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365: Body
Thank goodness for Monday’s picture of my feet in the produce aisle. My Week 2 collage would have been a study in gray without the beets and carrots. I document each walk with a picture since I’m not posting daily. Each picture is a little different while still including my feet.
Someone asked last week if the feet were intentional; the answer is yes. I wanted all 365 pictures to have consistency throughout, and there is no way I was going to take a picture of myself every day. Please! I’d have an easier time eating a bowl of crickets for breakfast. And I hate breakfast.
I’ve been focusing on texture, but apparently I need to start trespassing on some lawns, flower beds, and, I don’t know, maybe some car hoods, to bring in color. My goal is to print all my #365body pictures in a book for myself and I would like to avoid paying for something that looks like it should be titled 365 Walks: A Daily Catalog of Despondency in a Colorless World.
While my walks appear dreary–even my shoes are black!–they have been nothing but enjoyable. My walking routine, for now, centers around my neighborhood. I create a different route every day to avoid monotony, and this has worked well. I walk just under 2 miles, although on Saturday I went almost 3 miles. Because I am a sedentary person trying to establish a daily fitness routine, I thought it was prudent for me to start off slow to avoid injury. So far, so good.
The only regular activity I’ve ever participated and enjoyed is tennis, and that comes with specific apparel. I didn’t think I needed anything fancy for walking, but many of you said my walks would be easier and more comfortable in the leggings versus sweats or yoga pants; you were right. Having a snug fit around my ankles has made all the difference in my stride. That, and the silky-smooth texture of the leggings. I didn’t like it at first–they felt like thin ski pants–but it only took one walk to realize sport fabric really does serve a purpose (smoother movement) and proper fitness wear really does make a difference. I can’t say I am a bastion of confidence wearing them, but so far no one has pulled over on the side of the road to call me “turnip legs.”
The other two “can’t do without” items on my walk are free and on my iphone. I listen to Pandora while I walk and I track all my walks using Endomondo. Zakary recommended it to me, and I love it. I haven’t taken advantage of all the features (so far I just track my distance), but they seem great. I love that I will have a history of all my walks at the end of the year. I’ll have to include the stats for each walk next to the corresponding picture in my (hopefully not) album of despondency.
365: Mind and Spirit
Church is easier when you read the Bible. Who knew?
It turns out that when you are already familiar with the readings you can actually pay attention to what the priest is talking about. Not only can you pay attention, you know what’s going on! Revolutionary. My favorite so far has been the Sermon on the Mount, especially the part on worrying. That’s my goal with the Mind and Spirit components–to stop worrying.
I still worry. I’m not a success story, yet. But at least while I am worrying needlessly I am also writing down moments of gratitude that I might otherwise forget. Next year at this time, when I am thumbing through my journal, I’ll note that on January 2nd I enjoyed the hot water on my cold hands while I did the dishes. I won’t remember I had a really bad cold.
If the whole of our lives is measured in memories, I can at least make sure I remember the good stuff.
I like the idea of having your feet in each shot. :)
Boy, by the end of this, that book will be such an awesome, tangible reminder.
That’s what I hope the book will be, too.
Love, love, love that last sentence! And if you do that, I’m willing to bet that your family and others will remember a happy, loving person. Thanks for the inspiration!
If they find my journal after I’m gone, they’ll think I was a regular Pollyanna! ;)
You are doing great. So are you listening to books or music?
I’m listening to music because I never thought of listening to books or podcasts. Do I do that through itunes?
Well, I like monochromatic collages full of texture Think of it as seasonal. In the spring you can be all green-ish. And – good job!!
Good point. :)
I’m thankful you continue to blog. You have been inspirational in many small (important) ways in my life.
Thanks, Kathy. That means a lot.
Very inspiring updates. I do believe I need to start this daily walking, bike riding, and photo-taking challenge as well. Certainly a good way to boost creativity AND circulation.
The photo taking is a big part of walk keeps me going. That, and all the friendly support I have received so far.
I have really enjoyed “going” on your walks {through Instagram}.
You are doing a great job, Jules!
Thanks, Rachel!
Good for you, Jules! I think it’s such a great challenge – inspired me to think about my ‘moving’ routine (let’s be honest: calling it ‘fitness’ sounds a bit ambitious for now!).
One thing I wonder if you would like (and I love when walking) is podcasts. Listening to a 50 min episode of This American Life or the Slate Culture Gabfest (40 mins) makes the time whizz away and gives me something to focus on while walking. Of course music is meditative, but I do love a good podcast. I also really enjoy audiobooks while walking – if you get a good one, I only let myself listen to it while exercising, so it helps as a motivator, too.
Onwards, powerful little feet!
That’s a great idea. How do I go about listening to podcasts or books? They aren’t on Pandora, right?
You can download NPR programs from the NPR site onto your phone or iPod. AS you know, I’m a huge fan of Fresh Aire and I’ve been meaning to download some of those to listen to at the gym.
If you have an iPhone you can download the Stitcher app – it’s free and will play podcasts on demand. (They have both This American Life and Fresh Air among thousands of others in a multitude of categories). I love it because you don’t have to download the podcast to any device (b/c I’m not going to listen multiple times so the constant download, listen, delete was annoying to me). Not sure if the app is available for android or windows yet.
For audiobooks you could try audible.com (but you have to find a “free trial” otherwise it’s $ – This American Life podcast will often give out free trial info though) or you can purchase audiobooks through iTunes that will download to your device. Happy walking and happy listening! These updates are helping me stay with it on my goals. :-)
Well done, two weeks in and you’re liking liking the walking! This 2013 is going so well. Love your shoes in the photos. I’m sure we’ll be seeing them stretching out on some bumpers, or leaning against a tree or two along the way.
This morning was too slippery to walk outside, I’m hoping that the weather improves by lunch time, so I can get out before dark, but if not, you’ll see a very dark photo later this evening.
Good luck today and for the rest of the year.
So proud of you! Two weeks straight of body, mind, and spirit is a great start to 2013! Hopefully, it will start to inspire me to start my daily walking. Love your Nike frees….. I have the same ones! I will have to check out Old Navy, you are definitely looking stylish, and we all know that that is half the battle!
I would also check your library – oftentimes they have an app (mine has “overdrive”) with which you can borrow audiobooks for free!
One of the best parts of a workout routine, are cute workout clothes :) Walking and Pandora are also part of my daily routine (walk to work) and it’s often the nicest/most relaxing part of my day!
I’ve quite looked forward to seeing where your feet have taken you. And, I must say, I’m quite proud–you walked despite frigid temps! You’re an inspiration! Perhaps one of these days my feet will join you . . . though perhaps after the snow thaws. :)
One of my favorite verses:
“Martha, Martha,� the Lord answered, �you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed.” Luke 10:41-42 (NIV)
Do you bring your dogs with you when you walk?
Unfortunately, no. At nearly 13 years of age, the distance and frequency is a bit much for them, especially for the one with compromised lungs. :(
This is my first time reading your blog and you have inspired me in the simplest and most meaningful way because I want to make a change. Starting this morning. Congrats on two weeks, the beginning is definitely the hardest!