I have multiple sclerosis. My name is Casey Keith, and I was born in Ventura. In 2012, I woke up blind in my left eye and paralyzed from the chest down. The diagnosis came shortly after my father, Reed, was murdered at his computer repair business (eChaps, Inc.) in Lancaster in 2012. I weighed 517 lbs then and owned three businesses in Lancaster, CA.
Using the ketogenic diet, I lost 384 lbs in 19 months. For the first 42 days, I did a water-only fast and walked 10,000 steps a day through Burbank. Walking for weight loss became a crucial part of my journey, helping me shed the pounds and improve my physical health. The benefits of walking daily are immense, from increasing cardiovascular fitness to strengthening bones, reducing excess body fat, and boosting muscle power and endurance. Walking for mental health also played a significant role in my recovery.
When COVID-19 hit, my ability to walk was hindered, leading to a decline in my health. Now, in 2024, I rely on a walker full-time and need the aid of my girlfriend, Meki.
Walking Challenges and Motivation Tips
Walking has been an integral part of my life. Initially, walking 40 minutes a day helped me immensely. However, with my health declining, walking challenges became more apparent. It is important to understand the benefits of walking daily and how much weight one can lose by maintaining a regular walking routine.
Walking in nature, whether it’s a stroll or a brisk march, provides a sense of tranquility and mental clarity. For those looking to lose weight, walking for 20 to 30 minutes or more each day can significantly aid in weight loss and improve overall health. Walking motivation tips include setting achievable goals, finding a walking buddy, and exploring new trails and terrains to keep the routine exciting.
The Journey of Ambulation
The journey of ambulation is varied. Whether wandering through urban landscapes or trekking rural paths, each step counts. Walking helps older adults with cognitive skills, making it a beneficial activity for people of all ages. Strolling along different routes, be it a footpath, road, or trail, provides different experiences and challenges.
{ “The greatest healing therapy is friendship and love.” – Hubert H. Humphrey | “Courage is not having the strength to go on; it is going on when you don’t have the strength.” – Theodore Roosevelt | “Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.” – Mahatma Gandhi | “Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react to it.” – Charles R. Swindoll | “Out of difficulties grow miracles.” – Jean de La Bruyère | “The human spirit is stronger than anything that can happen to it.” – C.C. Scott | “The only way to get through life is to laugh your way through it.” – Charlie Chaplin | “Do not judge me by my success, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.” – Nelson Mandela | “Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.” – Helen Keller | “In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity.” – Albert Einstein | “Fall seven times, stand up eight.” – Japanese Proverb | “The best way out is always through.” – Robert Frost | “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson | “Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.” – Haruki Murakami | “Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success.” – Albert Schweitzer | “You have within you right now, everything you need to deal with whatever the world can throw at you.” – Brian Tracy | “Turn your wounds into wisdom.” – Oprah Winfrey | “With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.” – Eleanor Roosevelt | “The only limit to our realization of tomorrow is our doubts of today.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt | “The strongest people are not those who show strength in front of us but those who win battles we know nothing about.” – Jonathan Harnisch }
Walking for 30 minutes a day can burn a substantial number of calories. One’s gait and stride, the pace at which one moves, and the terrain one navigates all contribute to the overall effectiveness of walking as an exercise.
The Impact of Physical Activity on Multiple Sclerosis
I have multiple sclerosis, and maintaining physical activity has been crucial in managing my symptoms. Ambulatory efforts, whether a light saunter or a vigorous march, have helped me maintain a degree of mobility and independence. Using aids like a walker or cane, I traverse short distances and engage in perambulation to keep my muscles active.
Despite the challenges, the journey continues. Walking in various forms—ambling, wandering, treading—has been my way of fighting back against the limitations imposed by multiple sclerosis. Each barefoot step, whether on urban pavements or rural trails, is a testament to resilience and the will to keep moving forward.
Embracing the Wanderlust Spirit
I find joy in each pedestrian journey. Whether a short stroll or a longer hike, moving, advancing, and navigating through different terrains offers freedom. Walking challenges may slow me down, but the motivation to explore and the benefits of walking daily keep me going.
From the days of striding confidently to the current reality of navigating with a walker, my journey with multiple sclerosis has been one of perseverance and adaptation. Each step, each stride, is a victory over the disease that tried to halt my progress.