As one… ahem…matures into a person of age, it is important to maintain robust activity. Many go to the gym (my husband is a gym rat), some work with trainers, some do yoga, some run, some walk miles on the treadmill. I have tried them all, yet these activities bore me to tears. Literally – I WANT TO CRY, I HATE IT SO MUCH!
But, I need the exercise to stay alive. So I had to find some way to enjoy it.
Five Ways To Enjoy Exercise:
1) Walk With a Canine Friend…
…but not feline, as I understand this is difficult. Unfortunately my wonderful canine friend – a gorgeous Wheaten Terrier named Phineas – has developed a rather disabling agoraphobia, relating to the noise from long-term construction around our building. He is the only dog I know that when gleefully stating, “Let’s go for a walk, Finn!” he retreats to the other room, or relieves himself on the floor, in a definitive effort to tell me: “Hell no, I won’t go”. Walking the dog soon becomes dragging the dog. “Let’s go for a drag, Finn!” Not so much fun to exercise while dragging a dog. I am hopeful that when construction ends, our happy walker will return to us. Until then…
2) Walk With Your Spouse.
These are times when the stress of life can be pushed away.
3) Walk With A Chatty Girlfriend…
or be a chatty girlfriend walker. If I can walk with someone with a constant stream of give and take dialogue, I can walk for great distances!
4) Walk With A Camera…
As I carry my smartphone, which works as my pedometer, I use the camera on it. I am decidedly not a photographer, but the camera on the phone works quite well and takes pretty good pictures. I gather my digital mementos of interesting buildings, signs of locations I want to later web search, items that catch my eye, and “found” art. I have come to really enjoy urban art (more like mural art, less like graffiti in nature). I enjoy the sights. I have discovered that I am surrounded by art as I roam around. I offer my favorites here in the hopes that you, too, might delight in the art around us.
March 2013 – Surprising Park in Washington DC
January 2015 – Neighborhood rambling
Through these walks, and subsequent web searches, I have been introduced to a variety of styles and artists. Let me introduce you to two from the gallery above:
Frank Gehry, was the architect of the Chart House in Jacksonville, FL. His work has been the subject of a couple of TED talks:
Enzo Torcoletti, an Italian Sculptor, whose work caught my eye during one of my walks:
5) Walk With a Camera In A Foreign Country…
Boy, what a great way to forget you are actually exercising. So much to see…so little time.
April 2013 – Walking around Spain
April 2013 – Exploring Portugal
April-May 2014 – The Beauty that is Italy…
So…I need to walk…outdoors…in pretty neighborhoods…in urban settings…in foreign countries…chatting with someone…with my smartphone camera.
What helps you exercise? What art have you found while pursuing exercise? Share your found art here #artofthewalk
Come to California and I’ll share my favorite walks with you!
Would love it!