Japanese Walking

 Japanese Walking is another name for interval walking. The idea is to walk for 3 minutes at a normal, strolling pace, then 3 minutes at a fast pace. You do this for 15 minutes. Sounds nice and simple, something that I could do!

I've been trying this on and off for a few months! If I'm honest, it's been more off than on! When I'm at the community centre on Wednesdays, I have over an hour between classes, so I've been doing the interval walking there! I'm in a big tatami room, with heating in the winter and air conditioning in the summer. I can do up to 10 minutes now without pain! 

Other days I think I should walk around the garden or area, but I have so many excuses, it's too hot, it's too cold, it's raining, and of course, my favourite one, I'll do it tomorrow, which never comes! The other day, I came across a video of a lady showing how to do Japanese Walking at home, just walking in place. Why didn't I think of that? I also realised that I have a tatami room here, not as big as the community center but big enough to walk around!

So I'm going to start doing this Japanese Walking consistently. For the next week, I want to try 15 minutes every other day! The 15 minutes five days a week. If I'm alright, no back pain or knee pain, I'll try to add a couple of minutes every week.

One reason I want to focus on walking is that Hannah and I have a trip planned for the end of March, just 8 weeks away. I want to be able to walk, without pain if possible, or at least less pain. I know that keeping up with Hannah is hard, but I think if I can do this exercise, then maybe it will be easier. I don't want to be the old lady complaining about aches and pains all the time!

The weather here has been rather weird. Last week it was like spring, with temperatures up to 19 °C. The past couple of days, it hasn't got over 5C. 

I took these photos on Tuesday when we were at the other city to teach. I was wondering if it would rain or snow!

Dark clouds one way,

opposite view was a real mix!

The next morning, I could see snow on the mountain! It tried to snow here, but only a few flurries for about 5 minutes!

Snow on the mountain!

I'll let you know how I get on with this walking!