Covid-19 was the best thing to happen to dogs. I’ve had a dog for as long as I can remember. I grew up with them and when I went out on my own and got married, our first baby was a dog. We adopted him from the local SPCA and named him, Taz. He was a complete shit-head puppy. Full of piss and vinegar. We had to run him at least twice a day to get rid of his energy and boredom. He had huge paws, which meant he was going to be a big pup. Tazzy grew into a massive, black hairy, fun-loving pet. Not long after, we had our first daughter, Jillienne. Time for dog walks became scarce and when there was time, we were too sleep-deprived to take him. Thankfully, my parents agreed to let him stay with them. They had a five acre parcel just out of town and my Dad would take him to work and run him up and down the bush roads behind his truck. He was a bit like a lab crossed with a gazelle. When they would go away, we would have him at our house. So he essentially had two, loving homes. It was such a sad day when we had to say goodbye. We still talk about him to this day. He had so much personality and we loved him so much.
When our second daughter, Grace was in Kindergarten we decided to get another dog as she loved animals so much. I would plead with any young family not to make the same stupid decision. As much as we love dogs, we were so busy running to work, school and extra-curricular activities, that our pet was neglected. So, feeling guilty, what do we do? Make another dumb-ass decision to buy him a friend. The breeder of our first puppy, Charlie was downsizing his farm and asked if we would buy his uncle who was two years older. Sure, why not. At least they will have each other.
I could write a novel itself on all the shit those two dogs got into. Thankfully, we also live out of town on five-acres. However, even with a gated fence, those two little jack-asses would escape if someone drove in or we drove out. I’m sure they had a lot of fun adventures exploring the forrest and harassing the trail goers.
We lost Sam (the uncle lab) a year ago. But then something happened. Charlie became our pet. Another thing I would recommend if you are dumb enough to get a dog, is only to get one dog. Two dogs, bond to each other. One dog, bonds with you.
When the whole lock-down began, I knew I was going to have to keep my kids active. So I started forcing everyone out for a walk every single day. Snow, wind, rain, mud, I hauled everyone out the door either before or after dinner into the trails behind our house. It became part of the routine. I had never really walked everyday like that before. I saw it as something that “wasn’t intense enough” or “wasn’t going to get me fit”.
During the summer months and when I’m on vacation, I make it my mission to get in as many walks as possible. The goal is to keep the body moving and to burn off a few of the extra vacation calories. Last summer when we went to Italy, we walked a minimum of 10kms a day. My family hated me. haha. Oh and that time that we went to San Francisco with our best friends Tracy and Mike. They did the Segway tour, while Chris and I did our own walking tour. By the end of the day, we had walked 20kms and Chris was literally ready to murder me, but he had no strength left to do so! haha!
One of the things that I’ve always advised my clients is to do is walk. A minimum of 20 minutes a day. People seriously under-estimate the power of walking for fitness. I was obviously a bit of a hypocrite and I did too! However my thinking was that for someone starting out its something “small” to start the habit of working out. Its also a good way to start building up the cardiovascular system and strengthening up those joints and muscles. Interestingly enough, I didn’t think it was good enough for me because I was “already fit”. I ignored the fact that it would help me with recovery and stress. So this is something I have definitely changed my mind about over the past three months after 210kms of walks and now, I don’t think I will ever go without. If I miss a day, it feels like I haven’t brushed my teeth!
Walking reduces cortisol, our stress hormone. I recommend when walking to leave the headphones at home. If you have access to walking in the forrest or out in nature, you’ll get even more benefit.
I really enjoyed the time to chat with Chris and the girls. We had to make a point of not talking about the pandemic because that counteracted the effects of reducing cortisol. At times, the girls would lag a bit behind us and they chatted as sisters and I could hear lots of laughing, which made my heart so happy. Now, when I’m out walking alone with Charlie, I just really try to be present. Listen to the birds, feel the breeze on my face and take in all the spring smells.
Walking can reduce joint pain for everyone. Its an excellent mode of recovery for those who workout. This is definitely one of the benefits that I have had. I tend to be one of those people who thinks unless you beat yourself up during a workout, its not worth it. Its amazing how much wisdom you can gain during times of crisis (insert wink).
Walking can reduce blood pressure, increase your cardiovascular health, it can clear your mind, making it easier to sleep and it can allow your creative juices to flow freely.
As the winter slowly turned to spring here in the Kootenay’s, I loved to pay attention to the various smells. The new buds on the trees, the larch trees gaining their lime green needles and now, the little lady slippers and lupins that have blossomed on the mossy forrest floor. I’m so blessed to be able to walk out my door and into a beautiful map of trails right behind where I live. I do take my bear spray now as there are a couple sets of bears hanging around back there.
The point I wanted to make with this post is that I know that people undervalue the benefits of “just” walking. As a trainer, hearing so many times, “I don’t want to workout, I don’t have time to workout”, so on an so forth. I encourage people to start by lacing up a pair of runners and walking for 20 minutes. Everyone has time for that and if you think you don’t, its time to re-evaluate your life.
Also, its a good time to reframe your thinking or your words around it. Be grateful that you “get” to go for a walk. Rather than myself saying, “I HAVE to take Charlie for a walk.” I now think, “I GET to take Charlie for a walk.”. My legs work and I need to take care of this one body I have. Charlie too has now come to “expect” his walk. His restlessness and driving me insane is MY cue that its time to get him out. I owe it to my dog, whom I chose to be a part of our family to keep him healthy and limber as well. He has an arthritic and painful elbow, but nothing stops him from wanting that walk. Dogs are so simple. They get so much pleasure and happiness out of their walks, that it would honestly be shameful for me to not take him out.
So get out there and walk. Make it a part of your day. Three months have passed and I too am like Charlie. If I don’t get my walk, I feel restless and agitated. Even on my gym days, I still enjoy those walks in nature with my furry guy.