Over the years my strategies for keeping fit have bounced from walking, to swimming laps, to yoga, then there was the going to the gym phase, followed by riding my bike, then hot yoga, and now back to the walking. I can't do any one thing for too long without it feeling like drudgery. Right now I am deep into walking again. When the weather is decent (and my definition of decent has broadened) I love finding a good trail in the woods.
Something very good happens inside my brain when I am walking on leaves and around tree roots, rocks, and streams. Ideas fly around inside my head at a faster rate of speed when I am outside walking. I think about things to do and places to go and stuff to make. Sometimes I solve mysteries.
Lots of times though, I don't think at all while I'm hiking. I just look around in wonder at how darn pretty everything is in the woods. It's the endorphin effect. The perfect antidote to my naturally curmudgeonly nature.
Gorgeous!!!
Posted by: jacki long | 02/08/2015 at 02:32 AM
Walking is the best-its free, doesn't requuire any extra equipment and you can do it anywhere, anytime. We've had a good winter for walking--there have only been a few days so far that i couldn't walk outside and had to go the the Mall (shudder0 to walk. I love walking.
Posted by: Janet Ghio | 02/08/2015 at 07:32 AM
Two thumbs up for walking. We're headed out to the park again today. Wonderful February weather. Hope to see a couple of bald eagles. :)
Posted by: Judy H. | 02/08/2015 at 11:29 AM
Curmudgeonly? I hardly think so. However, being outside is sooo good.
Posted by: Caroline | 02/08/2015 at 12:57 PM
We don't have woods here except in the mountains at an elevation of over 5000 FT up to 8500 FT which is barely suitable for walking, more like a steep hike which is not the same as walking.
I do love to walk outdoors rather than on a treadmill (walking, going nowhere) or the mall (Yuk)
Being amidst natural things does something for the soul...reconnects us to the whole of nature which is akin to connecting to self since we are part of it. Think of how many hours, days, weeks, years people never connect to the natural world!
That's what I love about birding...you never know what you'll see, smell, hear, and it's all wonderful.
Posted by: Joan | 02/08/2015 at 01:00 PM
Just seeing is such a blessing while you walk outdoors.
Posted by: Maureen | 02/08/2015 at 03:14 PM
Are walking in the woods is curtailed by two feet o' snow. How did you escape the snow madness?
Posted by: Loretta | 02/08/2015 at 08:05 PM
You and your sister, Mary Ann, have the most interesting blogs around. You are witty, informative, creative, and talented. Thank you for putting the fun in my day and giving me ideas that enrich my life, in each and every post!
Posted by: Susan Kettner | 02/11/2015 at 11:29 AM