“Before anything else, preparation is the key to success”
Alexander Graham Bell
I have been talking about how morning walk is a fantastic way to kick off the procastinated health goals. In continuation of my series on the habit of walking from how to motivate yourself into walking habit...https://musingsmorningwalker.com/the-first-step/ to the fantastic experience of morning walks https://musingsmorningwalker.com/the-view-through-my-shoelace-loops/ I thought it was apt to write this one now. Now, that you have started your walks you will have to get some basics right. There are do’s and don’ts for everything. So is true, for early morning walking. This is my list of do’s and don’t of morning walk. Friends ! the preparation starts the previous night.
Have a light meal
Don’t gorge on oily fried or cheesy stuff, the night before. Eat light is the mantra. Enough to abate the hunger yet, not make you feel stuffed. learning to cook healthy and tasty is an art worth acquiring.
Hit the bed early
Do sleep early at least by 10 or 10.30. If you are a person, who doesn’t get sleep easily then count that extra half an hr for shutting those eyes. Its only in the initial few weeks, that early sleeping matters. Once your body clock is trained, you will invariably wake up. Even, if you sleep past midnight.
Hydrate…hydrate…hydrate
I can’t emphasize this enough. Any form of exercise needs the body to be well hydrated. I am a poor water drinker. But over the years I have tried improving upon it. You know there are apps for this which remind you to drink up. So, drink a tall glass of water as soon as you wake up and continue to do so through out the day at regular intervals.
Eat a fruit
Now, you must eat a fruit. Yes! a fruit of your choice…no need to make lengthy juices or smoothies loaded with ice or sugar. Just a fruit…like a banana or an apple or a pear. Going for a walk on an empty stomach is never a good idea. You will feel tired soon. My husband carries almonds in his pocket and munches them along. Do what suits you. But no heavy breakfast.
Gadget free or freak
What stuff you need to carry? This will entail another article in detail I guess. For now, suffice to say carry your mobile as it can act as your time piece, step counter, music player and of course as a phone. It all depends on, how far away from home you go. For places close to home just a wrist watch would suffice. That’s what I do. Now, I find it an unnecessary baggage to carry a mobile as the weight impedes me while I am jogging. However, if you must go further away, then you got to carry a whole lot. Wallet, mobile, house key etc you can buy a decent silicon walking belt like the one above which carries it all.
Dress comfortably
What dress to wear? Just about anything which is comfortable and socially acceptable. I prefer cotton tees and ¾ jogging pants with zipped pockets. Yep! that red one from adidas is mine. Each country has its own dressing norms. American dressing sensibility, middle eastern and Indian are very different. There is no one, type of attire which is right. Generally, a loosely fitting dress is a good idea. Remember, you are out for a walk not a fashion parade.
The right shoe
Shoes? Hmm.. now those are important. I have seen all sorts of variations even with that. Elderly prefer the slip on type. I prefer lacing up. My mother in law doesn’t even like shoes. She prefers those orthopedic sandals which are soft but firm and are easy to wear. So, you see even that is optional (I know so many of you may disagree with me on this). I believe at the end of the day, it’s a personal choice of comfort.
The final word
Now there are so many…many walking gears, just google it you will know what I am talking about. What I have mentioned above are the do’s and don’ts of walking that I follow. Depending on where you stay and your lifestyle and health condition you can tweak them a bit. But, what makes walking so wonderful to take up is you really don’t need any accessories at all literally it’s the least expensive habit or hobby to pick up. All you need is…to make your mind and follow the trail.
See you on the other end!