Walking Fools
I've been making every effort to get out and walk daily. The weather is mild, so no excuses there. The kids are capable, so again, no excuses. The only thing that gets in our way is sheer laziness, or procrastination.
I've found the easiest way to accomplish this is to walk the kids to school. It is a mile (maybe just under), and we cover it in 15 minutes on a good day, 20 minutes on a bad day. I usually push my youngest in the stroller, but she's been wanting to walk with us, so the last few days I've merely pushed the stroller along on the way there, and then she will ride home.
Not today. The kids set out at a jog this morning, and I didn't grab the stroller on our way out the gate. We made it to the school in a flat 15 minutes, and after kisses goodbye, we spun on our heels and headed for home. Rather than meandering home, my four-year-old continued to jog. The child jogged the entire way there, and the entire way home. It was rather, uh, impressive.
Now she's eating a bowl of cereal, and singing in between bites. Something about walkin' and talkin' and kickin' butt. I don't know where she got that from. *whistles, averts eyes*
Seems the endorphins do us good. My youngest and I have been really affected by winter this year. At least that is my excuse. I think her excuse is she's four and it hurts. All I can tell you is these daily bursts of exercise seem to have altered both of our attitudes for the better. We're both laughing more, singing more, able to focus and less likely to whine.
And! Get this! The naps that I thought were gone forever? THEY'RE BAAAAAA-ACK. If good health and improved mood isn't enough of a motivator, that daily hour of respite from preschooler angst is enough to make me lace up my shoes and head out the door.
Comments
Ooo, ooo, ooo! You may have just given me the motivation I need, though it's only 14 degrees outside so I may wait until time in the elements doesn't cause my face to crack.
But I'm all energized hearing all about your good mood.
Posted by: MammaLoves | February 6, 2007 9:31 AM
I, too, have been trying to walk more. Our school is a good three miles away (and we're always running late), so walking there isn't an option. But after I drop Megan off, I park the car at the school and then walk to Starbucks for a latte (instead of stopping in the car on my way home). The round trip is about a mile and a half. So that's been my way to start walking more. Next week, I may walk to a different coffee house that's a little bit farther. And then... in March, when all the New Year Resolution people have dropped out... I may resume visits to the gym. At least, that's the plan...
Posted by: Donna | February 6, 2007 12:22 PM
I would love to take a walk and send the kids to school -- but it's so cold they've cancelled school now, two days in a row. I haven't opened the door to go outside for 3 days now! Glad your naps are back.
Posted by: Susie J | February 6, 2007 12:46 PM
Woo-hoo! The 4-year-old is awesome, and you are too. Sounds like it was a terrific walk today, and that's inspiring. Hey, if she naps do you get one too? That'd be nice...
I have one child who likes to run all the way home from school. Only one of the triplets though. Her brother walks and complains and whines, and her sister dawdles and chats and takes FOREVER to get out the door, and forever again to make it home. Unless she gets sucked into competition with her sister. Then she cries and pitches a fit, because she can't run as fast and will never be FIRST. So our walks home from school are not nearly as pleasant, unfortunately. Maybe next year when their legs are a bit longer? I hope so.
Posted by: SheilaC | February 6, 2007 12:56 PM
ah, the wonder of the great outdoors - whatever it takes to make a kid nap, do it! You are far more motivated than I... that walk would've made ME need a nap.
Posted by: d | February 6, 2007 4:44 PM
Awesome! I've found that exercise helps, too, and I've been trying to drag my kids off the couch (and away from Gameboy) to join me.
You are setting a wonderful example for everyone in your family, and kicking butt!
Posted by: ben | February 7, 2007 4:08 AM
What a great way to get in some exercise. Good for lots of reasons.
Walk (jog) on!
Cas
Posted by: cassie-b | February 7, 2007 5:21 AM
Hey congrats on the walking! I wish we lived so close to school. Heck, I would even be pleased if we just had decent sidewalks where we are (or any, for that matter). When our kids get especially crazy and it's too cold to get outside (you know, like negative 4 as it was this morning), we have them jog on the treadmill.
And my Jacob (5) came home from preschool yesterday and crashed on the couch. Woo-hoo!!
Posted by: Melissa R. Garrett | February 7, 2007 6:21 AM
At work for the past 2 1/2 years I've sat. Sat. Sat. Sat at my desk pretty much the whole time as it's the nature of the job.
What did I gain from this?
A fat butt.
And thighs.
Big enough that roughly 1/2 of my work skirts don't even fit and I've had to give them to Goodwill.
I read this post and felt guilty. Not guilty enough to go walk or run in 0 degree weather and freeze my freakin' lungs - but bad enough so I got up from my desk yesterday and quietly pulled the door half way closed and RAN IN PLACE for 2 minutes. In my skirt. And knee boots.
2 minutes.
Booya! Yes I did.
Boy I felt healthy.
Posted by: Meritt | February 8, 2007 5:57 AM