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How Sanity Walks are saving my life

25 March 2014 By Dorothy 6 Comments

Some months ago, I finally kicked myself up the butt and started walking more than once a week.

I’ve been a walker for years and valiantly walked with the pram several times a week when the boys were smaller, but once pram days ended so did my walking. I still attempted to get out as often as I could, but excuses will be excuses and some weeks I didn’t get out at all.

I would look at myself in the mirror and weigh myself occasionally at mum’s and bemoan the numbers and flabby fat. But I did little about it.

Well, that’s not completely true, I changed my diet to include less processed food, tried to eat more fruit and vegies, but could not get rid of my late night cravings, especially on those evenings the boys wouldn’t settle to sleep immediately. The going back and forth to their rooms and back, inevitably took me past the pantry and fridge and always, always, I would stop and dig something out.

And then, one Monday, I just got out and walked. I got out and walked again on Tuesday and then on Wednesday. Thursday and Friday were busy, so I didn’t get out, but a pattern was set.

I bought myself some new workout singlets, two sports bras and I already had a decent pair of shoes.

The following week the pattern continued and these days it is rare that I don’t get my three walks in a week. Some weeks it’s four, rarely it’s two, but rain, wind or shine, I get out there and I walk.

In the last week and a half, as my mind imploded under the stress, I’ve continued to walk. Those of you who follow me on Instagram or Facebook would have noticed that I started to call these my Sanity Walks. It was the rhythm of my feet pounding the asphalt that kept me anchored to the here and now. My racing thoughts would exhaust themselves and settle, as my head focused on the steps and the breaths, on the walk, walk, walk.

I come home tired and cool down with about 20 minutes of yoga stretches. Immediately after, I feel calm and in control.

My walks give me much needed structure to the day. Getting dressed in my walking clothes and shoes every morning means that I don’t forget to walk. I drop the boys off at school, I have my coffee and then I walk. Sometimes, I get stuck into some work for a client and my walk is delayed, but, most days, I make sure I fit it in, somehow.

Some days it just isn’t possible and I still haven’t worked out how to incorporate them into my weekends, but I don’t give up hope that some day soon, I will get those boys of mine to become more active.

I can’t tell you a miracle story about how I lost 20 kg since starting to walk. In fact, I may have lost a kilo, nothing more. This is not the point today. The point is about my sanity and my life. How a simple habit is keeping me alive – day by day.

If you’d like to start moving, or if moving is already part of your life, I urge you join OperationMove for friendship, support and encouragement. I did. If it wasn’t for those women, I wouldn’t have started moving again.

What about you? Is moving regularly part of your lifestyle? What do you do?

Come over and see what others are saying.

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I've been blogging since 2008 and I do it because it keeps me sane.If I didn't blog, my head would explode. If you like your blogs sugar-coated and pretty looking then this is not for you. I write about life as a solo parent dealing with mental illness and recovering from long term emotional abuse. I live with two boy-children and three cats and I like wine. A lot.

Comments

  1. Elephant's Child says

    25 March 2014 at 3:36 am

    Sanity trumps vanity in my book. I need to get back into more movement. I used to swim three or four times a week, and swim at least a kilometre every time I swam. My partner’s repeated surgery pushed it to the back burner. But I need to go again. Soon.
    Thanks for the reminder – and walk tall.

    Reply
    • DorothyKBlog says

      8 April 2014 at 2:52 pm

      Defintely get back into swimming. I can’t handle it with all the changing and all the people, but I did do it for a while in my youth. It’s so worth it!

      Reply
  2. Char says

    25 March 2014 at 9:29 pm

    The reason I run is exactly the same – to stay sane. And it has to be outdoors. None of this running on the treadmill stuff. There’s nothing more uplifting than exercise out of doors.

    Reply
    • DorothyKBlog says

      8 April 2014 at 2:53 pm

      I used to walk on a treadmill at the gym years ago, but it was nothing like walking out in the fresh air and among trees.

      Reply
  3. thingsforboys says

    29 March 2014 at 1:59 am

    Oh boy do I need to do this! Since my 10mo was born, getting fit has been on my list and it still hasn’t happened! I used to get out with the pram all the time with baby #1, but this time I find it so much harder. I need to find a way to fit this in to my schedule. And I hear you on the need for something to soothe the sanity after the bedtime routine.

    Reply
    • DorothyKBlog says

      8 April 2014 at 2:54 pm

      Definitely look up and join Operation Move on Facebook. It’s a fantastic group of women who encourage each other and will get you moving in no time.

      Reply

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