When my husband and I were looking for our first home in Denver, Colorado, my husband’s first priority was to be able to walk to work. To me, this was an idea as extreme as flying to Jupiter. I grew up in Texas, and it’s impossible to walk to almost anything in Texas’ automobile-crazed world. Finally, after an exhaustive search, we found a house I actually liked, and, thankfully, it was only a 30-minute walk to work for each of us. That was the beginning of my lifelong habit of walking, which I believe is the reason I have been able to live relatively healthily for 79 years, even with diabetes.
One of the most important advantages of walking is that it does not require any special equipment. I do not have to find a trainer, buy a bike, or even use a treadmill; I can simply go outside and walk. This advantage was made devastatingly clear to me when I recently visited a physician who recommended someone in his practice who specialized in exercise for older patients. I went to this “specialist.” He appeared to make some good suggestions and promised to send me a list of exercises that would help maintain my balance and flexibility. I expected the list to be words, which, as a lawyer, I could understand, and pictures of stick figures or real people doing the exercise. After a week, I received his list of exercises. The list had no words or pictures of people, either real or stick. Instead, the list consisted of pictures of machines, most of which I had never seen before and, consequently, had no idea how to use them. No, thank you very much, “specialist.” I do not want to hire a trainer to learn how to use these machines geared for much younger people, and I don’t want to use them by myself and risk hurting myself. I can exercise by walking without fancy, complicated machines meant to build biceps.
Walking has become part of my routine. When I was working, the only way to get home was to walk because I did not have a car at work. Even when I was exhausted, I had to walk. I would never have continued an exercise regimen that required me to drive home in rush hour traffic, change clothes, drive to a gym, and work out. I just walked out of my office with my work clothes on, and my exercise regime began.
The only problem with walking is that I live in Houston, which has many 90-100+ heat index days. In Colorado, I could walk in any weather, and I especially liked walking in cold and snowy weather. Now, I am too afraid of falling. However, in Texas, when it is too hot to go outside, I can walk in my air-conditioned apartment while listening to the news on TV or music on my iPhone. True, it is not as nice as walking outside, but it works.
Pick up any periodical about health and exercise, and you will be admonished to walk briskly for a certain number of minutes to meet the cardio requirements necessary for a healthy heart. I say, “Go for it,” but I am not going to join you. I like to walk at a steady pace that is not brisk in any respect. I realize how slow my “steady” pace is when I walk with my grandchildren. I can tell they must slow down to avoid leaving me several paces behind. I also learned that walking in Houston does not prepare me for walking in the forests of Tuscany or the wilds of Alaska. Houston does not have hills or mountains, and every time I try to walk anywhere with elevations, I am painfully aware of that.
Walking has been my savior since I have had diabetes for 48 years. Second to insulin, exercise reduces high blood sugar and helps me control my diabetes. Lately, I have learned that another advantage of walking is that it is weight-bearing. My bone scan about two years ago showed osteopenia approaching. My doctor suggested I walk more and use my stationary bike less. I took that advice, and my bone scans have shown no further deterioration.
I have tried other exercises over the years, but I always return to walking because I enjoy it. It not only helps me relax; it also helps me think. When I had a demanding law practice and three children, I longed for a few minutes to think. Walking to and from the office gave me that precious time. I solved problems for my clients that had eluded me when I was busy talking to my clients, directing associates, and drafting documents. Sometimes, my brain just needed silence and no immediate task. Walking still helps me when I need to think rather than simply do, including thinking about this article.
Although I have walked for over 50 years, I never counted my steps. However, most of my daughters and grandchildren count steps. I have been converted. I not only count my steps; I made a pathetic effort to compete. Needless to say, I always lose. My goal is to take 7,000-10,000 steps a day. I read that 7,000 steps a day keep your weight under control, and 10,000 steps help you lose weight. I have demonstrated that this is misinformation at its finest. Walking 10,000 steps may help control weight on a very good day, but it is no better than any other exercise.
Until I began walking, I hated all forms of exercise. I would much rather read a book. Because I actually like to walk, I will do it regularly. If I tried machines or other kinds of exercise, I would be lucky to do it once a week.
