For those who know me well and for those who don't, you might wonder what I do in my free time or if I have free time at all.
Well, regardless of what days/nights per week you may see me on the sideline of a particular event, I also try to get a walk in as many days as I can. There are some factors that don't just allow for a walk, or my walk is abbreviated.
A little background on why I walk. From the time I was in my mid-teens, I played a lot of softball. In my 20s, it's possible that I played four to five times a week, both days and nights, through church, fire company, industrial leagues and a few weekend tournaments along the way.
My point is, I had plenty of exercise whether I really realized the benefit of it.
I guess it was about six years ago that I had a required blood test. Obviously, at 43-44 years old and a lot less active, the results were going to be interesting. Throw in my love for consuming Code Red Mountain Dew and I was about to get a true wake-up call.
The blood test revealed borderline high cholesterol and high triglycerides. I certainly wasn't shocked and why should I be? Triglycerides are driven by sugar and if Code Red was the only culprit, then my numbers had reason to be high.
So, that's where my walking began and I haven't had any form of Mountain Dew since that first test. I've had sugary soda a few times, but no Dew.
In this life, to this point, I've been gifted with a pretty accommodating metabolism and I'm thankful.
When my wake-up call came, I had pushed to another pant size and I was hanging around 155 pounds. Folks, for me, that's heavy.
So, starting to walk and knocking off the sugar intake a bit, I seriously lost 6 to 7 pounds in about two weeks. Don't hate me. I said I had a pretty accommodating metabolism.
I think I stand around 145 to 146 pounds and I feel pretty good, especially when I can walk.
My blood test numbers have been up and down and while some of my issues are hereditary, a dose of medicine certainly helps, but my walk makes a difference.
I walk to aid my health, but I also walk to enjoy the outdoors and the people I meet and see along the way. It was during a walk last week that I said to myself, "this is why I love this city."
That city, of course, is Havre de Grace and trust me, I'm not the only one who enjoys a walk or run downtown or along the promenade or the length of Union Avenue.
So, you should not be surprised if you see me cruising the streets of HdG alone or with my wife when she can. Oh, and this year, we might be really cruising on our bikes.
Folks, take a walk when you can. I believe you will enjoy it, even if it's only for the health of it.