I have the time

The halfway point in my 3+ mile walk.

Usually on Sunday mornings, I do a 3+ mile walk in a local park. For a long time now I have been out of the habit. I tell myself that I don’t have the time. This is funny since I work for myself and make my schedule.

 I have learned in my work as a life coach that mindset can affect whether a client does or does not do something. Several years ago, I had a client who loved swimming. She joined a gym with a pool and then hired me to help her develop a schedule that included swimming. A month after we finished, I checked in. She admitted she wasn’t swimming. I started asking her questions like “What do you like about swimming?’, “Why do you swim?”, etc. She admitted that swimming outdoors is what she loved. She needed a mindset change to swim indoors. I suggested she focus on swimming a great total body workout each time. Eventually, she began swimming at the gym pool. Today, she lives in an apartment building with a pool.

 When it was time for my walk, I asked myself what was on my to-do list. The only thing I had to do was write this blog post. Then, I told myself that I had the time to take the 3+ mile walk. Even on the walk as I felt the urge to turn and go back, I reminded myself I had the time.

Benefits of walking:

1.    Trim your waistline and counteract the genes that promote weight gain

2.   Boost mood

3.    Eases joint pain

4.   “Boosts immune function. Walking can help protect you during cold and flu season. A study of over 1,000 men and women found that those who walked at least 20 minutes a day, at least 5 days a week, had 43% fewer sick days than those who exercised once a week or less. And if they did get sick, it was for a shorter duration, and their symptoms were milder. — Harvard Health Publishing

5.    Gets your heart rate up which is good for your heart and your overall health

Things to keep in mind when setting up a walking routine:

1.    is to have the right gear,

2.   Start slow and work up to a brisk pace

3.   to keep track of your walks, so you can see your progress.

These days, my walk is a ruck walk, meaning I wear a weighted vest when I walk (learn more here). Before you start rucking, consult a fitness trainer or doctor. You want to make sure it is right for your body and you. The worst thing we can do is exercise in a way that hurts our bodies and health.