If you happen to see me along River Road, bent over, heaving, and clutching my calf muscle, feel free to wave and pass on by. I am in no danger, and Matt is a half block ahead of me ready to come to the rescue. Apparently, one can’t put up their feet for six months, while eating chocolate and chips, without getting even more out of shape than they were before the said lack of activity. Anyone else starting a new exercise program so they can be bathing suit ready by June 30th?
Our current exercise of tor — choice is called Power Walking, Speed Walking, or sometimes Race Walking. From my perspective it should be called Every Muscle Screaming “Stop! You’re Killing Me,” Walking.
But I don’t want to deter any of you. In fact, I encourage you to get out and try it. My twenty dollar book, available at chapters, called Walking for Fitness by Nina Barough promises all sorts of benefits:
· Reduces tension and stress
· Tone and strengthens
· Helps manage weight
· Boosts immune system
· Increases bone strength
· Detoxes the body
· Improves energy level
What’s not to love about those? In the back of the book there are calendars for working your way up to your goals, from beginner (4 miles a week) to extreme (42 miles a week!) We are on the minutes-per-week calendar and so far haven’t surpassed twenty minutes of Power Walking at one time. It might have something to do with the week-long breaks of no-walking-at-all we’ve been taking in between.
Don’t worry, you don’t have to buy a book to begin Power Walking; although it makes a great coffee table addition or conversation starter. There’s lots of info and technique advice available on the net.
I’ll let you know how our progress goes; so far, Matt down four pounds and Lisa up two.
What are you doing to get in shape this summer?