Just Do It! Walk the Walk!

I decided to start a walking program. Mainly because I've noticed my strength and stamina have diminished so much over the past couple of years, and at fifty, I realized I needed to do something. I've been frustrated and increasingly depressed that the physical activities I enjoyed doing have become harder. I've found myself turning away from doing them.

I have two horses. I waited for these two "loves of my life" (don't worry, my husband knows he fits in the people category) until I was forty-three and our sons were grown. Yes my husband and I were young by today's standards when we married. We met at the local community college and married when I was 21 and he was 20, but that's another life story. I've found myself reluctant to work with, or ride, my horses much the past year because my energy levels are really low. My stamina is non-existent. I would fit myself into the moderately active category most of my life. When I was a kid I swam on a swim, played tennis, marched with my high school marching band. As an adult my husband and I enjoyed outdoor activities, camping, and hiking with our growing sons.

Granted, I was diagnosed a Type 1 diabetic in my mid-thirties and manage that with an insulin pump. I do have my ups and downs. I had thyroid cancer in 2008, but by now, I've reasoned, I should be physically active more than I feel I am able to. 

My husband and I live on a sixty-plus acre farm, most of which is hill and forest but we have about 10-15 acres for the horses and us. We spend a great deal of time with farm type upkeep. Some days, it's all I can do to clean the horse's "room". This lack of physical energy is not how I envisioned the next half of my life after fifty.  My dad was very sick and passed away in 2009. I am an only child and my parents needed me, which brought on it's own stresses for a few years. But all that is behind me now.  Is this lack of stamina physical? Is it medical? Is it how I'm suppose to feel after 15 years of being a Type 1 diabetic and having had thyroid cancer? Is it because I'm now over fifty? I am very confused at my body's  defeating attitude!

So, at the end of September I told myself the least I could start doing is start walking. We have a 15 minute short trail that winds back through the woods on our property. I've been very regular for the past three weeks. Daily, my two dogs take me a walk. Most days I've been going twice. If all I have to do is walk, then maybe my stamina will return. On rainy or winter days I'll ride my stationary bike. I just bought a DVD that's suppose to be roads and trails from the state of Washington to help pass the time so the 30 minutes isn't so boring. 

I've also decided to go see my family doctor. I see my endocrinologist every 3-4 months for the diabetes and thyroid but I admit, I don't like to go to a regular doctor if nothing else is wrong. I haven't been to my family doctor since '07 because I've had no need which I see as a good thing.

But if just walking can give me an increase in health, stamina and strength then I figure, why not? It's something I can do and my dogs enjoy feeling useful. They really do think they're taking me for a walk. Now, when the "girls" see me with my walking stick, or their leashes, they are eager to get going. I walk with them free in the mornings and then on leashes in the late afternoon before they're put up for the night. 

I do feel better when I walk. I've never been a runner. I admire my daughter-in-law who was a cross country runner and still likes to run, but it's just not something I've ever been able to do or enjoyed. Looking back, I've either walked, or rode a bike, so that's what I'm going to do. I also found really good DVD for Wii, it's yoga (titled New U Yoga & Pilates workout) and I'm impressed with the interaction. It can be done at any level.

I've learned the hard way that as you age if you don't use it, you're going to lose it, especially your body. I watched my poor dad decline quickly because he couldn't even get out to walk due to his health problems. He had been a big, strong, athletic football player in his younger years. So, the mantra should be for those of us at the half century mark, keep moving, in some way because it sure is hard to catch up once your body has been at rest for any length of time. I'm hoping a simple walk in the woods will be what my body has been waiting for, and it sure couldn't hurt anyway.