Riding a Vespa, as much fun as they are, doesn’t provide much in the way of exercise unless you’re pushing a dead one down a road. Exercise has become an important part of my existence since a heart attack in May and I’ve been exploring options for healthier behavior. I’ve not wanted to resort to communal exercise in a gym or health club. My cardiologist says I just need to move on a consistent basis so when I saw a reference to “walk ten thousand steps” on a list on David Masse’s Life on Two Wheels blog it started me thinking.
I passed William Snyder III’s Vespa painting while walking this evening. With the ten thousand steps in mind I walk more and have become more aware of my body in motion. During the past couple weeks I’ve averaged nearly ten thousand steps a day. On some days nearly fifteen thousand — each step contributing toward the development of a new habit.
Darkness and a light rain “forced” me into the car rather than ride the Vespa — a sensible choice that was somewhat deflated when I saw the little pink scooter parked along Allen Street in State College, Pennsylvania. At least it wasn’t a Harley. Then I really would have felt bad.
I lost the fire for walking but I’m not sure how or why. There was a time when my feet were in constant motion in town or on the trails that crisscross central Pennsylvania. I dreamt of walking the Appalachian Trail. I read Colin Fletcher’s The Complete Walker IV
Only makes sense to restore walking to my daily life.
My dogs taught me a lesson about movement — no special facility or location is required. It may be nice to wander the streets of State College but I don’t have to go out of my way to collect steps. The youngest Belgian Sheepdog in the house — Lily the Hammer — runs relentlessly through our .70 acre property following an intricate web of paths and trails. Watching her I pondered, “Why can’t I do that?”.
So rather than glue myself to one place while I toss tennis balls to exercise the dogs I’ve created my own web of walkways. So instead of a handful of steps during the morning ball throwing session I now routinely collect 2000 steps as I make my way up and down paths and in and around trees and shrubs.
One of many lessons taught to me by dogs.
I received a fitbit for Christmas which basically is a glorified pedometer/heart rate monitor and watch. Yesterday I did 10,000 steps. I am hoping it will help motivate me on my quest for better health. I know its a gizmo, but at this point anything that helps keep me on track is a good thing.
I’m finding that being able to watch progress through the day helps keep me motivated, or at least shamed into pushing on. I’m using a monitor on my iPhone to capture steps, miles, stairs and heart rate. Now if there was an app to monitor what’s going in my mouth…
I know about the food intake and my fitbit has that on it, but I just can’t bring myself to be that disciplined at this point. But I am changing the way we eat and what we eat. I’ve given up juice and pop for the most part and drinking more water.
Changing diet is tough. I had potato kale soup this morning instead of an egg and cheese bagel at the Pump Station. What’s next? Rutabagas???
10k steps is a great goal. I started there and became obsessed with walking and soon was doing 20k then 30k and more. Then came the 5k, 10k, marathons… And you’ve lost tons of free time. The lesson is don’t become obsessed by such activities be it walking or riding.
I hear you Richard about things becoming obsessive. It doesn’t happen often with me but when it does it’s a problem. I just want to establish some reasonable behaviors that can seamlessly integrate into my life without them having to become another scheduled event.
Hey Steve, good for you…its smart to look after your body now. I find when I’m not being active I miss it as my health was also deteriorating and now is much better…it only takes a change in attitude which you have obviously had to push us into that bit of exercise we need to live many more years. I hope you keep it up. I look forward to your writings and your scootering. Road my motorbike Christmas Day and loved it!
Brent
It’s been a slow habit for me to develop and still working at it. The heart attack as a backdrop helps motivate me. What’s nice in all of this is I do feel better during and after exercise and generally feel better all around.
Stay safe on the road and hope you have more rides ahead in the new year.
This is why there are bicycles. Low impact, greater range and you could get a Bianchi to stay in the boot. It would allow you to see all that lovely landscape even slower and a Bianchi in Celeste Green would make an excellent centerpiece in the photographs.
I’m going to get the bicycle out and revisit it. Not sure I’m ready to invest in Bianchi but I will explore moving along with the mountain bike I have. And you’re right about it providing a better view of the landscape — at least if I’m not gasping for breath!
The painting of the red Vespa appears three dimensional.
Wonderful!
It’s not so much the 10,000 steps rather simply keep
active; which in turn shall do perhaps as much good.
70 acres as a play area for the dogs? Yikes? All i can think
of what are your property taxes, even if the area is bush.
And iICollege is the large grilled automobile on the left, partially on the sidewalk???
Not walking anymore did not trigger your heart attack; suspect other factors
assisted . Bottom line, you’re still with us.
And this late evening December 28, it is now freezing rain outside;
am thinking of you in the mountains of Pennsylvania;
Tuesday morning could well be very interesting. A four-wheel
drive to work, unless you have the balance of this week off,
as many other similar institutions
Happy New Year to you Steve and your family!
Seventy acres — that would be nice. If you look closely there is a decimal point in front of the 70. I should have written it 0.70. Less than an acre we have but still plenty of space. The property tax on 70 acres here would be considerable.
No parking on the sidewalk in State College. What you’re seeing is an extension of the sidewalk at the corner that makes the truck appear to be over the line.
While not walking didn’t cause my heart attack walking is part of the mix to keep me generally healthy. I suspect my diet had more to do with it along with genetics. I’m just working to keep moving now.
The weather here has been and continues to be mild. They say next week it will start getting colder. The University is closed until Monday so I’m just relaxing until the return to work.
Happy New Year!
I’ve got nothing helpful to add Steve, I too am starting to think I need to exercise but the will isn’t there as it is with you. Hopefully, I’ll find the motivation without going through your experience.
Don’t wait for diabetes or heart disease. Make some changes now. Think of the URAL.
Walking is the staff of life.
Let’s hope so!
Thanks to all you treaders for the incentive and making the effort sound so pleasant.
Walking so far has been pleasant. It’s been warm though. We’ll see what happens when it’s below zero and windy…
Thought this place looked familiar. I recently just graduated from Penn State. Averaging a day ten thousand steps is quite impressive, especially in such a hilly region such as state college. Keep up the good work!
So far so good. The hills haven’t stopped me.