In my New Year’s post I covered my year in cycling and a bit about the walking. In this post, I take a closer look at walking and my other daily activities and practices.

Walking–In 2023, I took a walk every day for 30 minutes or more. Sometimes two 15ers. To my recollection I didn’t miss a day, but you may check my Strava stats if you don’t believe me. It’s probably not that big a deal to regular walkers and hikers. And my streak I think was interrupted a few times in a previous year just a few days. But since starting on 1/1/2018 I’ve kept at it, which is pretty impressive to one person, at least:  me.

The other daily steps I take just in daily life equal about the same number as my walk, I’ve also had to climb stairs multiple times a day. That’s because for the last several years, I’ve been living on the second floor. Recently, I got to walk a dog for two and a half weeks, which was nice except for the picking up the piles of pungent and putrid poop.

For the next seven weeks, I’ll be walking a lot for work. I could still do better by walking more, faster, even for 100 steps especially after meals or sitting for long periods, or by going to trails and hiking in nature and up hills. However, overall, I’m on my feet more than I used to be, which is a good thing.

Yoga–I wrote all about my 10-year anniversary of daily yoga on Xmas Day, so you can check that post out if you missed it and are curious. I’m currently doing Yoga With Adriene’s annual January yoga class, this time called FLOW. She certainly makes me do more challenging poses. I could go to classes at the gym but so far, I haven’t wanted to waste the time getting there and back which is better spent cycling.

Foam Rolling–I still do a daily 5′ of this at the end of yoga. I can’t imagine not doing it now, because it releases tension in muscles, especially my legs. Using it longer, along with massage and baths, would make sense. The latter is free except for Epsom salt, so that’s a goal to soak at least weekly that I haven’t begun yet.

Swimming–I moved somewhere with access to a pool, so I got in half a dozen under 1,000 yard swims before it got too cold. Otherwise, I just didn’t do it. I could go to the gym to swm but that takes time. I would rather—and often need to be—bicycling to make up miles to meet my goal. I think it’s the sport of the future (not kickboxing–if you get that 80’s movie reference, let me know). If and when riding a bike becomes too much, which is hopefully never, swimming would make even more sense.

Writing—I continue making revisions on my bike book / autobiography / how-to / whatever it is. I completed an important milestone recently:  I finished a second full pass. I am embarrassed to say how overly long (i.e., wordy) it is. Of course I take a day or two off when I need to blog. So, this appeears to be a ongoing project, but it is one I could see forgoing if responsibility (a job) encroaches.

Reading–I just finished a novella by Walter Mosley, one of my favorite go-to authors, called Touched. It’s fantasy, philosophy, action, romance, weird, wild, and wonderful. Maybe a little wise, too. In other words, a typical Mosley work. I read a umber of books but probably not 24 like a few years ago. I stopped keeping track in Goodreads, though I try to make a note when I finish a book. A good habit, but again could be left aside, especially for more sleep.

Salad and No White Grains or Flour: I had to let this habit go a bit, due to complicated roommate situation. I’ve been also trying to not eeat so late. I’m having one now as I type, actually. So, all is not lost. I’ve stayed strong with the no bread, white rice, cookies, cake, pasta, noodles and so on. It hasn’t shown any progress like wight loss, and is a bit of a pain sometimes, but if I have one of those bad things, I’ll want more. And, I still eat other bad stuff like kettle potato chips. It’s an ongoing struggle.

Flute–I still practice 15′ a day. I enjoy it although often it’s frustrating to not improve very much on sheet music I’ve had for decades. But I just read through each etude or other piece and move on, so I do get better in some ways. And I got to play for someone recently, which was nice. A better instrument, new music and a private teacher would help if the time and money magically appear. For now, I just keep at it.

Overall thoughts–2023 was another productive year. Yes, these things take a lot of energy and time, which I probably won’t have as much of this year if I want to remain living inside, eating food, and so on. And boy am I tired!

But we’ll see how it goes; maybe I can keep up doing these things for my own health, they’ve become necessary. There’s a piece of good news on the horizon that will have a positive affect. Til then, I’ll continue striving as I am able to do my daily activities. Regular is also good if daily isn’t possible. Forward motion is preferable to none, or going backward, which isn’t really possible anyway.

Tell me about your progress meeting 2023’s goals and your New Year’s resolutions or goals for 2024. Keep up the good work! Thanks for reading and y’all do come back now, ya’ hear?

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