April 2022 Blog Walking in Springtime

Walking in springtime. Sounds like a song title. 

Ready to get out and release the winter dust that may have descended during the chilly months? 

Let’s go for a walk. Maybe even more than once a day. 

Even 15 minutes a day of moderate-intensity walking can increase life expectancy by three years and lowers your risk of death by 14 percent, according to Health magazine. 

Ever since I was diagnosed with sciatica back in July and was advised to not do forward bends, I took to the sidewalks, and trails. I love a challenge. I had relied on my beloved yoga community to supply me with mindful movement strategies for years. Could I meet my same exercise quota through walks and weights? 

FITT is good to follow to ensure a successful workout. 

Frequency reminds one to move often.  

Intensity brings to mind the idea that for moderate exercise, you can carry on a conversation, and for intense movement, it would be difficult to sing while exercising (doesn’t everyone sing while working out? ;-)) 

Time involved… Set your intention, and timer. Don’t stop till you hear the buzzer. 

Type what fuels you? I’ve asked this before, “Are you a billy goat or a mermaid?” 

Do you prefer to walk/hike or swim/water aerobics? Or something else altogether? 

Use the Workout Log to create two weeks of fun activities. Duplicate to continue your plan.

It’s springtime. Add in an hour of yard work. 

Functional fitness = movement + getting stuff done. Win-win.

Have you noticed that names aren’t coming as easily as they formerly did? 

Ten minutes of light-intensity walking each day improves memory and focus. 

What is your favorite time of day? Stack a habit by stating your gratitude for early morning or dusk. Then tell yourself you’ll take that 10-20 minute walk right after your gratitude minute. Then do it!

In the colder months, I’ve been walking in the late afternoon when the sun is warmest. I put on sunscreen, sunglasses, and layers of clothing. Now that it’s warming up, I’ll go back to my early morning walks to the local dog park. I get some four-legged love, and up the hill, I go. Six to eight times. Then walk back to my house. Eighty minutes of blissful mobility. 

If you need help creating an exercise strategy, let me know. I am here for you. As an endorphin (the “feel good” hormone) junkie, I love to help other powerful 50+ women find what juices them when it comes to mindful movement. 

We can start slow or jump in and ramp it up if you’re already there. Need an accountability buddy? Grab a time here. I’m all over it. Let’s chat. Exercise is a big part of my secret sauce. I want you to have some too.

Upcoming: I’ll be offering the 3 Keys to Reduce Stress, Sleep Better, and Eat Tasty Treats while Losing Weight series on April 20-22, 2022 at 11 am MT for 60 minutes on Zoom and in the Health Wisdom for Women 50+ Sisterhood. It’s FREE. Sign-up information to come. Save the Dates!