I am walking.
That is not really news. I have already told you about my forays to the Portland Zoo and the Coos County Fair.
But it is time for me to get some recurring exercise -- before I start doing my Shamu impersonation.
When I bought my house in Salem, I wanted to be close enough to walk to work. On a good morning, it is a brisk 20-minute walk. Just about right.
Unfortunately, like most plans, this one did not work out quite as anticipated. I walked to and from work for about three years. Then, the blog-famous Professor Jiggs entered my life.
Because he had the bladder control of any puppy, I had to go home each day to let him out. Obviously, making the walk during my lunch hour would press me for time. So, I started driving.
That was 1996. Even after he developed adult toilet habits, and I did not return home for lunch each day, I continued to drive. Ease trumped health.
Fast forward to 2009. One of the health benefits of living in Mexico is walking. In my village, I walk everywhere. Shopping. Visiting. Cruising the beach.
Within a couple months, I had dropped 30 pounds. My blood pressure was normal. My blood sugar was normal. My triglycerides were reduced by over 50%.
I felt good.
My brief return to work on crutches in May quickly reversed that process. With the help of the odd Coney dog and packet of crisps, I started to blossom into the jumbo-sized Steve.
There was an odd shift of weight. My right thigh and calf starting looking as if they belonged to Twiggy while my waist looked as if Charles Laughton had taking up housekeeping in my mid-section.
That is not really news. I have already told you about my forays to the Portland Zoo and the Coos County Fair.
But it is time for me to get some recurring exercise -- before I start doing my Shamu impersonation.
When I bought my house in Salem, I wanted to be close enough to walk to work. On a good morning, it is a brisk 20-minute walk. Just about right.
Unfortunately, like most plans, this one did not work out quite as anticipated. I walked to and from work for about three years. Then, the blog-famous Professor Jiggs entered my life.
Because he had the bladder control of any puppy, I had to go home each day to let him out. Obviously, making the walk during my lunch hour would press me for time. So, I started driving.
That was 1996. Even after he developed adult toilet habits, and I did not return home for lunch each day, I continued to drive. Ease trumped health.
Fast forward to 2009. One of the health benefits of living in Mexico is walking. In my village, I walk everywhere. Shopping. Visiting. Cruising the beach.
Within a couple months, I had dropped 30 pounds. My blood pressure was normal. My blood sugar was normal. My triglycerides were reduced by over 50%.
I felt good.
My brief return to work on crutches in May quickly reversed that process. With the help of the odd Coney dog and packet of crisps, I started to blossom into the jumbo-sized Steve.
There was an odd shift of weight. My right thigh and calf starting looking as if they belonged to Twiggy while my waist looked as if Charles Laughton had taking up housekeeping in my mid-section.
The friend who has driven me to work each morning for the past three months is on vacation this week. I decided it was time to get back to my pre-1996 days. Or, at least, to enjoy one of the perks of Mexico by walking to work.
It took me 30 minutes. About half again as long as it would normally take me. When I had a normal right ankle. But it felt good. Not only to get the exercise, but to enjoy the scenery along the way.
The photograph at the top of the blog is the Oregon State Capitol, a place where I once wanted to work. I am now content that it is simply about the half-way point between my house and my job.
It took me 30 minutes. About half again as long as it would normally take me. When I had a normal right ankle. But it felt good. Not only to get the exercise, but to enjoy the scenery along the way.
The photograph at the top of the blog is the Oregon State Capitol, a place where I once wanted to work. I am now content that it is simply about the half-way point between my house and my job.
