The View Around Loma Linda

 Today I went for a walk around Loma Linda, and here are some of the pictures I took during my
walk.

Do You Hate Driving? Then Hop On A Bicycle!

I have never liked driving, and it gets old to hear people comment on how everyone in Southern California needs to drive.  Perhaps the majority of people do drive here in the south land, but that does not mean I have travel this way.  For years I have enjoyed walking around, but a few months ago I decided to get a bike because it does cut down on my travel time.

Riding a bicycle is not as fast a driving a car, but you only need to go a three miles each way, a bicycle is a wonderful way to commute.  Also I love riding my bicycle for about eighty percent of my travel because it helps me get exercise without scheduling a workout session.  Riding a bike up a slight incline for three miles is a great workout, and you feel rewarded on the way back because you are mostly coasting downwards.  So if you want to save some money on gasoline and car repair, or if you are tired of taking the bus to work every day, why no invest in a bike?

Walk Or Bike To The Store To Avoid Parking Issues

I am not going to be doing shopping much during the holiday season because the crowds and frenzy are not really my thing.  However, there were lots of Black Friday news reports about people fighting over parking spaces, when this could have been avoided by walking or biking to the store.

If you live less than a mile from the store, then why not plan a family walk to go shopping?  Sure the stores might be a bit crowded during the holiday season, but at least you will not have to worry about fighting over a parking spot because even on regular days people can be a bit contentious about these.

A good pair of walking shoes is always a nice gift for people who are active.

Whereas I have no interest in waiting in line to buy a TV or computer, which are items that can be purchased online, I do enjoy more practical gifts like shoes.   I might treat myself to a new pair, and this is a great gift for people who are active.  A bike is also a nice gift for people who want to commute without a car.  So there are other gift options out there for the Christmas season, and walking to the store is a great way to avoid fighting over parking spaces.

Walking After Thanksgiving Dinner

Some people tell me they need to settle their stomachs by sitting down after a large meal, but I always felt the opposite.  Even though I try to portion out what I eat because even going overboard on Thanksgiving Day is not recommended, and you will feel much better if you can only eat what you truly feel hungry for.

However, rather than wanting to move around and burn off calories after this large meal, some people tell me they have to sit down afterwards.  I actually feel the opposite, and always like to get up and walk after I eat. I have been told to sit down and relax after the meal, but I always find it stifling when others tell us how to best handle things. I would always get up and start moving and go for a walk, and no one was forced to go with me.  I find it invigorating to move, which is why I am always walking or biking.

Many people up in the mountains go for meandering walks to burn off the large meal, and to enjoy the beautiful scenery.  It is so much more enjoyable than watching some sports game or repeat show on TV, and those things can be recorded these days.  So if you are feeling a bit full after your Thanksgiving dinner, a walk might be a good way  to get moving and enjoy the amazing view.

View of Highway 173 up in the San Bernardino Mountains.  I captured this image during a walk up in the mountains.

Why The Gym Is Not Required For Being In Shape

Being in shape does not mean you have to look like a fitness guru, or feel anger over some ordinary person who claims they lost a ton of weight, and posts pictures of their physique to social media. They might say provocative things about how others should strive harder to look like they do, but it is our choice if we let such comments rile us up.

All of my life I have been exceedingly active, and I have learned over the years I would rather eat balanced meals and be in shape rather than being a certain number on the scale.  Wearing a bikini on the beach is not my goal, but having toned legs really does inspire me because this helps me to bike and walk longer distances without fatigue.  I never get tired from a several mile walk, and I get an energy high from getting out there and walking and biking.

So the next time you get angry over someone telling you that you need to join a gym or weigh a certain amount to be healthy, I would just zone out.  It gets really boring when women start comparing each others physiques and talking about their weight foibles, especially when what is really going on is there is a little bit of a contest to see who is losing the most that month, week, etc.

Why not take the more solitary and economical approach to fitness and go on a walk, or buy a bike? Seriously, there is no need to spend big bucks to get fit. The truth is it is better to get into a healthy weight range, and I would rather be on the high end of that range get toned from walking and biking.  Having people tell me I look like I never eat dessert is not my goal.  Rather than get upset about the recent viral photographs people post on social media talking about their happiness over fitness and weight loss, I choose to have my own approach to physical fitness.  Even though I have been biking many days out of the week as of late, the other day I walked five miles and took pictures of a vacant field during my walking adventure.  I also spotted some stunning wild sunflowers growing in this field, and that is not something I would have seen if I had been cloistered in a gym.

Empty field with a view of the San Bernardino Mountains.

I wish I had brought my regular camera with me because the cell phone camera is just not as
vibrant, but it did suffice.

Wild sunflowers I spotted growing in the field.

Walking By The Santa Fe Depot

Last Sunday I took a walk down by the Santa Fe Depot in Redlands, and I thought about how great it would be if this train station was still in operation.

Walk And Run On The Sidewalk

As a pedestrian I often lament how drivers do not look out for us, but I will admit some travelers on foot do not practice good behavior.  During marathons streets are cut off and people are permitted to run in these, but on ordinary days runners and walkers should use the sidewalk.  The other day I spotted four people running in a row in the street when the sidewalk was nearly empty, and I found that quite amusing.  It could not be easy for drivers to navigate around these runners taking up the road, and there was no excuse for them to be in the street.

The same applies to bike riders not sharing the road respectfully.  If you are riding a bike then I would definitely go with the flow of traffic and not impede it  I have spotted a couple of bicyclists who caused a traffic jam on a windy mountain road by refusing to pull over and allow the motorists to pass.  On such roads it would just be courtesy to pull to the shoulder of the road and let faster traffic pass.  Causing a traffic jam is never a good idea, and I have heard quite a few tales about bicyclists who make driving difficult.  I used to like bike riding on flat land, but I hate riding up and down hills, and prefer to walk because I do not feel safe riding with traffic.  Also, I would not want to cause traffic jams since I know I ride a bike slower than others.

So just because there are a lot of bad drivers out there does not mean that pedestrians, runners, and bicyclists are immune.  I even read one forum where a bicyclist was commenting on how he did not care if he was impeding traffic, and how people were jealous of his toned legs, and a lot of the drivers were probably obese.  Humble much?  So I think it is great to get our exercise and be fit, but keep in mind being courtesy in the world is also an element of this.