Episode 17  

Today it is my pleasure to introduce to you my sister Gail Fortier, a visual artist and my partner Phil Hallford, a retired college professor in social sciences. Today they are going to talk to us about using nordic walking poles – they look kind of like ski poles. 

Hi Gail what compelled you to start using the poles? 

Well you spoke about them a lot and I was resistant until I had an upcoming trip to France – our retirement trip. There was going to be a lot of walking and I was afraid that I would not be able to keep up. 

You had just gone to a meeting and come back with a whole bunch of nordic walking poles. I tried them and I thought “yes” I can walk with these. And I did! We got to France and we walked 20,000 steps a day. We went to Marseille and we walked up and down the Old Port and I took them on the train to Avignon and Cassis. Avignon is an old medieval city, where the Pope lived. And we went to Cassis which is a sailing port with a beach. I had no problem on the little trains and tour buses with my poles. It was just easy, easy and in fact one shop keeper said how fast I was going to my husband. And yes, when you practice and you have the straight arms boy you move!

So that was it, my trip to France and I have not stopped using them since then. 

And you said they gave you special attention there because you had your poles..

They did in Marseilles which is very connected to the sea. It is very open and bright. And the people are open, bright, and cheerful. They would see me with my poles, tried after walking and they would offer me a chair, and ask me if I was ok, and help me out. But in Avignon, a very tall dark city, windy paths, like in a maze…I went into a place there and they wanted to know if I was going to hit the paintings with my poles…haha ..so you get both reactions.

Gai What difference do the walking poles make for you?

The main difference is that I have arthritis and I am heavy ..at least I was.. heavier than I am now…and (without the poles) pushing off with my feet would hurt and my hips would hurt after a short time. And this did not happened with the poles. But I did have sturdy walking shoes, but once you have those, it was a breeze to walk. It was like taking 15  years off your age…it just made you walk like a younger person.

When you get walking, you just swing your arms naturally, and it is just a natural walking movement. Yes, I don’t think I would walk without them now…for a long walk. 

Because the arthritis is in my back too and I have trouble standing still and straight for a long time. With the pandemic, when I have to get my blood tested, I have to wait in line for a long time. So I would take just one pole with me and support myself while standing in line. Nobody noticed that anything was unusual and I was able to stand a long time and not get the tremors that I usually  get when standing still for a long time. 

Gail what are your simple tips for listeners 

Thank you Gail, An

For peer reviewed research on how your time spent in green space can change your mindset, balance your nervous system and your heart rate please go to verlafortier.substack.com and check out my books Take Back Your Outside Mindset: Live Longer, Stress Less, and Control Your Chronic Illness and Optimize Your Heart Rate: Balance Your Mind and Body With Green Space