Time to get up and out

published February 17, 2011

in the Stockton Sentinel,

Stockton, Kansas

            By the end of the week when you are reading this, you’ve probably got a bad case of spring fever. I’m writing this on Sunday evening after enjoying a most beautiful day, and having just returned home from a walk and the view of another glorious Kansas sunset. If the forecast is correct for this week, we’re due to get spoiled with some spring-like days, and after several weeks of nasty weather, it’s about time for a change for the better. This time of year, everyone has had just about all we can take of the indoors. It’s also time for some exercise to shed that layer of winter warmth that has come on while we were sitting in front of the fire, sipping hot chocolate.

            If I’m going to exercise, I have to do it early in the morning, before my brain figures out what I’m doing. During these last few weeks of arctic weather, my warm bed hasn’t turned loose of me early enough in the mornings to allow me to get to the rec center before going to work. I have a dual-alarm clock:  setting No. 1 is “rec center” time, which beeps obnoxiously at 5:20 a.m.; setting No. 2 is “wus” time, which wakes me gently with music an hour later. It’s a much friendlier way of waking up, and certainly a much nicer time, but I’ve been denying myself the time for walking and exercise. So tonight, I’m clicking my alarm to setting No. 1 to get myself back on track.

            A friend of mine says the only thing she and her husband argue about is exercise. Another friend said that every time she hears or says the dirty word “exercise,” she washes her mouth out with chocolate. By the time you get as old as I am, you’ve had enough exercise in recent years just to get over the hill.

            But seriously, walking is one of the best exercises you can do to keep yourself healthy and in shape. You don’t have to belong to the rec center or other workout facility, but it helps to have an indoor place to go when the weather is not so good.

            According to the American Heart Association, the benefits of walking and moderate physical activity for at least 30 minutes a day can help you:  reduce the risk of coronary heart disease; improve blood pressure and blood sugar levels; improve blood lipid profile; maintain body weight and lower the risk of obesity; enhance mental well-being; reduce the risk of osteoporosis; reduce the risk of breast and colon cancer; and reduce the risk of non-insulin dependent (type 2) diabetes. Wow! So many benefits from such a simple activity as walking!

            February is American Heart Month. Don’t argue with your spouse about exercising. Don’t let the covers keep you in bed in the morning. Get up, get going, get healthy!