Friday, June 11, 2010

Walking with Nordic Walking Sticks...

Hmm... I feel like I'm kinda/sorta on a get-in-shape kick this week.

Sorry.

I'm not really obsessed.

I just think about losing weight and getting in shape about 23 hours a day. But I don't think that, technically, classifies as an obsession.

Do you?

But as part of my non-obsessive losing weight regimen, I've been walking almost every single day.

And when I walk I use Nordic Walking Sticks. I use them so that someday I may actually look vaguely like this picture, AND I use them to walk so that I use good posture and have zero hip or knee pain.

I highly recommend them.

If you try them, though, I think it is only fair that I warn you about some of the things you may encounter while using them.

People will fairly often make this hilarious remark..."Hey, you lost your skis!"
Oh. Yea. Ha. Ha.

Dogs may try to attack the poles. I'm not sure why, but little dogs often get ticked off with them and bark and growl quite a bit. The good thing, though, is that you at least have a weapon to hit the little pole-hating dog with. Last week there was actually a dog that got off his leash and after it finished snapping at the poles a few times I thought it was going to try and rip my ankle off. The owner was doing nothing and I thought I was actually going to have to hit the dog so it wouldn't bite me. (I don't want to hear ... awww, poor dog here. It was a schnauzer. It looked really vicious!) The owner finally got the dog under control and then got quite annoyed with me. He told me, "You should be ashamed scaring my dog with your poles like that." Ummm. OK. Yea. I actually briefly toyed with the idea of hitting him with one of them.

AND...

My personal favorite. And this one has only happened twice in the past eighteen months.

People may think you are blind.

Because obviously blind people walk down the side of the road with two bright-blue poles while listening to a lime green i-pod.

One incident involved a lady telling the guy she was walking with..."awww...look at the blind person."

The other incident involved someone tapping my arm while we were waiting for the light to change and saying, quite loudly, while distinctly enunciating each syllable, "God bless you for your bravery." At first I thought they meant bravery for walking in Arizona in the summer but then I realized they thought I was blind. Geez.

Sometimes I think it would just be easier to not bother to try and get in shape.

But I'm thinking if I stick with it, at least I will look like a blind, FIT ski-less, viscious dog magnet.

And that might be a good thing.

I think.

Sigh.

post signature

53 comments:

Allie said...

I am getting my sticks out, I can't have you out walking me! I finally updated my blog, I think I am back for a bit!

Theresa Plas said...

Spewed coffee from giggling! What a vision! Thanks for another hilarious post Jen:)

ain't for city gals said...

You go girl!!! I use the sticks when I hike in the Grand Canyon..now there is a hiking trip...just got back..so fun!..but hard..

Anonymous said...

I must admit to being one of those who says 'Where do they think they are?' when seeing people using them in town!

Has the walking helped the weight?

Terra said...

Oh Jenny, you have done it again - Started my day out with a laugh out loud, glad no one is around to ask my why moment!

What I want to know is do you pretend to be blind or let them in on your secret?

Victoria Dixon said...

This is a hoot! Thanks for the chuckle.

Jocelyn said...

Love this and I did not know that they had these!!!! You always start my day off with a smile!!

Thanks for sharing and making my day a better one!!!

Unknown said...

cool! i want walking sticks! i have a hiking stick. i wonder if i could use that? we have nasty vicious little ankle biters in our neighborhood as well.

Theresa said...

I am proud of you for walking, using sticks and not beating dogs:) Have a blessed day my friend! HUGS!

RoeH said...

Those are interesting. I think I want some. I walk the canal banks so they would be good for that. But the big question now is...am I coordinated enough to be able to use them. Hmmmmmm......

Pondside said...

The Great Dane bought me some sticks, but it's hard to get enough of a rhythm up when walking in the woods - I find I trip a lot and the sticks don't help as you'd think they would.
Brave you, to walk in the Arizona heat!

jeff campbell said...

Pretty damn funny...are you ever not funny? I can see you, like in that 'holy grail' picture with those ski poles somewhere near Strawberry...or even Canyon de Chelly...

Sami said...

I'm glad someone has heralded your bravery!! To be blind with so many small evil dogs around... bravo! ;) You are also an inspiration to mailmen everywhere, who by the way, may benefit from carrying these sticks! Keep those puppies in line, and the mail un-slobbered on. :)

Jeanie said...

I'd like to catch a little of your non-obsession from you. I fear that if I tried the walking sticks. though, that I would be a bit like the lady in the back of your picture who looks like she is just dragging the sticks and can't find the path. Maybe she is a little blind.

Michele {The Scrap Shoppe} said...

I just laughed out loud at work! I had to explain to my coworkers 1) why I was reading a blog on the clock and 2) what was so darn funny!

jen said...

I so would have hit the dog then had the owner contact my lawyer for endangering my life. Good thing you were carrying the poles. I'll be watching for the iPod.

Bossy Betty said...

I am a Nordic Walker too!!! Love it! Go out with my poles every day. I now have my neighborhood trained not to say anything!

Dee said...

I do love the way you look at the world and see humor every where. It is a blessed talent.It must be fun ti be you! :)

summersundays-jw said...

I have a hickory walking stick which looks like a hillbilly walking stick but I might start useing it. It would help hoist me up those hills. Jan

Nancy's Notes said...

You go Jenny! Great that you are walking and with sticks too! You gave me an idea, may have to try them too!
I love your blog, I always know it's good for a great big chuckle and smile!

Nancy

Marlene said...

You lost your skis!!! ROFLMAO!!!!!!!

Ok, that was really FUNNY!

Thanks for making me laugh out loud. I love laughing out loud!

Stereos and Souffles said...

LOL! And watch out for those schnauzers, my friend was out walking (without poles) and a schnauzer and a rottweiler came running towards her and one of them took a bite of her leg. And it wasn't the big dog.

Melinda said...

Laughing so hard here too.
Glas you haven't been violent with your sticks--don't need to see you on the evening news!
On the onery side--I think I would be tempted the next tiemyou get a "blind" comment to say "oh
I like that shirt you are wearing."
Just to be onery, nothing else.
Good Luck!

Melinda

mrs. c said...

YOu are too funny..I like the reack about you being blind! What a dumdum....sorry it was a Schuz. that attacked you, of course our mini, Reuben, would never do that! He would just bark his head off until you petted him and then be your friend forever! Have a great day.

Susan Anderson said...

There are none so blind as those who will not see.
(Just thought I'd throw that in...)

As for the schnauzer, boy am I feelin' ya. Don't know if you caught my post about going to Dallas and staying with a cousin whose "devil dog" (also a schnauzer) spent every minute chasing me around biting at my heels. Very annoying, as canines go.

:/

laterg8r said...

i'd feel silly using them but I also have to walk with 3 little girls LOL :D

Margaret (Peggy or Peg too) said...

that's a hoot!!

I bought those sneakers from sketchers and oh my goodness do they work you. Makes for much improved posture. But read the directions first. I wore them for the whole day. Walked 3 miles with the dog and did my own brisk walk alone for 60 minutes. That evening when I went to reach for the remote I thought I would die. My abs were barking! I then read the instructions. it said to only wear them for 25 minutes up to 45 minutes if in optiumal condition. Now that's funny. I wasn't in optimal condition or I wouldn't need these. my legs and butt didn't feel it all that much probably because I walk so much. But my abs and my lower back and hips really really felt it.

I don't think I could add sticks. Someone would probably want to help this old broad cross the street.

Cheryl D. said...

LOL! I haven't seen anyone walk with those. If I do, I'll try not to help them across the street.

Jamie said...

I have never heard of these, or seen them used, but now---thanks to your Public Service Announcement---I'll know not to offer to guide them across the busy streets. I am so happy I found your blog through Jen @ Denton Sanatorium, you always make me laugh!

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

-grin- Sounds good to me! Stability on both sides of me. Wow, do I ever need that! :-)

And not just the one pole which he made for me, to walk in snow. Walk? Mmmmm, that was just back and forth between our house and son's next door but. Well, technically, it was "walking." ,-)

Cheryl said...

Yes, today you definitely needed to let out that *sigh*

J said...

Hahaha, you're awesome!! Love this post.

IsuckIsuckIsuck. I haven't been on this thing for a little while, nor have I been very interactive. Sorry I've been so negligent! :)

C.L. Smith said...

Oh, my goodness, I nearly choked on the almonds I was eating!! SO funny...and good for you for getting on your fitness kick! You go, girl!!

The Words Crafter said...

Chuckling all the way to the end of the post and wishing I could go with you on your next walk...sounds hilarious!

One Photo said...

I admire you for walking - I have been trying to do so most evenings now summer and light evenings are here, but I do so minus the poles, but they are sounding more attractive now I know they can be used to ward off attacking dogs!

Great post!

Tracy said...

Hi Jenny I keep thinking about joining the nordic walking group but think I am too unfit

Mrs. M said...

I have never seen those before - they are nothing but the most hip and trendy things I've ever seen! :) If I see you I won't think you're blind!

Carrie @ Cottage Cozy said...

...walking is the best, Jenny, keep it up!

Wanda..... said...

Jenny, you take every simple situation in life and make it hilarious...and without much exaggeration(well most of the time)You just tell it like it is with a very funny twist!

♥...Wanda

Diana said...

whatever works Jenny! Let them joke all they want, it's great material!
Love Di ♥

Anonymous said...

Those sticks actually sound wonderful. As somebody with terrible posture, I really do think I should check it out. :)

And oh, that dog owner. I'd be so irritated.

Sue said...

I've gained at least 5 pounds since my home became a frat house. With my dad here, my son spends most evenings here too...just in time for dinner. Me...and three men, who eat...all the time. I'm too tired to do my walking tape and I'm feeling all puffy, fat and out of sorts. Dad and I will soon be back in Florida, where I really hope to eat less, walk and swim more and at least turn the white fat a little bit brown.

Linda @ A La Carte said...

I love this post and it made me laugh so hard! Oh I would have wanted to hit the guy with the nasty dog! That said, I need these walking sticks! hmmmm am I gonna get in shape myself? oh no, you are rubbing off on me Jenny!

Ms. A said...

Ha! "Stick" with it!

Christy said...

my dad uses those walking sticks when he hikes ... I'm totally going to have to share this post with him, lol!

Busy Bee Suz said...

You are so funny. I think this is a great idea, and YOU might be just the one person to make the sticks COOL.

Beth Zimmerman said...

Okay Jenny,
How the heck do those silly things help you to walk without your knees and back hurting? My knees and back hurt all the time (arthritis) so maybe I should buy some miracle sticks. But I'm dubious! And I sure don't want to become a blind brave dog-magnet!

PERMANENT POSIES said...

That was hysterical! I have never seen these poles but I am sure my dog would also consider them part of the axis of evil....along with the wind, rain, thunder, all things electric, brooms, the doorbell, wheels, the neighbors dog, all visitors and mostly....and this is electric but worthy of it's own category....the vacuum cleaner. Oh yea...that one is Hitler incarnate.
But, I promise, if my dog attacked your poles, I would not scold you...hahahahah. That cracked me up. I once had to be in a wheel chair for 6 weeks and my daughter took me shopping. The store clerk followed me around talking loudly and enunciating very clearly. She wanted to make sure I was very happy and ALL my needs were met...including my ability to hear her speak. Ok....well thanks for entertainment....I am still laughing.

Tina said...

i had never heard of those kind of sticks before.

at least you had a go. i hate exercising!

Tina from
Mummy Diaries
Gossip Avenue
Travel Shack
Game FreakZ

Lourie said...

You need a Bill Engvall "here's your sign" come back for the ski-less remarks. haha.

Dog owners like that person make dogs and their owners look bad.

Tina said...

That had me chortling up a good one...and I think you missed a golden opportunity by not hitting the schnauzer's owner...so obnoxious. You go girl! And I definitely think you're brave for walking in AZ heat. I think I'd DIE.

C.L. Smith said...

Ha-ha, Jenny!! If you only knew how much chocolate I've choked on in my lifetime!!!

Randal Oulton said...

I had never been attacked by a dog in my life but twice now in the past week have had illegally off leash dogs run out of nowhere and attack the poles. Found this post by googling the topic.