Walk With a Partner
Almost two years ago, my next-door neighbor started walking every morning. She mentioned that she wished she had a partner to walk with, so I volunteered for the position. I had been contemplating my need for more (consistent) exercise, so it was perfect timing.
We have been meeting almost every day at 5:55 am, Monday through Saturday, and at 7:30 am on Sundays, since that day – I'd say we have about a 95% consistency. We both know that if it wasn't for the other, we wouldn't get up early to walk in the dark (or at dawn), in the rain, or snow, or wind. On days that are just too stormy or icy, we have some equipment stored in her garage to use.
I do have a point and it isn't just to brag about our consistent walking, although I am proud of us! My neighbor's doctor told her that walking would help with her back pain. One of the discs in her back is worn out. Some days, it was all she could do to get out of bed, and she would have days that she crawled to the bathroom to get the Vicodin. She also has a bit of arthritis, as do I, in her low back.
Walking every day keeps the joints lubricated and keeps the muscles and ligaments from getting stiff. Although I am about 20 years younger, I have noticed that if I skip a day, I am more likely to be stiff and sore by bedtime.
So here is the point – as we "mature," we need to keep moving. If we have jobs that require us to be at a desk, we need to take 5 minutes or so to get out of our chairs and move around every couple of hours, even if it's to walk to the water cooler and do some shoulder shrugs. For those of us at home, we need to be sure to climb out of that comfy chair and get moving. Try not to stay in any one bent position for too long – like kneeling or squatting in the flower bed. That one really gets me!
I read more and more about the need for exercise for folks with arthritis, and those trying to avoid it. I'm not a doctor, so you may want to check with yours before beginning an exercise program. Some gyms and either the YWCA or YMCA have specific classes for arthritic people, and those water-aerobic classes are very gentle for someone who hasn't exercised for a while. And yes, it will probably be uncomfortable and slow-going at first, but as my good neighbor will tell you, it really does help and it's worth it.
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Walking reduces extra weight.sheding the extra weight reduces load to back and hip.Automatically there is a reduction in pain.
You have a good point, and I agree with you, except my neighbor and I haven't lost any weight. We've both been struggling with our diets and not taking the time to always eat right. And there is still the reduction in pain. Another benefit has been improved immune system…we hardly ever get sick with the stuff that goes around, but we did before we started walking.