The Magic of Walking

I recently took up walking again.  Me and the pups go for 2-3 miles, 30-60 min, of walking around the neighborhood.  We walk as fast as we can (when Jack isn't stopping to mark every tree and bush in sight) and have gotten up to an average of 3.15 mph.  Not too shabby!  I started walking for the pups' health and my weight loss, but we get so much more out of it.

The health benefits are incredible!  You can lose weight, gain muscle and tone existing muscle.  Not just the legs and butt....but arms, shoulders, back, and core, too!  It improves cardiovascular and lung function.  It can lower your risk for diabetes, asthma, some cancers, dementia, and osteoporosis.  It can improve your sex life (who doesn't want that?!?!).  It gives you more energy during the day, while helping you sleep better at night.  And it relieves stress, anxiety, and depression through endorphins and increased serotonin levels.  WOW!

What I love most about walking, besides the weight loss, is the variety you can get from your walk.  Feeling excited or need to get pumped up? Put on your favorite fast paced music and go!  Need to reconnect with nature? Go on a slow stroll and look at your surroundings.  Need to get out of your head?  Walk at a decent pace with some meditation tracks.  Pissed off, sad, or depressed? It pulls you out of your funk.  Happy, excited, joyful? It magnifies your feelings tenfold. 

When I first started walking, I had trouble going.  So, I downloaded audiobooks to my phone.  When I really got to a book, I had a hard time stopping.  I wanted to keep walking until I finished the book.  I still listen to books often (right now I'm listening to George R. R. Martin's Dreamsongs Volume 2).  I forget that I'm exercising, forget to think about my troubles, and slip into happiness.  Plus, I love to multi-task, haha. 

A few months ago, I discovered a fitness/weight loss challenge called Say It, Sweat It, Get It by Erin Stutland on Facebook.  One of the perks was a "Soul Stroll" mp3 track.  It has upbeat music and mantras.  It was AMAZING!  It got me moving!  I actually got up early before work (6am) to do it.  WHAT?!?!  Anyone who knows me, knows I don't get up earlier than absolutely necessary.  I loved it so much, I bought the full "Soul Stroll Volume 1" from her website (and hope to get her Shrink Session program soon).  Go check it out.... http://shrinksessionworkout.com/soul-stroll-1/

I also just finished a 21 day Get Moving Challenge for her Wildly Alive Weight Loss by Nichole Kellerman Wurth.  Some of the days, the challenge was to walk 10-20 minutes.  It felt so wonderful, I always walked for longer.  Her program also incorporates workout videos (that burn so good), mantras, and mental exercises to shift your mindset into a more positive, self-love thinking.  I can not wait to try her full program!  Go check her out as well.... http://wildlyaliveweightloss.com/

Both of these ladies (and their programs) are amazing!  They are showing me how to love myself and get what I want out of life.  It is breathtaking the changes I've made.  Not only am I getting movement back into my life with their programs, I am rethinking what I want to do with my life.  But, that's for another day.  Until then....go get moving!