One Step At A Time
Why Walking May Be The Best Gift You Can Give Yourself After 60
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Walking has become one of my favorite forms of self-care — not because it’s complicated, but because it’s something almost all of us can do. And it’s free! It’s the one thing I’ve always gone back to when I needed it.
When I was in my 20s, I had two children, only 16 months apart. There were days when I felt like I would lose my mind. Especially when they were crying non-stop. I put those two beautiful unhappy cherubs in the double stroller and off we went. It was a Godsend for all three of us. They calmed down. I calmed down. We were outdoors and everything was a wonder to them. Folks I didn’t know stopped to say hello to my smiling children, and to give me encouragement. As a new mom, the simple act of walking reminded me that everything would be okay. Our daily walks improved our mood, alleviated stress, and made everything right with the world. It was then that I fell in love with walking.
Since then, I’ve continued that love affair. I’ve done 3-Day-60-mile-walks for breast cancer 5 times. And to this day I walk my neighborhood, the local university track, and the beautiful green trails in my community. My husband and I participate in two to three 5k’s per year in town. It’s a great way to give back to local charities we support, while doing something good for our health. We often bump into people from the community and get a chance to connect with them in a new way. And more often than not, we make new friends.
These events are always eye-opening for me. You see the athletes, the runners who want to win the race, or beat their best time. You see families enjoying all the day has to offer. I love that. Seeing parents introducing their young ones to exercise and community always warms my heart. There are women and men my age, and older. Couples of every age. It’s a diverse group of people all doing something for their own reasons. My reasons are simple. To stay active, to engage with my community, and to raise money or awareness for a worthy cause. At the end of the day, we’re not there to win a trophy, we’re there to keep moving, and to stay active.
We don’t run; we walk. We take our time. We laugh. We enjoy the outdoors. We soak up Vitamin D. I guess you could say that’s winning.
Check active.com or your local community Facebook groups for 5Ks near you — you might be surprised how many are happening right in your own backyard.
Mr. Handsome and Me walking in a 5K, while supporting our local community.
Every Step Is An Investment In Your Future
Walking isn’t about becoming skinny. It’s about becoming stronger so you can keep saying “yes” to life. It’s about having the confidence to go on the trip and really see it from the street level. What does The Mayo Clinic say about the benefits of walking?
The benefits of walking are numerous.
Stronger heart
Lower blood pressure
Better circulation
Improved cholesterol
Maintain healthy blood sugar
Supports weight management
Better balance
Better mobility
Helps preserve bone strength
Strengthens muscles that protect our joints
All these reasons are important to me because I want to continue with my travel adventures and to go into the next phase of my life as a fully independent person. And having nice legs doesn’t suck. Walking with a friend is an added bonus. A workout buddy can help you to stay accountable. No one cheers harder for you than someone who loves you. It’s the reason I started my fitness journey, and I am forever grateful for the Queen who cheered me on.
Walking Is Good For More Than Your Body
Let’s get real. Aging isn’t always sunshine and roses. There are everyday stressors in the world we live in that can get us down. But walking can help with that. Putting one foot in front of the other can help to elevate our mood, have more confidence, think more clearly and have more energy. My personal favorite benefit of walking is better sleep. I see you menopausal women. You know what I’m talking about.
Walking with a buddy keeps you accountable and makes time fly by.
Walk Your Way Back
We’ve lived for 6 decades and that can take its toll. Life happens and setbacks can happen too. That can look like surgery, illness, knee replacements, hip replacements, or simply being inactive.
We’ve been around the block, and we know that when life slows us down, it can keep us down. But Rebels never quit. Sometimes our bodies need time. Walking is one of the gentlest ways to reconnect with yourself. If you’re recovering from surgery, a significant injury, or a serious illness, check with your healthcare provider before beginning a walking program. Once you have the green light, start slowly and build at your own pace. Give yourself grace. But get started. Don’t forget, healing isn’t a race. Take your time. You can overcome anything, if you just get moving.
Start Where You Are
When you’re ready, take it slowly and build up from there. Here’s a good place to start:
Week Goal
Week 1 - 10 minutes, 3 days a week
Week 2 - 15 minutes, 4 days
Week 3 - 20 minutes, 4–5 days
Week 4 - 25–30 minutes most days
If you start with this plan, there’s no limit to how far you can go. Don't worry about speed. Don't think about calories. Just build the habit. The goal is consistency. Before you know it, you’ve got your headphones on, you’re listening to 80s music and you’re walking for an hour or more.
Invest in The Right Shoes
This Rebel has gone through some shoes in my day. My current favorite are Nike Women's Revolution 8 Road Running Shoes. Yes, I wear running shoes. It’s because I put a lot of miles in. I’m hard on my shoes and I walk in many types of terrain. These shoes feel like they were made just for me. I have high arches and narrow feet. A key feature of Nike shoes is the arch support. From the first time I laced them up and hit the road they were a dream.
Maybe you’re just getting started, and need a little help getting into your shoes. The Skechers Performance Go Walk Flex Lily Rose are a dream. They’re not just great for walking, but also for traveling. 15 hours on a flight with connections through crowded airports make for a long day. A lightweight shoe is the key to keeping your feet and legs from getting tired. This shoe offers great arch support. They’re breathable and you can pop them in the washing machine without worry. I love that because you want your walking shoes to hold up and look great after a wash. My favorite thing about what Sketchers is doing is the slip-in shoe. It’s brilliant because you can simply step into them without the hassle of bending over to tie them. If you’ve had an injury and want to get back out there, that’s a huge bonus to keep you motivated. I love the memory foam feature. And honestly they’re adorable. .
It’s important that you find shoes that work for you, because that will help to make your walks more pleasurable. Try on many brands and don’t just settle for a shoe that’s inexpensive. Take your time with this because I want you to succeed. I don’t want you to give up because your shoes hurt your feet.
A top quality running shoe is an investment in your health and you deserve it. The sneaker industry has come a long way, and there are affordable high-quality options our there for everyone. The first step in your walking routine will be to go shopping and find the shoes that work best for you.
My love affair with walking continues with weekly walks, and a 4 mile weekend walk. Whenever I see a local 5K for a great cause, I join in. I don’t run. And I sure don’t finish first. But I have fun. I go out of my way to make new friends and enjoy seeing old friends along the way. Without thinking about it, I’m enjoying all the positive benefits that walking offers. You can too.
You just gotta lace up or step into those walking shoes and start. JUST START.
For me walking isn’t about getting smaller. It’s about staying strong. It’s about having the energy to travel and explore new places. It’s about being able to say yes when life is calling.
One Step,
One Walk.
One Day at a Time.
Because there is so much waiting for us. Chin up, and walk tall Rebel. You’re doing it! I’ll see you out on the trail. You’ll recognize me. I’ll be the one cheering for you the loudest.
🔥 Rebel Rule — Don't walk because you're trying to look younger. Walk because you have too much living left to do.
With Rebel Love — Jeannie
Do you have a favorite place to walk? Have you participated in a community walk or 5K? Share your story in the comments. You might just inspire another Rebel to take that first step.