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.