I did an experiment over the weekend. Using my free GamesTown pedometer as a gauge, I wore it on both Saturday and Sunday while doing entirely different activities. Day One of my experiment consisted of mostly all fun while Day Two was mostly all not.
Saturday morning began with a leisurely breakfast. After that, we hustled about readying to go fishing. The kids got dressed warmly as yes it was raining and cold again.
A can of dirt and a dozen digs later we still had no bait. I thought worms were supposed to like the rain? The kids and I called “uncle” and drove to our friend’s house where we were almost skunked again by those sly worms, (four were found in the compost). We decided the worms were too smart to come out on such a cold day and loaded up for the lake. A short drive later, dog, humans, backpacks and fishing poles were moving by foot on a half hour hike mostly uphill until the lake was before us.
With a water and snack break down, we flipped the rowboat and set the oars into the oarlocks. A push off and we were propelled forward by just human power. We prepared for warfare.
A row across the lake had us wondering if the fish were following in the footsteps of the worms. My son Matt leapt to shore and hauled the boat closer. We stood on a big rock at the mouth of the lake and just fished. No cell phone, no ipods, no electronic devices of any kind were in sight.
The worm rationing led to some challenges. One rod had a worm another had a fly. Which would work better? Shelby had the first hit. It was a catch and release little gaffer. Then, Shelby caught its sister. It too was given a mulligan.
A good hit and I was reeling in Walter. Only in true Walter form, he escaped. The rain began. Then, the wind settled in. The fish did not like the weather and in protest stayed down in the depths.
We loaded into the boat, dropped our lines and rowed back. The sun came out and gave us time to zigzag towards the end. Matt hooked the other brother of Shelby’s fish. Bye fish.
A hike back and a lunch by bbq instead of over a fire that wouldn’t light because of the latest downpour had us homeward bound. The busy day ended on a couch with almost 10 kilometers logged on the pedometer - not too shabby.
Day Two was expected to be the loser in the pedometer race, but one clean house later with groceries bought and stored, the pedometer logged in at 15 kms. I know I am always exhausted by the end of a heavy house cleaning day, but wow...now I know why.
I have to admit I really enjoy wearing my pedometer and have been surprised more than once by the outcome. To have actual proof that you were active is rewarding and encourages me to take a few extra steps each day. Neither day was spent doing traditional exercise, yet both got the job done rather nicely. The moral of the story is to just do. An active person has stories to tell, there isn’t too much one can say about a couch.