Chapter 1 - The Push to Start Walking

Recently, my daughter encouraged me to revisit my walking routine. Although I’ve never been particularly fond of exercising, walking is something that most people can easily do. In the past, I used to walk frequently and genuinely enjoyed it. However, as I've aged, my lifestyle has leaned towards being more stationary.

I find myself spending long hours at my desk, followed by the temptation to collapse on the couch in front of the TV to recuperate from a day of sedentary work. So, when my daughter suggested we start walking together, I convinced myself it was time to get moving. I thought, "It'll be beneficial for you," and "You'll feel revitalized." But deep down, I was aware that it wouldn’t be a breeze.

When my alarm rang at 6:15 AM on our first day, my first drowsy thought was, "Why am I waking up so early?" My motivation was barely above zero—only kept afloat by the knowledge that my daughter was relying on me. I was taken aback when she arrived, accompanied by her husband and a friend who was closer to my age. There I was, unprepared and perspiring, trudging along until someone would signal it was time to stop. I was so out of breath that having a conversation was out of the question. Yes, I recognize my challenges.

I won’t pretend that I felt better after that first session, because I didn’t. However, when I returned the next day, I noticed that her husband had already dropped out of our little trio. By the end of our walk, my daughter confessed she nearly canceled. This is where having a third person became invaluable.

Shaniece reminded us of our initial motivations for walking and the numerous health benefits associated with it. Her encouragement helped us stay focused until we completed our hour-long stroll—exactly what I needed at that moment.

I noted that it might require all three of us to maintain our motivation. Committing to others feels different from merely promising yourself you’ll engage in an activity; you know that they depend on you just as you rely on them. I hadn’t realized how much I needed this extra layer of accountability until it became apparent.

So, it’s clear that it will indeed take the three of us to keep me motivated in sticking with this walking routine.

In the song "It Takes Two," Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock highlight the power of collaboration and motivation in working towards shared goals, much like our walking endeavor.

Chapter 2 - The Importance of Accountability

"Make Me Wanna" by Thomas Rhett explores the feelings of motivation and desire, which resonate with our journey in establishing a consistent walking routine.