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Lose those kilos - walk that road!

January 30th 2007 02:49

Walk that road

Sometimes I feel a bit like the farm dog. I may “laze around” for days with not much more exercise than washing the floor or finger tap-dancing on the computer keys. Then, like the dog, I am suddenly expected to perform strenuous sustained exercise over three or four days. Dogs seem to cope – I think they must be able to store up energy, but it’s not that straight forward for me.

How do I have regular exercise in an isolated situation? Actually,I’m not sure why I find it such a chore. I think it is because I always want a reason to be going somewhere, and not just doing it because it’s good for my health. There are opportunities to power walk everywhere. I could check on the water level in a dam or make sure there aren’t any lambs stuck in the mud. (One day there was four- so I got my exercise that day!) Then I could check the mulberry tree for fruit. There is always a walk to get the mail twice a week and I should walk to the shed, not call up the radio when I want to talk to my husband. And let’s face it, if all else fails I can always go out in the bush paddock and collect more wood to start the home fires (good for the arm muscles) .
The gurus tell us there has to be some warm ups and then some puffing. Well I’ll be right – I live on a hill – warm up walking down the hill and puff to finish when I walk up the hill.

There really is no excuse. So what, if I am not one of those lucky ones who are able to power walk along the sea front or around some artificial lake! At least it’s a bit more interesting than on a tread mill in a noisy gym. And if the truth be known, I just have to get over the fact that I have to be walking for no other purpose than improving my health, because otherwise I will be stopping to do things all the time and not actually increasing the heart beat at all!
There’s actually several good things about exercising on the farm. I don’t have to walk on hard concrete – grass is so much easier on the feet. I just have to watch that I don’t fall down a rabbit hole or twist my foot on a large stone hidden in the paddock grass. Secondly, only the sheep see what I wear – except when I happened to dress in the worst gear possible and the amused neighbour catches me at some unearthly hour of the day on the road we share, toots, shakes his head and smiles – because he suspects – correctly, that this is indeed a rare occurrence. No gym gear or designer shorts for me - just a good hat and a decent pair of shoes.
OK it’s still technically New Year and so I can make a resolution. After being inspired by various saying like “start today” and “a journey of a million miles starts with the first step”, I should review my exercise regime.
Get over the excuses and trying to find reasons and walk that road! Now!

Living Rural - www.livingrural.net

Lose those kilos - walk that road!

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