After digging up one of my wife’s flower beds Sunday afternoon, I quickly discovered how bad of shape I’ve let myself get.
Pat concurred. She actually did a lot more bending over than I did because she was clearing out the weeds and raking the dirt to get it ready for planting, hopefully in the near future.
It didn’t take me long to get tired and she found a root she pulled on and got most of it, not doing her back any good.
We persevered, though, and nearly two hours after we began the project had it ready for her to plant flowers later whenever she decides.
She said Monday morning her back was still sore from bending over so much and I told her I have some muscles that are a little tender too.
We agreed that it we have no one to blame but ourselves. It’s time we do something about it.
Actually, a week ago, we walked one evening, probably a half mile or so.
But we hadn’t been unable to walk again. A few years back, once Daylight Savings time kicked in, we started trying to walk each evening in hopes of getting more exercise. We usually walked around a mile, some days a little less, some more.
Having our cell phones, it’s easy to keep track of the steps we are taking and how far we go.
Unless it was raining, snowing or the wind was blowing really hard and it was too cold, we were faithful in our walking. I’d guess we walked six, seven times a week.
For whatever reason, we stopped being as diligent about it.
I remember that once Daylight Savings ended in November, we quit because it was too dark and just didn’t start up again in the Spring like we should have.
We’re hoping to get back in the routine. It’s easy to let other things get in the way, but most the time we just found some excuse not too walk and we paid for it a little after our working in the flower bed Sunday.
An internist I was seeing about 40 years ago told me “it’s okay to walk all you want, I just don’t think you should run.” He added, “That’s because running is killing people.”
He was serious about his thoughts. I’m not saying he was right or wrong.
Walking provides relaxation. It provides time for Pat and I to visit about the day or sometimes we don’t say much and take time thinking.
All of those are positives for us. While walking is good exercise, these are some of the added benefits it provides.
Exercising more will help keeping us mentally more sharp, too, I believe, and I think right now considering the circumstances that is really important.
Eat a little healthier. Makes sense when I think about it with some of the health issues we have.