SUCH IS LIFE: Small steps toward healthier living

Posted 5/12/16

I haven’t worked out in a gym for at least 12 years. When I no longer needed to take a physical education class, I no longer went to the gym.

While attending Boise State University, I walked by a beautiful new gym on campus nearly everyday. It …

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SUCH IS LIFE: Small steps toward healthier living

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Anyone who knows me well may wonder why I’m writing a column for a Health and Fitness edition.

I never offer advice on working out or eating well — because if I did, it would be hypocritical.

I haven’t worked out in a gym for at least 12 years. When I no longer needed to take a physical education class, I no longer went to the gym.

While attending Boise State University, I walked by a beautiful new gym on campus nearly everyday. It was located across from the tiny student newspaper office where I worked. As I walked by and looked up at the gym’s second-story windows, I could see fellow students gliding on elliptical machines, running on treadmills and lifting weights.

I had free access to the gym as a university student, and yet I never once set foot in the building, let alone worked out there.

When it comes to eating habits, I would eat pizza everyday — or at least several times a week — if given the opportunity. The main reason I don’t eat pizza more often is because of my husband, CJ, who is a healthier eater. Thanks to CJ, I eat more salad and fewer pieces of pizza.

So you can understand why I don’t typically write first-person stories in the Tribune’s Health and Fitness editions. In fact, this is my first-ever “fitness” column.

The reason I’m writing this is because a couple of months ago, the Tribune switched insurance companies. Fascinating, I know.

Oftentimes, switching insurance just means stacks of paperwork. This time, in addition to all the paperwork, we also got little pedometers to track our steps throughout the day.

I know it doesn’t sound exciting, but this small device has actually changed my level of activity.

The pedometer came with an incentive: Earn up to $3 a day toward health-care costs. Of course, $3 isn’t much — though it’s enough for a slice of pizza. But throughout a year, it could add up to around $1,100.

We can earn the money by reaching three different goals. Walking 10,000 steps in a day amounts to $1. Tallying six walks that are each 300 steps within five minutes is worth another $1. And the last $1 of the day can be earned by walking 3,000 steps within 30 minutes.

When I first started wearing my pedometer, I rarely met any of the daily goals. But I saw CJ and my other coworkers accomplishing their goals, and it encouraged me to start walking more, too. Perhaps some healthy competition motivated me, but it’s also fun to celebrate those little daily accomplishments with each other.

Eventually, I reached a day when I met all three goals. A small victory, but also a rewarding one — beyond $3.

Of course, I realize for athletes and people who are more active than I am, these goals seem simple. But for me, it honestly takes effort to reach them.

Much of my workday is spent in front of a computer screen, where I sit quite still. So if I’m going to take a five-minute walk six times a day, I have to make a genuine effort to step away from my desk. (Note: If you see Tribune employees randomly walking downtown or aimlessly strolling through alleys, this is likely the reason why.)

During the walks outside of work hours, CJ and I often bring along our dog, Hank. He truly loves walks, with every fiber of his furry 35-pound being.

Hank doesn’t understand the words “pedometer” or “insurance incentives,” but he does know the word walk — and hearing that word makes him jump and spin with excitement.

As I walk more, I do feel better. On evenings when I finish the 3,000-step walk, I usually sleep better, too.

Maybe at some point, I’ll be inspired to work out more or revolutionize my diet.

For now, it’s just small steps toward a healthier lifestyle. And as my little pedometer reminds me, every step counts.

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