Walking tips and a mailbox

55 degrees

☁️ Cloudy and a little sun 🌥

Sunrise - 6:19 

Walked 6 miles 

A bit of a different post today.

Want to get started walking for exercise?

Here's a few suggestions and tips I've learned along the way.

Of course make sure you are healthy enough TO walk

and take it easy in the beginning.

First, you have to like to walk, a little bit anyway.  

If you hate walking and dread going for a walk maybe walking 

is not the exercise for you.  

It will be hard to stick to a walking routine if you hate it!

A good pair of shoes is a must.  

I've worn different brands throughout the years.  

Sometimes I've found a brand that was great and then it was discontinued 

so now when I find a shoe I really like, I buy a few pair at a time. 

Keen shoes are the ones for me - they are the best ones I've ever had.

I like that they have a wide toe area.

Another thing about shoes - if they don't feel great in the store

don't buy them.  You should not have to 'wear in' shoes.

Until recently I wore regular old socks.

Different people have told me how important socks are but I never listened.

I should have because they do make a difference.

I now wear Bambas socks - a bit pricey but worth every penny.

They give you extra cushion and just make my 

already comfortable shoes even better. 

You can walk in any kind of clothes that are comfortable.

Wearing layers is great and keeps me warm on those cold mornings.

I don't take water with me but you might like too.

(I drink when I get home)

What does come with me is my phone/camera, pepper spray, 

and sometimes a walking stick.

I also take a stick of sugar free gum - like to chew it if my mouth gets dry.

Find an area to walk in.

Your neighborhood is one place.

Sometimes that is not possible and you might have to drive somewhere.

Most areas have some kind of trails or walking paths.

If you are lucky you may live near a lake with walking paths.

I've walked in all kinds of places and if you really want to walk

you will find a place to go.

Now you are all set, you have the desire, socks and shoes,

comfortable clothes, and a place to walk.

It is good to have a time set aside for your walk.

I happen to like mornings but anytime is fine.

I find if you go the same time each day it becomes a habit

and you are more likely to stick to it.

Doesn't have to be every day - maybe for you every other day would work better.

Finding a friend to walk with you may be good for you.

(I prefer walking alone)

You will more likely go if someone is waiting for you.

Don't worry about how far or fast to walk.

Just start out walking at a normal pace, maybe a mile to start.

Or maybe just a half mile.

Another way would be to walk say for 15 minutes or half hour.

Do that every time you walk. 

Then increase the distance and time when you feel comfortable.

Consistency is more important than how far and how fast you go.

Distance and speed will come as you continue walking.

Taking pictures of things along your walk will keep things

interesting and you will be surprised at the things you see

while walking that you have passed many times and never saw before.

It's always nice to meet new people along your walk,

people who you would never know if you didn't walk.

It won't belong before you are enjoying your walk and when you see

and feel the benefits, it will encourage you to keep at it.

I've been taking morning walks for over 30 years now and

it has become part of who I am.

Hope this has encouraged someone to start walking.

😀 HAPPY WALKING 🚶‍♀️

Mailbox Number 2 is Dave and Joy's mailbox.

(not the walking Joy)

He like cows, milk bottles and milk cans.

Thanks for stopping by.

A happy day to you.

👩🏻‍🦳 happyone ❤️

Comment Replies:

Victor - I really do find all the gloves.  I usually find them on the main road that runs north and south in the county.  A lot of people in work trucks drive it.  I think the workers put their gloves on their trucks and forget about them. The gloves then fall off the trucks.  That's my theory anyway.