a couple of weeks. You can now make it to the end of the block, or around the block, without feeling breathless. You are either feeling pretty good about yourself, or you are bored out of your mind. “The honeymoon is over,” and you have to decide whether or not walking for the “health of it” is for you.
What will it take to keep you walking?
I keep walking because I have a dog that expects lengthy outings, and it is a good way for me to keep up with my favorite authors (listening to books on tape, CDs or downloads). These two endeavors find me out on the trail every single day of the week. As a result, I am in reasonably good shape and I have listened to everything on the best seller list.
When I first started, back in the day, I listened to a Jane Fonda tape with peppy music and motivational chatter. It was fun, but now that I am older, I am more interested in a steady but lengthier pace. Keeping it simple has kept me walking:
Choose convenience. Sure, it is nice to walk at the park, at the mall, or even the local gym, but driving to and from will take more time than the walk itself. Local neighborhoods are the most popular places to walk.
Matching head and wrist bands, gadgets, gizmos, poles or weights are not what makes you a walker. Simply put, a good pair of walking shoes is the only equipment needed.
It is nice to have a walking buddy, but they aren’t as easy to find as you might suppose. First of all, people are seldom reliable. More often than not they will try to erode your confidence, and if you aren’t careful you will be joining them on the couch.
Generally speaking, walking is a solitary pursuit. This is actually a good thing. Think of your walk as “me time.” You, alone with nature, you alone with your thoughts, or you relaxing with up-lifting music or a good book.