Almost every day since her retirement about nine years ago, Georgia Tenney can be found walking every morning. Her morning walks typically take her along the paths in either Pierceton or Winona Lake. She tries to walk four miles every day. Photo by Nicholette Carlson.

By Nicholette Carlson
InkFreeNews

PIERCETON — Every morning Georgia Tenney likes to start her day with a walk. Having lived in Pierceton for 53 years, she knows her usual route.

She walks the paths and sidewalks between three and four miles and it takes her about an hour. When she wants a change in scenery, she comes to Winona Lake to walk the trails and paths.

The goal is to walk seven days a week, four miles a day. However, sometimes weather or life gets in the way. Tenney at least walks her usual three-to-four miles five days a week, though.

She enjoys walking in the mornings because it gets her day started and gets the blood flowing

By the time she gets home, she’s ready for her cup of coffee and to start her day.

She also enjoys watching the morning sunrises and nature as the seasons change. Tenney loves the fall and looking at the trees as the leaves change. “That hour is for me,” she explained. It’s her “me time.”

Her father was a walker, which she believes is how she got started. Even as she was older, when she would go home to visit, they’d go on walks and talk.

Tenney’s parents were active and lived long lives, so getting exercise and staying active has always been important to her.

Having lived in the community so long and walking so frequently, Tenney mentioned on Sundays sometimes her walks can take two hours as she stops and talks with friends and neighbors.

Prior to retirement around nine years ago, she worked as a Whitko school secretary for more than 30 years. In that time she was walking constantly. Once she retired, continuing to walk regularly became a high priority for her.

While it’s always been a priority as a way to stay fit, it has simply been at different times and various amounts throughout her life.

She prefers walking because it does not wear out her knees like running would. Tenney loves being able to walk outside, even in the winter when she just bundles up a bit more.

However, in the colder months, she will also visit the Kosciusko County YMCA and participate in its Monday Enhance Fitness class. She also enjoys walking the track at the YMCA when she can’t walk outdoors.

For a couple of months each year Tenney and her husband typically visit Florida. There she has plenty of opportunity to walk outside along paths in the warmer weather.

Tenney also worked as a receptionist at Weight Watchers for 11 years and continues to follow the program to keep control over her weight. She enjoys the program because it’s an easy way for her to stay healthy and cook for everyone while still enjoying food.

“Find something to do every day. Stay busy,” Tenney suggested. “It’s important to take care of yourself.”

She has 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, most of whom live in the area. She also enjoys going to watch them play sports.

“Get out and do something and stay active to stay healthy,” she emphasized. During her retirement now she commented she is enjoying everything she does.