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My Fitbit and Me – Housewalking

June 18, 2015 By Jean Wise

healthyspirituality.org

Our summer challenge in Weight Watchers is to get more active. I love a good challenge and decided to “walk” the distance between my home and Avon, North Carolina, home of the Outer Banks. This is our destination for our next trip the middle of September.

So my Fitbit and I are going for a walk. I am tracking the distance – 846 miles! I need to walk about 9 miles a day from June 1 to mid September. That will give me some leeway for the weeks we have company or times I don’t get or can’t get the miles done. Stepwise – this is around 21000 steps a day for me. I know I sound crazy but I usually do accomplish 15000-20000 so this is pushing myself just a little more.

Why I am telling you this? (And all the while praying you don’t stop reading or unsubscribe since now you think I am looney)

Two reasons:

  1. Please hold me accountable and in your prayers. I promise to report later on in the summer how I am progressing but also promise not to bore you with frequent accounts.
  2. The second reason is how I am doing this – Housewalking. To be truthful, since the weather is better now, I am doing more walking outside but the majority of time, I pace inside of my house. No excuses. Any time of the day. Even in my nightie and bare feet. And yes, my neighbors must think I am nuts with all the movement! LOL

I orginaly read about housewalking from Hungry Girl. This is the first exercise program that has appealed to me and one I have been consistent with.

But interesting enough housewalking has also taught me some deeper lessons.

  1. Planning – I do some of my best planning and brainstorming while circling the rooms in my home. I think about upcoming children’s sermons, menus to plan, blogs posts to write.
  2. Praying – So many of you walk along with me in my heart and my prayers. God listens, I stride. I sometimes grab my prayer list and lift friends and family up with each step.
  3. Intercepting Points – Most days I am walking when my hubby is at work but twice a week he is home – housewalking too. And yes we pass each other and occasionally collide. These bodily fender-benders have increased my awareness to his location. I sense his presence. “Just where in the house is he at that moment?” I take notice of his steps.

Oddly enough, this new skill – paying attention and listening deeply- has crossed over to my spiritual life. I attend for God’s guidance, especially in the crossroads and intersection of life. I sense his presence. I take notice of his nudges.

The healthier I get physically – the more attune I become spiritualy to God. What a surprising unexpected gift!

Have your tried housewalking? What is your favorite form of fitness?

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Filed Under: spiritual lessons, spiritual practices

Comments

  1. Ceil says

    June 21, 2015 at 12:40 pm

    Hi Jean! I come back from vacation to find you ‘housewalking’ and setting all kinds of physical and spiritual goals…inspiring! I know all that walking will give you the time and peace to create new and inspiring talks and blog posts too.
    You go girl!!
    Ceil

    • blankJean Wise says

      June 21, 2015 at 8:47 pm

      Welcome back. Hope you had a great time. Thanks for the encouragement. I did keep up lots of walking but not as much while on retreat last week. Now back to routine tomorrow morning!

  2. blankTeresa says

    June 20, 2015 at 8:53 am

    I’ve done some housewalking and jogging in place to get my steps in. I love my FitBit. I need to do more, though. I don’t get in the steps I need. Thanks for the reminder! #sitsbogging

    • blankJean Wise says

      June 20, 2015 at 4:51 pm

      love finding another fitbit lover! I find taking a challenge like the one I wrote about = gets me going. hard to do each day though I try.

  3. blankHugmomma says

    June 19, 2015 at 6:26 pm

    You can do it, Jeanie! Walking changed my life. Last year, I lost 60 lbs walking. As soon as I lost the first 10 , I was amazed at the improvement I was feeling in my body , and losing more seemed easy. I need to get back to it, because I am off my regime, and the benefits other than weight loss are enormous. Exercise is as good as any medicine to make you feel better. Let’s do it!

    • blankJean Wise says

      June 19, 2015 at 8:28 pm

      You are so encouraging. love your story too – that will inspire me to keep at it. I lost 65 pounds two years ago, then only 5 last year. not much this year either so am hoping this will rekick in my motivation and weight loss journey. Lets’ encourage each other.

  4. blankTom says

    June 19, 2015 at 4:17 am

    Thanks for sharing Jean! Does a Fitbit track your distance?

    • blankJean Wise says

      June 19, 2015 at 8:27 pm

      Hi Tom, glad we found each other over the internet. Yes my fitbit tracks miles, steps, calories ( though I think it rates calorie use high), shows the time of day too. I have the basic one but other models do even more. I really like it and it has been a real motivator for my fitness. I have never been one to exercise much so this is a success for me.

  5. blankMartha Orlando says

    June 18, 2015 at 3:25 pm

    I’ve never tried housewalking, Jean, but what a great idea! I do get to the gym at least three days a week, so that’s my exercise. 🙂 I like that this walking gives you time for prayer and reflection. Blessings!

    • blankJean Wise says

      June 18, 2015 at 5:07 pm

      Martha, I love house walking. first time in my entire life I have been constant with an exercise program. And what a surprise God came along too.

  6. blankTami Brigle says

    June 18, 2015 at 1:45 pm

    I’m constantly in awe of your step count! You’re a great example of what it means to have no excuses when it comes to your health. I’ll be cheering for you as you work toward your goal!

    • blankJean Wise says

      June 18, 2015 at 5:06 pm

      You are beating with your weekly total now. At this retreat center I am not getting in my 20000 steps but look out next week. back to normal routine. LOL

  7. blankNancy Ruegg says

    June 18, 2015 at 11:43 am

    Kudos to you, Jean, for setting a challenging goal and persevering to achieve it! And I love that out of physical training you’re discovering elements of spiritual training as well! Another lesson from getting in shape: Results come slowly, with effort. Yet over time we begin to feel increased energy, greater strength, firmer muscles, better balance, etc. In the spiritual realm we can’t see progress so readily. But close inspection of our thought-life, reactions to others, and level of self-control can indicate we ARE growing the fruit of the Spirit. Thank you for including us in your journey (no pun intended)!

    • blankJean Wise says

      June 18, 2015 at 5:06 pm

      God sure shows up in unexpected places. = even hoofing along with me. At the retreat center I have been walking outside. God and I had quite a discussion about why he created mosquitoes though today. LOL

      • blankNancy Ruegg says

        June 19, 2015 at 1:36 pm

        That is a VERY good question, Jean! 🙂

  8. blankgrandmaperla says

    June 18, 2015 at 9:02 am

    You go, Girl! Pacing is far better than sitting! God is guiding you to a way that works for you. Keep us in the loop about your progress.

    • blankJean Wise says

      June 18, 2015 at 5:05 pm

      With all the writing I do, getting up and walking for 10-15 minutes every hour is also much more healthier of me. What has been surprising is God walks with me too.

Healthy Spirituality – a sacred space to nurture your faith, grow closer to God, and belong to a community, walking together on life’s journey. This blog is written by author, speaker and retreat leader Jean Wise

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