Outnumbered Two to One

My neighbor and I have been walking.

Three days a week we meet outside my house, each of us behind our respective strollers and we walk. It takes us approximately thirty minutes to make it around the neighborhood lake at a fairly moderate pace. As we go we chit-chat about this or that. Sometimes we stop to check on her baby who usually by the midway point is pretty irate. It’s nice for the most part - people are at work, the streets are fairly deserted, and everything is quiet save for the occasional barking dog…and the wailing newborn of course.

We’re moving and it’s good that we’re moving. The problem is I don’t really feel like I’m exercising.

Sometimes I sweat, but I think it’s less from actual exertion and more from the rising atmospheric temperature. There’s no real muscle fatigue, no soreness the next day. By the time I get home, I kind of shrug, change my clothes and go about my business (usually in a sitting position). I actually think I’ve gained a pound or two, although I’m reluctant to climb on the scale, I know several of my pants are a little more snug at the waist, my muffin top a little more fluffy.

Could the walking be adding inches instead of melting them away?

Either way, I think it’s pretty obvious that just a leisurely, gossipy walk, isn’t going to get me the results I’m looking for. While the walks are a nice activity (not to mention informative), I can’t depend on them to build muscle or burn fat, unless I increase either the intensity or the distance. Something that’s a little tougher to do when you have a partner. So, while her presence has been somewhat of a motivator, I’ve come to the realization that it’s still ultimately up to me to change what needs changing, and sacrifice what needs sacrificing.

I’m not getting any younger.

On the horizon is decreased muscle mass, compromised bone density, a slower metabolism. Sure I’m walking…but so are the senior citizens that spend the better part of their morning pacing at the mall.

Before I know it I’ll be complaining about my sciatica, eating my dinners at 4:30, and trying to figure out how to get more fiber in my diet.

Well, I guess I could use more fiber in my diet…

Goals for this week…realizing the walk is more of a warm-up vs. the central activity of my exercise routine. So even though I’ll still go the thrice a week strolls, coming home will mean incorporating strength exercises, or possibly a visit with my Wii Fit, or if worse comes to worst…I’ll visit with my old pal Jillian and her Shred routine. Just thinking about it makes me tired.

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