The bright side...

As many of you know we are in the midst of the 1st ever Healthy Knitter mystery knit-along and walk-along. So far, it's been amazing, inspiring, and beyond my expectations.  I've been walking LOTS and able to fit in lots of extra mini-walks throughout the day. It's been good.

But then something happened...

Something unexpected...

...and it wasn't a good thing. Yup, really put a damper on my walking.

See these steps, these beautiful grey textured steps. I was late for a meeting, locked myself out of my office, ran to get the spare keys from a distant office and jumped off these steps. I knew when I pushed off that my calf was...well, let's just say "toast".

I slowly made my way back to my office (someone else finished my run to get the spare keys) and waited for a ride home. I sat in my office, feeling a bit nauseous from the pain, thinking about all the ramifications...what about my walking?

The next day I saw the dr. He provided me with the "boot". He referred me to the podiatrist where I received my "marching orders". Wear the boot at all times except sleeping or showering and come back in two weeks.

You may be wondering why this is titled "the bright side". Honestly, it took me a few days to find the silver lining in this situation. And then it came to me.

For the past year I have worked hard to find an approach to being physically active that was sustainable. In the past I have prioritized my activity which led to over-doing and I would ultimately get injured. I made a vow to myself that I would find a way to stop the yo-yo pattern of activity (aka gung-ho for several months followed by very little activity for several months).

This is the first injury that I've had that was "just cuz". And to me that was progress.

Weird, fluky things happen. We get hurt. We get back up and carry on. I'm motivated to have my calf heal. I have big plans in the upcoming year that involve a lot of walking. I must be patient.

Perhaps your walking or activity plans have been influenced by unforeseen circumstances. It happens. Make a plan for how you can get back on the trail.

Knit one. Walk two.

Eating healthy...

Did you know that there is a National Eating Healthy Day? Ok, so it was yesterday but why not make every day a healthy eating day?

Green leafy veggies, melons, farm-fresh eggs...

Garlic, ginger, squash, root vegetables...

Winter will be here soon and in some places the snow has arrived...warm, hearty soups, home-made bread and soothing teas come to mind.

If you are interested in learning more about National Eating Healthy Day take a look at all the resources listed here. I also noticed that the first Wednesday in April is National Walking Day.  Sounds like I better start thinking about ways to celebrate...

Knit one. Walk two.

The journey...

“Every day you may make progress. Every step may be fruitful. Yet there will stretch out before you an ever-lengthening, ever-ascending, ever-improving path. You know you will never get to the end of the journey. But this, so far from discouraging, only adds to the joy and glory of the climb.”

— Winston Churchill

Perhaps Winston Churchill was referring to a monumental act in time; one of those historical events I should probably remember. Alas I don't, so I'm inserting my interpretation as it is applicable to the current Healthy Knitter walk-along. 

In week 1 of the walk-along, "Interlude" we begin with acknowledging our overall goal for the 6 weeks and then develop a weekly walking plan. "Every day you make progress. Every step may be fruitful". Each day represents an opportunity to take steps towards a healthier you. But this is a process and not one that ever ends. Our quest to be healthy is continual; so as Winston Churchill so eloquently reminds us this is an ever-lengthening and ever-improving path and represents an amazing process. This is our journey.

I have a bracelet that I purchased years ago at a time in my life when I felt I needed more peace and patience. My 3 children were young (all under the age of 5) and I was exhausted. The bracelet was inscribed with the following:

“Peace, this we choose each day...”

I've recently decided that I need a new bracelet that reads:

“Health, this we choose each day...”

Knit one. Walk two.

A humbling experience...

I'm inspired. Inspired by all the amazing people that have joined the mystery KAL and walk-along. Their stories, their motivation, their presence...

I'm grateful. Grateful that others want to join together during the month of November to knit and walk.

When I conjured up the idea of hosting a walk-along in conjunction with a mystery knit-along, I never imagined that it would be met with such enthusiasm. We are creating a community of knitters, a network of like-minded people that are focused on their health.  It's a walking movement for knitters. Just imagine if each person in the walk-along asks one person to make a commitment to walking this month and they ask one person etc...think of all the miles that we will have walked collectively.  

If you are in the mKAL and WAL and you use Instagram. Please take photos from your walk (not the knitting part as we don't want to spoil the surprise for anyone) and post on Instagram using the hashtag #amarchthroughtime.

I love walking on the country roads.  Through the seasons the cornfields keep me company. Each season comes with a completely different visual. Here are some of my fall shots taken on a recent walk.

Knit one. Walk two.