Walking the dog

I really don't like to exercise. At all. I have never found enjoyment in playing a sport, either. I know many other people who feel exactly the same way. Many of them overweight, though it's not exclusive. Fat or thin, we just don't like to move around a lot. And we've formed a club. It's the "couch potato" club. We have lots of members.
Watching sports is different. Watching sports is a food-related activity. Ball games and hot dogs, it's American! Football has tailgate parties, and wings and nachos. Football is a very fattening spectator sport. And pizza is always available for any games on TV. But going out and actually playing the game? Too much work.
For me, I think the reason is that I just don't like to sweat. Or get dirty. Or muddy, or have leg cramps, or feel tired, or out of breath, or hurt myself. The list goes on, but you get the idea.
However, a diet will only take you so far and then you "get stuck". "Plateau". It's frustrating. You're being good on your diet, but you're not losing. That's when it's time to move to the next level, exercise.
I put it off as long as I could.
I started swimming laps, because it was hot, and I like to go to the pool during the summer. I was already there, so why not swim a few laps? A few laps turned into 74 laps over the course of several weeks and I was swimming a mile. Two important things about this: 1) I AM NOT A GOOD SWIMMER. I am not fast, smooth or fluid like some of the swimmers you will see doing laps. But, I don't have to be. I just have to, as they say on the commercial, "do it". It takes me almost two hours to do a mile. I've seen good swimmers do it in a 1/2 hour. I take comfort in the knowledge that the end result is the same.
2) I found I enjoyed doing it. I find a tranquility and peace that surrounds me and I find myself relaxing and just being in the moment. I do some good thinking while I am swimming. I do some good praying while I am swimming, too. No distractions. Now, here is the important part about exercise. IF YOU DON'T ENJOY IT, YOU WON'T DO IT.
So what does all of this have to do with walking the dog? Let me explain. First some statistics. They've done a bunch of studies, and found out that people who walk their dog lost more weight than those people who don't walk their dogs. As a group, they weigh less in general. They also have lower blood pressure, better cholesterol, less depression, recover quicker from heart attacks, and reduce their chances of developing type 2 diabetes.
You may say, "so what!" We've heard it all before, "walking is good for you..." blah, blah, blah. Yeah, walking IS good for you, but we don't do it. However, dogs need to be walked or accidents happen. And people will make themselves take the dog out, whether they want to or not. Rain or shine. Hot or cold. Plus, they've found out that people who walk their dogs generally are happier and healthier than someone who just walks for exercise. Why? Because we love our dogs. We enjoy being with them.
And, when you walk a dog, you don't have to be a speed walker. You can enjoy the scenery while you walk. An added benefit: anyone who has a dog has witnessed the utter joy your dog will show when you pick up that leash. It makes it a lot easier to go out that door on a chilly day.

Years ago, when I was pregnant, the doctor ordered me to take a daily walk for exercise. We lived in a condo complex back then, but up until this time, I had left the dog walking duties to my husband. So, huffing and puffing I would walk around the complex, my 2 little Chihuahuas and our Boston terrier pulling me uphill and down like little tug boats towing a great barge. After my daughter was born and we bought a house, I made sure it had a fenced in yard and my dog walks were over. Those 3 sweet dogs are gone now, and I feel sad when I now realize that I deprived them of a source of joy when we stopped walking.
Until now. Yes, I've started walking the dog. Not all the time. We do have that fenced in yard. But I aim for once a day. And I find that I am enjoying it.
Ginger, our miniature poodle loves these walks so much, that as soon as she sees me reach for my athletic shoes, she assumes it's time for a walk. If I am just running out to the store, I try to put my shoes on without her noticing, or she has a fit. She also has learned the word, "walk", and will react immediately to it even if what you are saying has nothing to do with her.
Dogs, you gotta love them.
Unlike those joggers and fast-walker types, I'm not plugged into music while I walk. I listen to the birds, and the wind rustling the leaves. I look at the various yards as I go by and after a while you start to notice things. "Hmm, they planted a new bush", or "they've painted their shutters." Sometimes you run into other walkers. Some with dogs, some alone. You start to recognize each other and smile and say "hello". It's nice. I'm in a new club now. It's the "I want to get off the couch" club. You should join. And bring your dog along.