THE CALL OF THE MALL

Pre-Christmas is a tough time to be a mall-walker. It might be better if I was one of those early birds for whom the malls open their doors at 5 AM. But, I'm not. Ten AM is a much more pleasant time for me to walk - crowds or not.

You can learn a lot by walking at the mall. You learn what styles are in fashion by looking at all those mannequins in the windows. You find out what toys are hot. You can see how many different phones are being marketed. And, inevitably, you'll discover that there are more shoe fashions that are incompatible with life as you know it than at any time in human history.

I am a huge fan of Carlos Santana. Wish he would stick to the guitar. Jessica Simpson should keep her mind on her Daisy Dukes. Coach should figure a way to share some of their huge asking price with those folks in the sweatshops OR lower their prices. And, Steve Madden, well, he should just get some better designers.

What about cosmetics? Want to know what's 'in'? Walk the mall. High-tech devices? Learn all about them at the mall. You'll also discover that the mall is the new park on rainy days. Every SAHM has her stroller and kids at the mall. There's even a little play area for the tots at most malls. Nothing wrong with that.

But, in those weeks before Christmas, EVERYONE and her grandma is at the mall. They make it a bit difficult for us walkers. I mean, who needs their priorities realigned? What are all those nice long halls designed for? Everyone at the mall must walk (unless in a wheelchair or scooter). Shopping is just a necessary impediment to all the walking that needs to go on there.

So, I say. Stop shopping and get walking! Actually, if you don't want to ruin your budget, leave your purse, credit card, and checkbook in the trunk and just walk. I used to be tempted to pull out my credit card (in the days before debit cards) when I'd see something enticing in those mall windows. Now, I'm just a walker and do little in the way of window shopping. I know I'll be at the mall at least once a week in the very cold and the very hot seasons, so if I need something there, I can take advantage of my walking addiction and take my debit card with me for the occasion.

So, no excuses. Get walking. If you can drive, you can get to the mall. Also, note that Home Depot even allows you to bring your dog into the store with you. And, I swear, there are seventeen miles of concrete walkways in every hardware store. Way more than at the mall. I'm just saying......


***************************Remember my 100% GUARANTEE. Should you decide to stop walking and resume your old habits, I personally guarantee that you'll get back 100% of your former life - your pain, your lifestyle, your attitude. You can trust the information you find here. It's from a dedicated walker. Trust me and your life will get better! I promise.