Barb’s Band of Merry Walkers
Every Saturday at 9am I do my regular Pole Walking Clinic – Now depending on the day (& particularly the time of year – specially the weather) I can have anywhere from no one, to up to 50 people show-up. Now last Saturday was especially cold, windy & icy (not a lot of fun) so I wasn’t really surprised that I had only one person show up to learn how to Pole Walk. But at the same time, at the same place, on this same freezing cold day the number of people who showed-up for the Walking Club Walk – was a whole different story – over 12 Keeners came ready to Walk! WOW, isn’t that awesome!
I say that because “It’s TOO COLD out!” is one is the biggest excuses out there & Walking Club membership participation & commitment, in general, is also very volatile, changing with the season if not the weather. But the majority of this wonderful group has met consistently every week (on Mon, Wed & Sat) for now 10 years! My hat is off with Big Hugs – I am so proud of them all!
Well, I do believe that our Walking Club’s success is mostly because I have kept the walk consistent, Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays – same place and time, so that it’s easy to remember. We have tried different locations (and sometimes we do have a bonus walk every so often where we meet in a different location) but being consistent with our location and time has helped us to grow (it’s easier to tell a friend or to know we’ll be there after you’ve been away).
Being Certified as a Pole Walking Instructor has brought the walk to a new level, by being able to help someone turn their walk into a full-body workout – everyone loves that we walk with purpose!
We practice safe walking as well, by always being in group (no one walks alone) and we enjoy nature and getting to know each other. The ladies know I can’t help but call when one of our regular Walkers doesn’t show up – we are like family and someone is missed when they aren’t there.
The group has now grown to over 15 Pole Walkers three times a week.
As a walk leader (I really don’t like to think I’m any different – I just like walking at those times, lol) these ladies are keeping me skinny by showing up all year-round, rain or shine, stifling-hot or freezing-cold.
Thank you for being outside with me, the trees, the creek, a few friends and lots of laughs….
WALK – ON LADIES………..