Lately, walking hasn’t been simple. My legs start to hurt, and I can’t just go . It seems that around 5000 steps a day might be my sweet spot. Not painless, but manageable. I need to get up to 10000 steps a day… But not sure when and how I would do that.
This walk, though, felt inspiring.
The air, the road, the quiet rhythm of steps… and a small moment that made it memorable. We spotted a snake right there on the road. I waited until the snake slipped away to be sure not get hurt.
And Marley came with us.
That still surprises me. Sometimes he follows along like a little dog, not a cat at all. Just there, part of it, like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
Nothing extraordinary, really. Just a walk. But also—something that felt like enough.
Ilze
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a day in the life of a latvian mom 
Lovely!
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Thank you 🙂 Do you go on walks often where you are, or mostly enjoy the garden?
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I mostly just enjoy the garden (I have CFS/ME) . Just in from planting a
couple of things we bought at the garden centre on Monday.
Currently having a sit down with a heat pack on my back!
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Ilze – I think I told you I am still studying natural medicine at various universities in the US. Honestly, the 10,000 steps/day was just a number everyone remembered – it was never meant to be taken that seriously and is very dependent on one’s age, body mass, state of health etc . . . about 5-8000 is considered a much more logical number which you should not force – do it when you can and try and fit in some other exercise as well. And,, if t does not feel right on some days – do NOT feel guilty – that is worse for your health. I would not count the steps for a few weeks, just walk when you feel like it! I have a dear English photographer friend living in Western France with a a gorgeous cat called ‘Mr Molly’ – he walks with Roger everywhere > into the forests and shopping and working – why not – good on sociable Marley 🙂 !
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This is actually such a relief to read… I think I’ve been holding onto that 10,000 number a bit too tightly.
And Marley… yes, he surprises me every time 🙂 Mr Molly sounds like a real character! Does he really go everywhere with your friend?
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Yep! Sits on the computer when he would rather go for a walk than let Daddy work, disappears outside at night to chase all the ‘strange’ cats in the Village and keeps on falling in the backyard pool and hates the water. The guy’s name is Roger Stowell . . . a gorgeous talented man and good painter who likes fish and vegetables – look him up on Instagram if you have an account 🙂 ! He wrote a brilliant blog and got ‘fed up’ 🙂 ! And truly two ‘facts’ are not regarded quite ‘so’ any more – the 10,000 steps as a necessity and BMR as a measure of health – too many variables in different people.
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Nice!
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Thank you 🙂 Do you have a favorite kind of walk—nature, city, or something else?
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Miss Emma and I like the walking path in the city park. We try to go at least a few times a week 🙂
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It’s so fun that Marley comes along! Cats are beautiful animals in so many ways. Pain while walking is sadly something we have in common, Ilze. Its so frustrating isn’t it. A chiropractic adjustment helps.
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It really is! I never expected a cat to be like this 🙂
And yes… the pain is frustrating, especially when you want to move more. I haven’t tried chiropractic adjustments—did it help you right away or over time?
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It has helped me right away and it feels great! It took a while to find the right doctor though. my doctor uses an Actuator, it sounds like a mini air hammer but it realigns your bones nicely!
https://activator.com/
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Beautiful nature and lovely animals!
How is the weather this week?
South Florida is around 28°C (82°F). It is comfortable.🌞
I need exercise… but I am lazy…😅
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28°C sounds like a dream right now 🙂 Here it’s still quite cool, and some days feel more like early spring than almost May. Today it’s 7°C but the heat wave are coming in!
And I understand the “lazy” feeling… sometimes it’s just hard to start. What kind of movement do you actually enjoy, even a little?
I struggle after 3 kids.. I was depressed and didn’t care for myself, so now it’s time to get back on “track” 🙂
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I liked snowboarding and went to the mountains every winter when I was in Japan. But there is no snow here.
I am going back to my hometown soon. I don’t have a car there. My goal is 5000 steps per day 😊
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I don’t like snakes 🙂
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I get that 🙂 I’m a bit cautious too, especially when I don’t expect them. BUT… Change the attitude – give them space and be polite. Remember, if you see one – it’s a good sign 🙂 You are protected. Even if you don’t believe such bulls**. Others are scared too, and they won’t come close 🙂 So, technically you are protected 🙂
Do you see them often, or was it just enough to decide you don’t like them?
Our snakes are “lovely” 🙂 They are relatively small and aren’t venomous 🙂
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The issue here in Belgium is that there is only one venomous species, the European adder, and it usually stays well hidden. That makes encounters rare, but also unpredictable. Some time ago, a man resting against a tree in a heathland area was bitten after a snake had crawled in close. When he woke up, he panicked, and it ended up costing him his life.
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I think losing yourself in looking around you is the way forward – perhaps not counting steps
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I like that thought… maybe that’s what I felt on this walk without even realizing it. Just being there, not measuring it.
How are you? Sometimes I wish we all (active commenters on my posts, thank you) had a long chat over a tea!
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That would be good
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Walking daily is underrated. I hope your pain decreases. My daughter struggles with pain in her legs during walks. I feel with you.
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