Walk On!

by Kay Heitsch

I was blessed to have had an excellent example of healthy living from my Grandpa Hays. Grandpa Hays lived to be 97, and as long as I ever remember, he walked at least 5 miles a day.

Not everyone in the family was motivated by his walking, but somehow my Mom seemed to enjoy it too. Since she enjoyed walking, I also did. We walked to town for groceries and back all summer long. We walked all over town and would stop in to visit people along the way. We walked in parks and picked wildflowers. At the lake, we'd walk to the A & W Root Beer stand, which was quite a hike!

We've lived in several states, and if you ask my neighbors, they would no doubt tell you, "Kay likes to walk." Todd, Shannon, and I walked and pushed Brandon in the stroller. We'd walk to the farm across the road and fed the horse. Great memories of those walks!

Walking and even jogging over the years have been of great benefit to my physical and mental health. When Todd died, I started to jog instead of walk. I'd jog a few miles, then come home and throw myself in the yard and sob my eyes out. I know this may sound strange, but it was beneficial and healthy for my physical and mental health at the time.

When we moved here, and I was working in Alterra, I walked a lot! People wore pedometers there, so someone suggested I wear one too. I was surprised how much I actually walked. I had always walked, so this just made it more fun.

I'm happy to see people wearing Fitbits and Vivofits or any kind of pedometer. Keeping active and healthy, in my opinion, is one of the very best things you can do for yourself and others.

People tease me about going to Planet Fitness. I tell them I consider going there, "Health Insurance." I'd instead do what I can to keep myself healthy than to have to try to regain the health I've lost. I see people who are trying to regain their health every day at Planet Fitness.

Well, I've sat here long enough writing this, so I'll get up, walk downstairs, and get the clothes out of the dryer.

Walk on and make it a great day!

P.S. I do not walk, exercise, or eat healthy to live longer. I do these things to feel good while I'm here on earth.

Enjoying Daily Chores

by Kay Heitsch

Yesterday at Planet Fitness, John said something that got my attention. He said, "Kay, the way some people view work we see as another way to exercise." You know that is precisely how I think.

Whenever I shovel, mow, clean, or anything else that some people consider work, I view it as exercise. I don't know when I started to think like this, but it has helped me enjoy my everyday life more.

I don't always 'feel' like shoveling, but when I think of the benefits, it makes it much more enjoyable. When work needs to be done, I always think about the calories I will be burning.

I feel great almost every day! I attribute this to my personal time with the Lord, plus my attitude towards any kind of 'work' that I can view as exercise and the benefits I gain.

Life is short, so I aim at enjoying even everyday chores because I know they are helping me live a healthier life.

"What Did I Do Right Today?"

by Kay Heitsch

This week a Facebook friend posted, "What did I do right today?" Somehow that question got my attention. How often do I think about what I did wrong and not what I did right?

When I posted the quote, "Count your smiles instead of your tears. Count your courage instead of your fears." I felt that went right along with Guy's quote.

I believe we could change the way we feel if we would focus on what we do right. Plus, counting our smiles and our courage. As the old song goes, "Count your blessings, name them one by one."

We all do things wrong and have situations in our lives that have made us cry. Worries and fears can sap our strength. When we think about what we do right and count our smiles, life is so much sweeter.

Today and I hope every day, I ask myself, "What did I do right today?"