Step by step

It’s been nine years now that I started trying to walk each day in hopes of getting more exercise. I usually try to walk around a mile, some days a little less, on some more.

With my cell phone on my hip, it’s easy to keep track of the steps I’m taking and how far I go.

Unless it’s raining or snowing or the wind is blowing really hard and it’s terribly cold, I try to walk sometime during the day.

But I must admit that over the past few months or so, I haven’t been nearly as diligent about it.

I’m needing to get back in the routine. Sometimes I find myself slacking a little, looking for an excuse not to walk. The only one I really have to blame is myself.

My wife Pat and I recently have begun walking together. We were doing that pretty regularly up to a year or two ago, then we just got out of the habit once Daylight Savings Time ended in the fall.

It’s also easy to let other things get in the way, but most the time that is just an excuse. We’ve talked about walking inside like at the mall when there is inclement weather, but so far that’s the extent of it.

A doctor I was seeing many 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.

Some people prefer running, others power walk and then there are plenty of those, who like me, just walk.

What I have found when I was walking regularly is it provides relaxation. It provides time for solitude, reflection, even meditation. It lets me clear the cobwebs so to speak.

Early in the morning I try and ensure that I spend some time reading, even praying. I’ve found most every day begins better if I do.

Sometimes, when walking alone, I start out my walks by praying, primarily for family members, relatives, close friends, law enforcement officers, those in the military and others.

I’ve found walking provides a time for thinking and reflecting on the past as well.

I was reflecting the other day on the more than 45 years Pat and I have been married, raising our daughter Meghan, walking her down the aisle over eight ago, having a grandson who is now 5½ years old. And Meghan’s husband Terry is a great guy and wonderful father to Liam.

All of those are positive thoughts for me. And I make an effort to be positive these days. It’s easy to get in the negative. It takes work to be positive.

Fortunately, I discovered that while walking is good exercise, these are some of the added benefits it provides.

Even though I didn’t necessarily start walking and exercising to drop weight, I am down two pants sizes.