Thank you for a wonderfully straightforward article on the power of walking. The writing is lively and full of practical wisdom. I appreciate the emphasis on how simple habits, like walking, can yield profound health benefits for body and mind. It's a brilliant reminder to get moving, no matter where we are.
Thanks, Jon! We need to get back to some of the simple things. Being happy and healthy can be complicated, but it doesn't have to be. As comments have said on this post, motion is lotion, and motion is medicine.
So true. As a primary school teacher I never sit during the day and have volunteered for every playtime and lunch duty as it really helps your mood as you move.
I didn't realize how much a needed daily walks until we got a dog and had to walk him. And now I crave those walks. Movement is medicine. Walking is free. And yes put away the phone and just take in the surroundings you are in. Whether it is within nature or just walking in a downtown center. Clears the mind. Mostly everyone I pass on my walks always have ear buds in their ears listening, talking and scrolling something..
Yeah, dogs are a great walk motivator! Our cat, not so much.
My goal is to hit 8000 steps a day, so I've been doing my best to go no matter what the weather is and either walk or job. It's crazy how everyone is plugged in 24-7, isn't it? Walking or running with no digital input is rare.
Danni, I didn't even read replies before I wrote mine and I wrote the exact same thing. I crave the walks, the fresh air, and the nature with my doggo 😊
Ironically, I just came back from a walk and read this! Loved it, really validated my habit. Good to know, I won't be dying (or there are less chances of me dying) anytime soon!
Wait...what?? People are washing popcorn? I don't get it.
But I cosign EVERYTHING else you wrote here!! I put in nearly 4000 steps before I even turn the coffee pot on. That's what having a big, active dog will do for ya! We're out the door first thing, rain or shine. And then she gets another big one in the evening. YES to the mental health part, the creativity part, the mood boosting, etc. Maybe it's the dog, maybe it's the walk. Likely both!
Walking is my favorite exercise. I recently went on a couple of bike rides, and the exercise high from doing that was amazing! So I may have to rethink my exercise plan to include more bike riding.
I usually walk or run myself. But I always forget about the bike. Biking is another great way to get outside and destress, especially if you have good trails or safe places to go.
Terrific piece, so fun to read😂. If I may add one additional benefit— the Alzheimer’s experts I’ve read have exercise/walking in their top three recommendations for strengthening memory and brain, two things that go well with a longer life!
Such great points and information. I started a couch to 5k walk or run challenge at my office. I also put together a just walk more plan. I'm trying to get everyone moving and off their butts!
Here's an interesting quote I've pulled (Greek Athletic Sports And Festivals, by
Edward Norman Gardiner) from a some research I'm doing on ancient Greco-Roman culture: "The prominence given to exercises for developing the important muscles of the trunk is interesting, because the careful representation of these muscles in Greek sculpture and on vases shows that they were developed to a marked degree by the athletic exercises of the Greeks. Wrestling, jumping, and throwing the diskos all helped to develop these muscles. The absence of light clothing round the waist contributed to the same result, and, above all, the fact that the Greek stood and walked, but seldom sat. In the present day these muscles are the worst developed of all muscles in the ordinary man, a result due partly to the character of our games, partly to our clothing, chiefly to our habit of sitting, and sitting in a radically wrong position." (Gardiner, 2019)
Bravo Tim, this is an awesome essay! I appreciate you shouting this message from the rooftops because sometimes we lose our common sense about simple things.
Okay, I'll admit it – the part about being 'sedentary as f***' made me laugh out loud (and then slightly ashamed of my Netflix binges). But in all seriousness, this article is a great reminder that walking is a simple yet powerful way to improve our health and well-being. And hey, if it helps me unleash my inner creativity and come up with brilliant ideas (or at least remember what I went to the grocery store for), I'm all in!
Nice article! Question- is walking and looking at my phone bad if I'm looking at it to read an article about the benefits of walking?
I’ll allow it!
😁👍🏻
Thank you for a wonderfully straightforward article on the power of walking. The writing is lively and full of practical wisdom. I appreciate the emphasis on how simple habits, like walking, can yield profound health benefits for body and mind. It's a brilliant reminder to get moving, no matter where we are.
Thanks, Jon! We need to get back to some of the simple things. Being happy and healthy can be complicated, but it doesn't have to be. As comments have said on this post, motion is lotion, and motion is medicine.
So true. As a primary school teacher I never sit during the day and have volunteered for every playtime and lunch duty as it really helps your mood as you move.
I didn't realize how much a needed daily walks until we got a dog and had to walk him. And now I crave those walks. Movement is medicine. Walking is free. And yes put away the phone and just take in the surroundings you are in. Whether it is within nature or just walking in a downtown center. Clears the mind. Mostly everyone I pass on my walks always have ear buds in their ears listening, talking and scrolling something..
Yeah, dogs are a great walk motivator! Our cat, not so much.
My goal is to hit 8000 steps a day, so I've been doing my best to go no matter what the weather is and either walk or job. It's crazy how everyone is plugged in 24-7, isn't it? Walking or running with no digital input is rare.
Tim this is so true. It's nearly improbable to see another human walking that's NOT plugged in.
Danni, I didn't even read replies before I wrote mine and I wrote the exact same thing. I crave the walks, the fresh air, and the nature with my doggo 😊
Makes me want a dog even more
Great post. I love how you add humor along the way. "Walk like you mean it. You can TiK TaK later."
Good advice with entertainment. 😻
Yes, walk like you mean it!
I'm going on a walk now.. because dying less is the best motivator!! 😂
Just trying to get right to the point! There’s nothing more demotivating than dying
Ironically, I just came back from a walk and read this! Loved it, really validated my habit. Good to know, I won't be dying (or there are less chances of me dying) anytime soon!
Love the synchronicity! I just came back for a short walk myself
Hahaha, that's great!
Wait...what?? People are washing popcorn? I don't get it.
But I cosign EVERYTHING else you wrote here!! I put in nearly 4000 steps before I even turn the coffee pot on. That's what having a big, active dog will do for ya! We're out the door first thing, rain or shine. And then she gets another big one in the evening. YES to the mental health part, the creativity part, the mood boosting, etc. Maybe it's the dog, maybe it's the walk. Likely both!
I know you’re out walking! But you’ve never washed a bowl of popcorn?!?
Like, after it's empty? Or what?? Never even heard of washing popcorn 🍿 😕
Hahaha - I just threw that in there
🤣
me neither? is that a Canadian thing? washing popcorn?
It's not Canadian because I'm Canadian 🤣 Tim and I live mere hours apart from each other. I don't know what his excuse is!
🤣
Walking is my favorite exercise. I recently went on a couple of bike rides, and the exercise high from doing that was amazing! So I may have to rethink my exercise plan to include more bike riding.
I usually walk or run myself. But I always forget about the bike. Biking is another great way to get outside and destress, especially if you have good trails or safe places to go.
I enjoyed reading this. The benefits of walking are so clearly laid out. I will be passing this on. Thanks 🙏
Thanks, for all of the positive feedback, Barry!
I love the easy to follow steps you wrote, showing people how easy it is to stay healthy. I also liked the jokes!
Thanks for commenting, glad you liked the humor!
Terrific piece, so fun to read😂. If I may add one additional benefit— the Alzheimer’s experts I’ve read have exercise/walking in their top three recommendations for strengthening memory and brain, two things that go well with a longer life!
Wow, that’s an important point. Thanks for mentioning it, we all need to take care of our brains!
Such great points and information. I started a couch to 5k walk or run challenge at my office. I also put together a just walk more plan. I'm trying to get everyone moving and off their butts!
That’s great! I hope you get all your co-workers moving
Here's an interesting quote I've pulled (Greek Athletic Sports And Festivals, by
Edward Norman Gardiner) from a some research I'm doing on ancient Greco-Roman culture: "The prominence given to exercises for developing the important muscles of the trunk is interesting, because the careful representation of these muscles in Greek sculpture and on vases shows that they were developed to a marked degree by the athletic exercises of the Greeks. Wrestling, jumping, and throwing the diskos all helped to develop these muscles. The absence of light clothing round the waist contributed to the same result, and, above all, the fact that the Greek stood and walked, but seldom sat. In the present day these muscles are the worst developed of all muscles in the ordinary man, a result due partly to the character of our games, partly to our clothing, chiefly to our habit of sitting, and sitting in a radically wrong position." (Gardiner, 2019)
That is interesting. With their lifestyles they probably didn’t spend a lot of time bored either
Bravo Tim, this is an awesome essay! I appreciate you shouting this message from the rooftops because sometimes we lose our common sense about simple things.
Thanks for the feedback! It’s great to know these posts are hitting with people.
I really do feel that we make things more complicated than they need to be, including movement.
Okay, I'll admit it – the part about being 'sedentary as f***' made me laugh out loud (and then slightly ashamed of my Netflix binges). But in all seriousness, this article is a great reminder that walking is a simple yet powerful way to improve our health and well-being. And hey, if it helps me unleash my inner creativity and come up with brilliant ideas (or at least remember what I went to the grocery store for), I'm all in!
It’s 7.30 am, time for my daily morning walk.
Thank you Tim for this insightful and entertaining article.
Thanks for stopping by to read it! I hope you have a great walk