Rural Exercise Option #1

We live in a rural area.  Not exactly the country, but definitely not the city.  We don't live on a farm, but we are surrounded by woods on three sides and a cornfield across the road.  We live on a blacktop road, but gravel roads are just around the corner.  Walmart, the grocery store and the YMCA are only15 minutes away, but traveling to any other fitness center or larger store it's 30 miles or more.  So to work our exercise in, we head out the door and walk.



The Negatives of Rural Walking
-There are no sidewalks so you have to pay attention to your step otherwise a conveniently placed pothole will suck your body to the ground.
-You have to stay alert and watch for cars, the smell from the livestock sale barn is overwhelming at times, and with having a nearby livestock barn comes the semi's to haul away their purchases away.
-No air conditioning.
-Bugs, snakes, animal carcasses and the occasional nearby coyote.
-Since we don't have a lot of neighbors, people tend to let their dogs run loose.  They run after us sometimes...definite motive to move faster.

The Positives of Rural Walking:
-You usually get a wave and smile from those driving by.
-Sometimes you'll run into a neighbor and talk to them about what you're doing.  It's a great way to meet those you don't know.
-Lots of pretty scenery when you search for it.
-Dogs that come out wagging their tail happy to see you.
-We live near an overpass (with no ramps) and it's great for resistance walking.
-I can walk wherever I choose to go and I'm not confined to a machine, but only my body limitations.
-Fresh air.

So... it's not the best of conditions but it's not the worst of conditions and it's open 24 hours.  I just have to put it to use.