Still Walking Three and A Half Years Later

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According to the pedometer app on my iPhone, I’ve walked 4,867,711 steps since I started using that to keep track. At approximately 10,000 steps a day, that’s far enough to walk from NYC to Las Vegas. I know I’ve walked more than that, because I didn’t start using the Pedometer App until a number of months into the game. And although I wear a Fitbit, I don’t use that to keep score because it’s what I call “an easy grader.” There’s usually a three to four hundred step difference between the iPhone and the Fitbit, with the iPhone being the stingier of the two. That adds up to just under five miles a day.

So I have laps, indoor laps and outdoor laps. Inside a trip from the bathroom to the kitchen and back via a detour around the dining room table equals 100 steps. The front driveway is flat, and six round trips on that from the back gate to the turnaround makes for 1000 steps. The good thing about that route is that I can get up a really good head of steam. In the back yard, two trips around the pool and one down around the two fishponds add up to 500 steps, but 500 steps there take longer than on the flat front driveway.

So why am I telling you this? A couple of weeks ago I wrote about installing handrails on the twelve steps leading down to the back garden and the fish ponds. What I’m realizing now is how much not having handrails there has impacted our enjoyment of the garden.

This summer when we came home and I thought the fish had all disappeared, I grieved their loss and didn’t want to go look at a fishpond with no fish. But once they emerged from hiding and I needed to go feed them, I went down those blankety-blank stairs with my heart in my throat every single time.

By the time the handrails were installed, I discovered I had missed the azalea and the rhodie blooms. Ditto the peonies and the clump of daisies that always reminds me of my mother. The long, tall rose bush that grows against the pool house was already in full bloom as were the bright yellow dahlias next to it. The rails arrived in time for me to discover that the blueberries are ripe and so are some of the peaches.

I saw a headline in the paper today that said the “new gym is exercising solo at home.” That’s not news to me. I’ve never surfed in my life, but clearly, in this instance, I’ve been ahead of that wave.

And I plan on staying that way.

10 thoughts on “Still Walking Three and A Half Years Later”

  2. I totally agree. I find my home more peaceful than being out and about and “in a gym”. I get my exercise on my treadmill at home and can read a book on my kindle. while doing so. Look forward to “my walk” b/c I can read more of the latest J A Jance book. Time flies. I also installed hand rails on our outside steps several years ago anticipating my life as a senior. One of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Enjoy your surroundings. Your yard sounds lovely. Can’t wait to start on the new JP Beaumont. I’ve really missed him. Thank you for another wonderful blog. You’re one of my favorite authors.

  3. Always look forward to your Friday blogs…..luckily with iPads and iPhones readily available, can read them wherever I am…..Glad you got those handrails. I am a little older than you and know that it is so necessary to be careful on steps, even when walking on flat terrain….we don’t need or want a bad fall!!!

    So looking forward to the new book….thank you for writing them! A very bright spot in my life is the arrival of a new book by J.A. Jance!!!!!

  4. Loved this blog this morning! I am rehabbing from a knee replacement and have measured out tracks inside and outside my home – and I agree about the “new” gym concept. What took them so long to catch on?!

  6. No one is making a profit on people exercising at home, so no stories planted in the papers, etc. Such good news about your fish!

    ceci

  7. I too have struggled with weight most of my life so was intrigued when you first began to mention your steps. I even bought a Fitbit but never seemed to find the time to walk as much as I should.

    On January 20, 2017, your post explained in detail the changes you made in your lifestyle. That same day I was struck by a car while walking, breaking both bones in my lower leg and dislocating my ankle. It was the middle of the following week before I read your latest blog and since I was sporting a boot, my ability to walk was pretty limited but I began to change my eating based on your success.

    The following week a friend mentioned that her mother had used her rocking chair to rehab after a knee replacement so I began rocking. Early on I realized that my Fitbit was picking up the rocking as steps so I began setting goals, working my way up to 10,000 a day. As I healed and was able to shed the boot I gradually increased my walking and decreased rocking but maintained the 10,000 daily step goal.

    Two surgeries and countless hours of physical therapy later I am able to walk with practically no pain. I believe your inspiration played a great part in my recovery and will be forever grateful to you for that.

    And by the way, I am also a big fan of all of your books. You have made my
    life better in so many ways and I thank you.

  8. Great commitment to your health! When will your touring schedule be released? I am looking forward to your fall book tour at Red Mountain Library in Mesa.

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