so my health plan has sent me a pedometer to use. not so much as a nice gift as much as a requirement. since i am overweight (and over a certain body mass index), i was given the choice of either joining weight watchers or starting a walking program. otherwise, my copays and expenses will go up, probably drastically. so i'm walking now.
i like sport. exercise, not so much. i used to say i would only run if there was a ball involved or if someone was chasing me. except now i am too out-of-shape and injured to play team sports like i used to. shoulder, elbow, back, knees, foot/ankle, the list goes on… so now i must exercise. and there's no doubt that i need it. i just still don't like it.
not that walking is such a huge burden. it's just a matter of making myself carve out the time and motivation to do it. which is where the health plan is so brilliant. they aim for the wallet. you've got to do it to keep the better level of benefits, so you kinda gotta do it.
the pedometer program is pretty slick. it's actually a fairly decent one – does a good job of picking up steps and is difficult to fool into counting things that aren't steps. (you knew i'd have to figure that out, just to see what was possible.) it's set up with an online program, where you upload your steps periodically and it keeps track of what you've done each day and over time. it counts steps, miles, calories burned, time & distance at aerobic pace. you also get a ton of "inspiring" emails and other online gadgets to motivate, train, and otherwise con yourself into doing better. i have to average over 5,000 steps a day, which isn't that much, but with a sedentary desk job is enough that it means i must specifically go for intentional walks. and me being me, a light, casual walk is kind of a waste of time (unless in a beautiful setting, which i am not), so i try to get through it as fast as i can.
mostly i've walked in the steam tunnels here at work. there have been a few nice days when i walked outside, but it isn't exactly a walker-friendly area. and michigan
but here's the thing about it – it kind of works! not that i'm losing any weight or anything yet, but i'm managing to stick with it (weekends are actually harder). more than that, the flimsy little see-through psychological game works on me. now that it is being counted somewhere, every step matters and gets me some kind of credit. so, despite my ongoing knee pain, when i accidentally walk the wrong way as i go somewhere, i don't even mind: it still counts for something! how pathetic is that?
as much as i need to lose weight, though, the real thing is health. and this plays into the peace corps thing too. i have to be in some kind of shape before being dumped in the middle of nowhere with nothing but a bike to get around large rough areas. i worry more and more these days about the sometimes-quite-inhibiting knee pain, but i figure the more walking i do (and possible weight i lose), the better that will become. and it is better for my overall health long-term of course.
so let's see – walking, chorus, habitat, crocheting, spanish, oh, and work. that should keep me off the streets.
A pedometer with progress recorded by your insurer; how interesting. Graphing your own progress is almost the same in that you can see you progress for reinforcement, but having that financial incentive tied in is the true motivator. In your last line, you didn't mention juggling. That's exercise too! I saw your photo in which you appear to be juggling. Have you tried weighted juggling balls? I have three and have found it to be good for both strengthening and aerobics. I bought mine on-line from a resource in DC.
ReplyDeleteWe don't want something that we have control over to keep us out of the Peace Corps, do we?
If you will benefit from a different motivation, consider that the walking will prepare you for your Peace Corps lifestyle. When I realized that, I began to explore all sorts of ways to deal with my chronic knee pains (left over from ACL surgery back when it was real 'open-the-knee-and-see' surgery before the arthroscopic technique came along. Now, I usually walk daily as well as for any errand less than 2 miles. After my health plan reimbursed my gym membership, I became motivated to get a daily regimen of exercises from a PT which I have continued for 9 months and also to resort to my old braces, some analgesic creams, and an occasional heat pad all of which I no longer need. My pain is no longer chronic. Best of all, I am losing weight and feeling better overall. (And I am a few years older than you, so you can do it).
thank you so much for the feedback and motivation! yes, i am planning on the walking helping with my knee pain as i further strengthen the muscles. and the peace corps is what i think about while i am walking. i'm also realizing that without doing this, i might really embarass myself in training and early in the assignment.
ReplyDeletei hadn't thought about weighted juggling. in the picture, those are bocci balls. good way to hurt a finger, i might add. :)
when are you thinking you'll go? what are your preferences for assignment and location.
never mind those questions, Lew. i started reading your blog and they are all explained there. good luck to you!
ReplyDeleteas an older volunteer (perhaps not as young as you may think... or did i put my age in here somewhere?) i expect there to be some delays and questions in the health clearance process. i just got my nomination (though am waiting for the paperwork in the mail), so i may have a long way to go, as you have. don't lose faith!
ps -- wish i could get assigned to c/s america!