I’m walkin’…yes, indeed
A lifetime ago, when I lived on my own in Worcester, I had no vehicle. I started out with one, but when it came time to renew my registration, I didn’t have the money to fix it so it would pass inspection. I ended up selling it to a local junkyard for about $100. From then on, I was Pedestro Man (not to be confused with Pederast Man, who has to introduce himself as such whenever he moves to a new town). I walked everywhere - to work and back. To band rehearsals. To the grocery store. To bars. To friends’ apartments. Sure, I’d take the bus if someplace was too far to walk, but most of the places I frequented weren’t.
Added on to all this walking, I lived on the top floor of a 3-story apartment building at the top of a hill. I was working out on a daily basis, and didn’t even realize it. I still look at pictures of myself circa 1996-7 and wonder why I can’t fit into the same clothing anymore.
Alas, all things come to an end. I was evicted from my apartment, and ended up moving back in with my parents for a while. I still walked quite a bit, but now had to take a daily half-hour or longer bus ride to work, instead of a half-hour walk. My pants began to feel tighter, and I eventually had to scale up a size.
Eventually, 10 years passed and 10 inches accumulated on my waist. Much of the blame for this can be placed on my taking a sedentary desk job after moving to Maine, and driving (or being driven) everywhere. Sure, some of it’s due to not paying attention to what I’m eating, but thinking back on my diet as a single guy living alone, it’s not like I was exercising portion control or avoiding junk back then either.
A year or so ago, I inherited a pedometer from my parents. I’ve used the “old-man-o-meter” on and off for a while, just trying to get a feel for my normal level of activity. It was somewhat disappointing to find out that, on a good day, I’d been getting only half of the 10,000 steps recommended for keeping healthy.
Starting May 1st, I’ve been making a concerted effort to reach 10,000 steps daily. I’ve only missed it one day since then, thanks to a blown tire that needed replacing ASAP.
I forgot how much I enjoyed walking. Whether it’s the country roads around our house, local branches of the East Coast Greenway, or just walking from work to my favorite local coffee shop, I like the fact that I can slow down and take in my surroundings. You tend to notice things while walking that just don’t jump out at you when you’re driving by at 40 MPH.
The reduction in waistline will come in time. For now, I’m just happy to be doing something resembling exercise.
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May 15th, 2007 at 3:34 pm
As a fellow ped0duder (that still sounds bad), I can completely relate to this post. I’ve always had weight issues, and it’s a wonder my diet hasn’t caused my heart to explode inside my chest. I go for long walks 3 or 4 times a week, and I know it’s slimmed me down some. The resulting compliments are nice, but the good-tiredness feeling I get after a walk is better.
May 16th, 2007 at 7:29 am
I’ve been thinking about walking too. I’ve always been a big guy, and I’m a little bigger than I was in high school, but my weight doesn’t really bother me. But I know I’m not in shape. I’d like to have more wind when playing with the kids.
On the way to church Sunday morning, I had an idea. It seems like I don’t have enough time in the day for excercise, and I don’t have enough time to practice the drums. So I thought perhaps I’d combine the two! I thought perhaps I could find a marching snare practice pad. I could get up 1/2 hour early or so, take a walk, and practice rudiments all at the same time!
I guess it’s time I visit Musicians Freind.
May 21st, 2007 at 10:10 pm
For about 4 years I used to walk and catch public transport. Never used to have to worry about gaining weight or setting aside time to exercise. I think the moral of the story here is that you should sell your car if you want to be thin…..