Happy National Walking Day!
April 7th is National Walking Day. And, for me, I have been consistently incorporating this sport into my life for nearly four years.
I had to learn the hard way that, making a commitment to yourself, should be your first priority.
I truly believe that you have to keep Moving Forward or else you are Standing in Place.
I got tired of Standing in Place. I got fed up with making every one and everything comfortable and happy, while I was silently dying a slow death, due to poor eating habits, that stemmed from years of emotional eating and lack of exercise.
I can own my truth, because I have no one to blame but me. I know that I am NOT a victim. I am a Victor!
And, oh how sweet victory has been for me, in my transformation of mind, body and spirit.
Oftentimes, we look to please others for validation, when we should make ourselves “first priority” over everything and everybody.
I learned that the very hard way. It took me over three decades to prioritize my own needs and, when I finally got fed up with the way I felt and looked, I did something about it.
So, you are probably wondering, what finally changed?
My daughter got me a FitBit for my 51st birthday, and, two days later, on July 3, 2017, I set my non-negotiable.
At 51 years old, I made a commitment to myself that, Every Single Day, Seven Days a Week, Rain, Snow, Sleet or sometimes, HELL, I would walk a minimum of 10,000 steps. I usually do more, but that is my minimum.
NO EXCUSES.
I hit the pavement stepping in the right direction.
I had a Purpose, Plan and Vision for my life.
I repeat: For. My. Life.
And still now, at almost 55 years old in July, Nothing or No One gets in my way.
We all get 24 hours in a day. I carve out the time and make the time just for me.
If I plan a long distance trip, I get my steps before ever stepping foot on that plane. I have been sick with a nasty cold/flu and I still walked. I took a hard fall recently, heading into the grocery store and injured my arm with about 3000 steps left to meet my goal.
And guess what? I came home, wrapped my arm in an ice sling, wincing in pain and I still walked.
In late 2018, I moved 3000 miles away from the East Coast to the West Coast and I still walked.
I got a divorce in 2019, after 29 years of marriage and I still walked.
I have had all kinds of roadblocks that I could have allowed to stand in my way, but I walked right through all of them.
Why? Because, it Was and Is my Non-Negotiable.
I NEVER make excuses. I just make it happen, By Any “STEP” Necessary.
I prioritize “ME” now and it feels Great!
My life is so much more balanced and purpose-filled.
And, I am proud to say that I am going on Year FOUR, less than three months shy of NEVER, EVER missing a day of my non-negotiable. Yes, you read that correctly.
Earlier, I said that I walked, even during Hell and not the element hail, because I am recently just walking out of my own mess.
And, what doesn’t kill you will ONLY make you stronger right?
Like Christopher Robin said to Winnie-the-Pooh:
“You are Braver than you Believe, Stronger than you Seem and Smarter than you Think.”
While I always knew I was Smart, some days I didn’t feel so Brave and Strong, but I kept going. I couldn’t let ME down.
I have learned a lot about myself through walking.
I love nature. And, when I take my walk, I marvel at All of God’s many creations. I give Him Thanks that I can see, hear, smell, taste, touch and even feel, all that He has provided.
It is my solo time to meditate or perhaps, listen to an inspirational song or message. I may occasionally make a long overdue call to a family member or friend. Or sometimes, I simply take the time to just hear myself think.
Were there days that I didn’t want to lace up my sneakers and put in the grunt work? Absolutely.
But, I couldn’t cheat myself. I couldn’t fool myself. It was the one thing that had remained consistent in my world, even when 2020 threatened to change ALL of OUR LIVES, as we once knew it to be, before COVID.
Fortunately, fresh air is good and it was a blessing to not be stripped of that outdoor activity.
Researchers at the University of Texas, Southwestern, recently disclosed results in a year long study and stated that, “A brisk walk around the block several times a week could do wonders to preserve a healthier mind-as well as body-as you age.”
I believe walking is walking. If your weather is brutal, take your walk indoors. I do that sometimes too. I no longer have a treadmill, but I have a floor and my two feet. And again, I make No Excuses. It is not nearly as much fun being indoors; but, Every Step Counts.
Fortunately for me, walking and eating healthier, helped me shed nearly 50 pounds and I am now in the maintenance phase.
If you are reading this and want to find your footing, my suggestion would be to start with a step count you know that you will meet. You don’t have to do it everyday, but once you make that non-negotiable, my advice would be to show up for you. NEVER cheat yourself.
You will be amazed how carving out time just for you, gives you a sense of peace and purpose.
Walking centers me. I have always liked walking.
I was just NEVER consistent until 2017.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. coined a quote that I live by to this day.
He said, “If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.”
What is your Non-Negotiable?
And, whether you choose to Fly, Run, Walk or Crawl, NEVER Stand in Place- Keep Moving!
Happy National Walking Day!
Meet Our Guest Blogger
Gloria is Walking a New Path to creating the life of her dreams. At almost 55, she feels decades younger, thanks to better Self-Care and Self- Love.
Her main goal: Keep putting one foot in front of the other and keep it moving.
She currently lives in Southern California where the sun is usually shining and she capitalizes on the weather by mostly walking solo.
Occasionally, she will meet a few friends at the famous Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California. She has also gone on several hikes.
Gloria loves to write. She started writing a book in 2016 in memory of her mom and decided that she will finish her book this year. It is a Life Lessons Book and sure to be helpful to anyone who is looking for a reboot in life, no matter how big or small.
She also loves writing music. In 2018, she recorded six songs at a studio in Nashville, Tennessee. She owns the rights to her songs and would someday like to sell them. Song lyrics and melodies are a God-Given talent, much like her writing. She writes from the heart.
She loves to read in her spare time and is quite talented at decorating and making things look Beautiful.
Gloria enjoys spending time with her now grown daughters, Spencer and Madison and her 3 year-old grand dog, Sullivan.
For any questions or support about walking that you may have, Gloria can be reached via email at: gloriaburke112@gmail.com
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Watchmonkeymama is thankful to Gloria for being our Guest Blogger and sharing her journey to inspire others. On a personal note, Gloria and I met as freshmen at Virginia Union University. We became roommates and eventually, sorority sisters but more so than that, our decades deep friendship is truly one of my closest.
Love, love you ladies! Gloria I’m happy that you’re happier and living your best life!
Hi Deb! Thank you for reading our girl Gloria’s blog! I can’t wait for all of us to be together again…maybe in 2022. Here’s her response to you:
Hi Debbie, I so appreciate all of your support, love and friendship!
I still have fond memories of you, Lesley and me at Virginia Union and the bond that we all still have decades later.
One of my favorite memories of you that I recall from college was- how kind you were when you would see me walking a distance to work (I did not have a car.) and you would often stop to give me a ride to my destination. I am not sure you remember that; but, I do and still remain full of gratitude to you.
Sending you- Love, Peace & Hugs!
Many Blessings! Gloria
Lesley, Thank you for the opportunity to be a Guest Blogger for my Favorite Blog: Watch Monkey Mama.
You are creating Amazing content and I am Extremely Proud of you! I am blessed to call you my sister-friend for nearly four decades.
I know you were anticipating a flat out “NO” from me when you asked me a while ago, to blog for WMM.
I am so glad that I said “YES” to you!
Besides, You had me at Walking.
I truly hope this blog helps someone who is looking to make a change in his or her life. You and I always talk about exercise being a Marathon and not a Sprint. My advice to anyone reading this would be to: Go at your OWN pace and eventually, YOU will get there. I did, One Step At A Time! Be Blessed!
Gloria, the pleasure is all mine! Thank you again for being our Guest Blogger this month and for sharing your amazing journey of losing weight by walking and finding yourself in the process. Your story was so inspirational! You are truly an inspiration to me! Please blog again in a few months and share your nutrition journey with us so that we can learn more from your success story. Finally, thank you for your sweet, kind and loving words about our decades deep friendship-sisterhood! We will always be “Ashley and Blaine!” xoxo
Thank you for sharing your story!
Katrina, thanks for reading Gloria’s blog on her walking and weight loss journey and finding her truth in the process! Her response to you is below:
Thank you so much Katrina! I appreciate all of your support and kind words. You are a Sweetheart and I value our sisterly bond.
Love & Hugs!
Many Blessings! Gloria
Great Story Gloria I am so Proud of you and one day hope to be where you are mind body and soul
Love and miss you guys
Hey Sullivan
Thanks for reading our Guest Blogger Gloria Burke’s blog Edwina! Below is her message to you.
Thanks for all of your support Edwina. I know You Can Do It!
Let me know if I can help you in any way. I usually make a trip to Philadelphia once a year, so we can walk, talk and catch up, when I come late summer, early fall.
I miss you too.
Sullivan says Woof!
Love and Hugs to you and the family!
Many Blessings! Gloria
Walk on! This is wonderful! I walk almost every day and it has done wonders for my heart and my britches.🤓
Thank you for reading Gloria’s blog Devonne! Her response to you is below:
Hi Devonne, Thank you for your kind message. It is Wonderful that you continue to see the rewards of walking! It is no small Feat in terms of the health benefits.
Many Blessings! Gloria
Thanks Lesley for allowing Gloria (my niece) to be your guest. I missed reading her Facebook messages. So it was indeed a pleasure to read her blog on your page. Gloria has always wrote and it was always inspiring. So after reading this blog it motivating me to start walking. It is something I have put off for years. And after reading her blog I am going to take her advice and make every effort to start. Love you both. Keep doing what you both are doing it inspiring.❤️❤️❤️👍🏽
Thank you Aunt Sharon. You have always been a huge supporter of my writing. I am so glad you are walking. I know you are already seeing the benefits. I will check on you by the weekend. I truly appreciate and love you.
Lesley has some Great content on her blog. Feel free to subscribe.
God’s Blessings!
Good for you Gloria. I enjoy reading your blog.
Thank you cousin Rosa. I am glad you enjoyed reading it. Your support makes me smile. May God Continue to Bless You!
Wow! My dear friend GloriaB led me to your blog. Gloria is a true inspiration to me. I loved reading every word of her story.
Hi Andrea. Thank you for taking the time to read my blog. I appreciate your kind words. I hope all is well with you.
Many Blessings!
Your story is a testimony to your power n strength. Thank you Gloria for your blog n Thank you Lesley for your sharing your page to us. Beautiful
Thank you so much Dawn! Her testimony is that and more! Happy Thanksgiving!