As a writer it’s easy to get lost in a world that exists only in your head. To get that story on the page just the way you want it can take hours. If you’re not careful, intentional movement will stop, and you will end up sitting a great deal. Our bodies were not created to sit for long periods of time. They were made to move.
Plus sitting staring at a screen, computer or T.V. you miss out on God’s magnificent creation.
The view from one of the tops. Garner State Park, Leakey Texas
The view from the bottom of the hill. Garner State Park, Leakey Texas
Our brain needs movement to function at its best. Our body needs movement to keep it healthy Numbers don’t lie – My health was slipping away from me and I needed to do something to restore my well-being. I love landscapes and taking pictures, so why not utilize my passions to get me moving?
Lost Maple State Park, Vanderpool Texas
Sun setting on 474, Boerne Texas
And it’s research. If you have read any of my books you know that the Texas Hill Country is a secondary character. It has molded me and it shapes the characters that walk through my mind and onto the pages. Through stories I get to share my Texas.
Boerne Texas Main Street Plaza
Boerne River Walk
Walking Along the edge of downtown San Antonio, Texas
Guadalupe River , Boerne Texas
Walking was something I could do for the rest of my life. Something I could do every day. I put on my shoes and walked to the end of my road (which does include a nice incline). There and back was half a mile, and it took me fifteen minutes. But I had seen those sites many times. So I decided to hit the hills. We purchased a Texas State park pass and visited all the local parks and all the free city parks.
I can also use my smart phone to record ideas and scenes while I’m walking and as soon as I get home, I’m on a roll with my story.
The benefits have been great. Not only have my numbers improved (cholesterol, blood pressure, sugar levels and weight), but I have more energy. I didn’t realize how sluggish my brain had become during this time period.
Walking to better physical health has helped my creative brain have so much fun.
Walking along the coast of Texas. South Padre
Writing might be a stationary career, but it doesn’t need to be your lifestyle. Do you have a favorite physical activity? Dancing, yoga, biking, tennis, vacuuming or maybe you dance while you vacuum? Do you have favorite park – national, state or city park? I love planning trips to explore new places.
Jolene’s life, much like her stories, is filled with faith, family, and all of life's wonderful messiness. She knows that, as much as the world changes, people stay the same. Good and evil. Vow-keepers and heart breakers. Jolene married a vow-keeper who showed her that holding hands and dancing in the rain never gets old. She loves creating stories of love and faith in her much loved Texas.
Hi Jolene, totally agree with- if I don’t move, then I feel like a slug! I’m lucky because my office is at the opposite end of the school to the staff room/admin building so I have some excuse to walk around!
I love biking and walking and am happiest when out exploring somewhere with the family. Favourite parks: the Blue Mountains, Bogong High Plains, Flinders Ranges…lots!
Blessings:)
I do love exploring with my family. Keep walking and exploring!
Living with a chronic disease, I realized the importance of good health many years ago. I make a point of working out every day, whether it’s on my treadmill, elliptical or walking outside. For me, it’s one of the best stress relievers available. I’m happy you’ve taken control of your health, Jolene.
Thank you Jill. I wish had had started years back, but no excuses going forward. :)
Hi Jolene! Enjoying the great outdoors can be inspiring. Looking forward to spring and warmer temperatures in the Midwest. Being retired most of my activities involves caring for my four grandchildren – ages 11, 9, 3. and 6 weeks old. The boundless energy of our 3 year old granddaughter keeps this grandma moving. My husband and I purchased State Park passes with our car’s license plates. We enjoy exploring the back roads of Michigan and stopping at state parks to see and photograph God’s wonderful creation.
I don’t have any grandkids yet, but raising four I know how busy those ages can be. No down time with a 3 year old. lol. I had several pictures and I forgot to add them. Enjoy God’s creations – your little ones and the landscape.
I love taking my kids to state parks. We are looking forward to warm weather & time spent outdoors!
The parks are the best. So happy we have them.
Love it, Jolene! I’m so proud of you and I always look forward to your amazing pictures from your walks. xoxo
I think you might have been on one of those walks! :)
Those are some great pictures. I’ve only been to Texas once and I was too young to remember but I would love to go back someday.
Thank you. Hope you get to come for another visit.
I used to walk a lot more often when I lived in upstate NY up until last year. I’d love to walk through the many gorges in town to go to work, church, and just about anywhere. I moved to a big city and it is a lot harder to walk. I do try to walk to and from work everyday and my friends call me crazy because that’s pretty much a 30-minute walk in each direction and it is just not something one does here. They just drive. Traffic is insane though and I’d probably spend even more time sitting (since I already work sitting in front of a computer all day and go home to sit some more).
I like your idea of working while walking. My mom used to do that–she’d go over her list of things to do, work out ideas in her head and even invite people to walk with her just to catch up (instead of meeting for coffee or tea). I never really got her until I was older, but then I used to walk to stop thinking and just clear my head from all the things I had to do.
As an academic, some of my past research was on obesity prevention and while developing a curricula, we’ve stumbled over a saying that really caught my attention: sitting is the new smoking. Of course they are both bad to our health, but we didn’t realize it was that bad and started to include more in our curricula about ways to move around. I don’t do all that I teach, but I wish I did.
When we vacation, I try to get a hotel that is in the middle of everyting so we can walk. I do walk during my lunch at work – but it takes me about an hour to get to work when the traffic is clear. LOL So waking to work is not an option. Thank goodness I have never smoked or been around smokers – one bad habit is enough. :) And I’m working hard to not do that one. Thank you for such a thoughtful reply. I truely enjoyed it.
Exercising whether it’s leisure walk or going to gym helps open our mind a great deal plus it does makes you happier and sort of worry less.
YES!! So true – it is a great stress reliever.
I love these beautiful pictures of your explorations! Thanks for sharing, Jolene.
So happy you stopped by. Thank you.
I love spending time outdoors! I can’t wait for spring so we can get out more again. Nothing like sunshine and fresh air! Love the pictures you shared!
Thank you – Spring is one of my favorite time – the wild flowers explode here in the hill country. SO many great opportunities for pictures and yes I will be posting them all over my facebook page. :)
LOTS of State parks here on the Oregon coast where I live :-) You’d have no end of places to go if you visit! Not to mention the stretch of beaches to walk, who wouldn’t love hearing & seeing the ocean on a beautiful afternoon? On nicer days, hubby and I love to go down to the beach (5 minute drive) and walk what’s called The Prom. It’s a wide pedestrian sidewalk 1.5 miles long along the ocean. People walk, jog, bike, walk their dogs or just stroll along enjoying the sights. You’ll see million dollar houses and fancy hotels along the way. We love it!!
Also, lots of places to hike if you enjoy that type of thing too. I’ve never gotten into it, but there are some pretty serious hikers here…lol! Biking around town or walking downtown is pretty popular too. We’re a very friendly walking community & extremely dog friendly. I see many people out walking their dogs and downtown businesses even put out bowls of water outside their establishment in summer time. So you see, walking is pretty easy around here, you just gotta go out and do it….lol! Even my pastor & his wife walk twice a day :-)
I love seeing all the pictures Jolene! It’s so pretty out there and the South Padre looks a lot like our beaches here. I’d love to visit the Texas hill country one of these days. Great post, thanks for sharing! Congrats on getting out there and walking & all the health benefits you’ve already seen. Yay!
We took a trip out west this past summer from Virginia. I could not get enough of all the sights! Albuquerque NM, Sedona AZ, Ogden UT, the Teton Mtns. It was so much fun! My favorite physical activity is running. Our church did the Couch to 5k two years ago, and I’ve been running ever since. I try to get in 3 miles at least 3 times a week. It’s more challenging in winter when it gets dark so early. Love your pictures of Texas!
I need to get back into the walking routine. I have gained even more weight and yes, feel tired and sluggish all the time. I’m looking forward to warmer weather, to me spring and fall are the best walking times for temperature. I love the pictures you shared.
Thank you. Yes I agree spring and fall or my favorite times of year. The landscape is also more vibrant with change. In Texas the it is well into 100s by noon – so walking has to be done early, like as soon as the sun comes up – otherwise it’s just too hot.
When I hit my mid-50’s and my body decided to start gaining weight, I finally started pursuing a habit of walking 30 min. at least 5 days a week. We live near the beach and the redwoods, so those are my favorite places, but when I don’t have time for that, it’s 15 min. to the grocery store, so I take my backpack and get in my walk that way :-)
Yay!! Yes I don’t always have times for walks – so I hit my indoor bike while I watch a show – or dance. Have to find a way to move. :)
Hi Jolene, I love these landscapes. You’ve definitely made me want to see the Texas in those pictures! :) And you’re so right that keeping active helps you feel less sluggish, more ready for the future.
Thank you. I love taking pictures, so it’s a true pleasure to get to share them. :)
Thanks for the reminder to get back to walking! Between a bad cold, company, -20 weather, hubby’s knee surgery, and then several feet of snow, I’ve gotten out of the habit in the last couple of months. It’s snowing again today, but our country road has been plowed recently enough that it’s walkable. I’ll do it today!
No snow in my part of Texas, but during the summer the temp goes over 100 – so not good walking conditions. I have to make sure I plan someway to move. Hope your hubby has a fast recovery. I had my ACL and meniscus replaced/repaired a few years back. If everything go well – he will love not being in pain.
I certainly understand wanting to see those numbers come down! I like to walk, too, and watched my numbers melt away a couple of years ago. I was good for a year or more, but have gotten sluggish again, and consequently have seen the numbers climb again. I have recently begun my walking routine, and look forward to spring and summer for more hiking! Your pictures are beautiful. Do you photograph your own book covers?
Movement, I’ve learned, is the key to life and, as you shared and your commenters agreed, it’s the best way to see more of God’s beauty.
I’m a new writer who just joined this site today and this is the first blog I’ve read. Very interesting in that the main characters characters in my series are all involved with walking.
I love your photos and also wonder if you do your own book covers.
Welcome to the world of writers! Yes God inspires me when I walk through his landscapes. Harlequin does the book covers. They have an art department in Canada that does the photo shots and layout. I love what they have done for my covers.
That is pretty cool! I’ll be publishing myself so yesterday I made friends with Canva and did eleven covers.
Learning as I go…
I like Canva – great for designing promo too
It’s so easy to slip into days of not moving. My books are with Harliquin – they’re art department is in Canada and they do the photo shots there for the covers. I got a sneak peak at my July cover the other day – can’t wait to share it. Waiting to see my Aug cover.
Book blogging is very sedentary as well. Recently I’ve started using a treadmill desk and I can log 3-5 miles writing a review (because I am a reader and not a writer and the words come slowly).
As a family we enjoy state and National Parks. We’ve been geocaching since before my son (11) was born. The kids call it “treasure hunting.” I call it a great way to unplug and get outside.
Favorite National Parks over 16 National Parks so it’s hard to pick a favorite. Perhaps Zion, Denali, or Yellowstone. Yosemite and Glacier are next on my bucket list.
Amanda