Going Green
By Jim Bona
(Hamilton, NY – Oct. 2014) One bad thing about not working: it’s more difficult to get out. Since getting to work was by foot, I realize now I am doing much less walking. (The scale is telling me so). Even worse, most of the time I was at work was spent walking. I was always on the move, never sitting for too long.
Being out of the workforce demands that I make the conscious decision to walk more. Before, it was walking as the way to get to work, which helped keep me healthy. Now, walking is for fun and exercise. In order to help keep track of my new exercise plan, I dug out my pedometer, which had been sitting around gathering dust. I surprised myself by finding so fast. I wasn’t surprised to see that the batteries had conked out. Before I could put my gizmo into action, I had to go find some fresh ones. (Had to search on line for the directions, but found them almost as fast as I found the pedometer).
I went to the big box store, figuring that the batteries could be easily found. Not so easy. Took a couple more tries, but eventually did find them. Fired the pedometer up, adjusted the settings so that the device would be accurate for my length of stride, and took it out for a spin. It worked just fine, but made me realize that I have to go longer if I want to do the same amount of walking that I was doing before I retired.
Walking is great exercise and gives you the chance to be outside. I never was a big fan of the exercise machines, which tend to be boring, stationary and inside. Much better to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of a walk in the woods or even around the block. (Some serious cooking going on out there). Of course, using the pedometer is not necessary. It’s just another chotski (tchotchke) to play with. As long as you get out for an extended period, you are doing yourself well. Combine it with some errands, and you can actually accomplish some tasks at the same time.
Weather cannot be your enemy and cause you to postpone your walk with the excuse that it is too cold or too rainy or too snowy. If you do have to go out when it is dark, a flashlight is recommended. Not so much for you to be able to see, but rather so that you can be seen, especially vehicles. Oh, stay to the sidewalk too, if there is one. Much safer. If you have to walk where there is no sidewalk, make sure to walk on the side of the road facing traffic. You have a better chance to see what is approaching, even if they can’t see you.
Another good idea is to bring your phone with you. Don’t use it. Have it handy, just in case. Distracted walking is very dangerous. One thing I definitely won’t do to get my walk in is drive to the gym. That defeats the purpose of walking for exercise and trying to be green. Maybe I will see you out there?
Jim Bona is recently retired and a resident of the village of Hamilton for more than 30 years. He is passionate about all things green…and a few other things too. He can be reached at: madnews@m3pmedia.com.