be more physically active every day

1) periodically getting up to walk & stretch throughout the day, so I’m not just constantly perched in front of my computer
2) parking further from the stores, and walking the extra steps to the front door
3) watering the garden
4) finding at least one physically exerting, yet fun thing to do per week

It’s no where near enough to be called aerobic, but it’s more than I was doing before I started on this goal.

I think I’d like to begin going for a walk – even if it’s just 15 minutes – every day. I have a decent pair of sneakers; I just need to get actually started. GOAL: begin tomorrow morning, after coffee and before work.

Bend, lift, stretch, rotate. Stoop, squat, stand.

There’s lots of physical activity associated with unpacking after a move; I can absolutely feel the slightly sore, pleasantly stretched muscles.

This goal has been quite neglected. Once I get moved, I need to find a gym and a dance studio nearby – and make a specific schedule for taking dance classes (fun!) and working out.

I’m not putting any real focus on this goal at present – I’m mostly treating this as a “placeholder” to remind me of what I should be doing.

Should be according to whom? Well, according to me. And why do I think I should be more physically active every day? I think it would lead to tangible benefits: 1) it’d be a break, a change of pace from sitting at my desk 2) I’d sleep better if I exerted myself physically instead of just mentally 3) I’d gain more flexibility & strength.

So if there are all these perceived benefits, why aren’t I working on this goal? Fear of change? Laziness? Not sure where to start, other than taking the stairs as often as possible?

Until I identify WHY I’m not working on this, I don’t think much progress will be made.

My daughter is moving to Korea to teach English for a year; I spent the weekend helping her sort, pack, and move her stuff to storage. LOTS of bending, lifting, walking, pushing, pulling, stretching – it felt good to have the strength and endurance to do all this!

I went to DragonCon, and it was spread among 4 hotels. Lots of stairs, lots of hills, tons of walking!

Even though I packed what I thought were comfortable shoes, my feet were killing me by the end of day 2. I bought a pair of sneaker/sandal combination walkers, which helped tremendously.

My calves & feet kind of ache today, which means I need to keep moving more often so I build up more stamina.

Lifting and carrying the plants & containers; moving the dirt around; hefting the water can… each item is small but it adds up to activity overall.

A commentor mentioned that maybe the reason my feet hurt if I walk a lot could be that my shoes aren’t supportive and comfortable.

I think they were right.

I found a shop in Berkley, CA that sells “Footwear for People Who Walk” – I especially liked the Beautifeel, Pikolinos and Mephisto lines. I bought 10 pairs – a combination of sandals, everyday skirt-worthy casuals, and work shoes.

So far, they’re helping me be more active, as I don’t mind walking around when my feet don’t hurt.

I went up to NJ for a business trip this past week; came in on Sunday and went with a co-worker to see a matinee on Broadway. We walked. And walked. And WALKED. When I got back to the hotel, my feet were so tender I thought I’d hurt myself. I gave myself a foot rub that night, and again in the morning, which did help.

You know that is a doggone shame… to get to the point where I’m so unused to extended activity that my feet object to simply carrying me around for hours. We weren’t walking fast; we were on pavement – not some rocky and uneven hiking trail. My calves didn’t ache; my legs were fine – it was just my feet.

I want to promise myself that I will keep going on this goal. I really, really don’t want to become a prisoner of my own inertia.