LOSING THE ANGER

Have you ever been so angry you just wanted to get out of the house (or office)? I have. When I had three teens (of my own plus extras who lived with us for various lengths of time), I would often become frustrated with their irresponsible and immature behavior. One child of mine was especially good at pressing my hot buttons. Fueling the fire by fighting back is never a good thing. But, it takes time and perspective to learn how to cope with the anger and frustration.

Once I had become a dedicated walker, I learned that if I just tied on my shoes and headed out of the house, I was able to leave all the anger and frustration back at home. By the time I returned home 15 to 60 minutes later, the situation had magically changed and the anger and frustration had dissipated. All gone.

Now, this doesn't solve problems in and of itself, but it does help maintain sanity and preserve the family without further damaging what may be fragile relationships.

This same strategy will work on the job too. Kind of like the old words 'Count to Ten' or 'Take a couple of deep breaths'. It really is effective.

Walking is a great stress reducer. Something happens in our brains when we walk for 15 or more minutes. There are actually chemical changes which can be measured. I'm not so concerned with the science of it. I just know it works! And, I'm all for anything that works, harms no one, and benefits everyone involved. And, it's way cheaper than therapy.

So, my new mantra is 'When the going gets tough, the tough go walking'. Try it! You certainly have nothing to lose and maybe a lot to gain with peace of mind and improved family relationships. I did.



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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.

SPRING SPRINGS FORTH

I love Spring. It's my favorite time of year. I'm not a fan of cold weather and detest those gloomy, dank days of Fall and Winter. Summer and Spring are the times of year when I feel most alive. Fall is pretty, but my asthma always raises its ugly head then, so I don't look forward to it.

This week, we have had Spring in St. Louis. Many trees, the colorful ornamentals we have so many of around town, are starting to bud. The first green spears of tulips and other perennials arise from the messy flower beds. Hens and chicks, those cute green succulents, begin their spread. The grass (or maybe it's just the weeds) in the lawn greens up nicely, having shed its winter coat of dried leaves.

This time of year is pure walking inspiration for me. I've walked outside every day - sometimes twice a day - despite the sprinkles and wind. The freshness of the breezes give me hope that despite the political and economical gloom and doom we can't avoid hearing and reading about will be swept away like those dried leaves.

My dog, Lizzie, is re-learning how to walk on her leash. She is walked year round, but she was naughty two years ago, pulled me down and broke my wrist, so I have been loathe to walk her. Now that she's past the puppy stage and calming down, I'm getting ready, with my husband's help, to give her a second chance at her favorite thing in life - walking with me!

She's a great walking companion except when there's another dog nearby. Then, she forgets her manners and jerks forward. If I'm not alert, she'll have me face down on the concrete or blacktop. If that happens again, she'll be forever consigned to the walking schedule of her 'dad' which is not nearly as regular as my regime.

Despite the friskiness and lack of manners of my own dog, I highly recommend having a dog as your walking companion. Lizzie is ALWAYS ready to walk. She doesn't care what time of day it is, what the weather is like, or what's on TV. She's like the Energizer Bunny - always ready!


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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.

GO FLY A KITE!

One day last week, one of the first days that really felt like Spring, I walked with Kathy G. at the park near our homes. There was a middle-aged woman flying a kite. I love kites. Kathy admitted to not being 'very good' at getting or keeping a kite airborne.

I decided to go fly a kite. Had to buy one first. On a weekend trip out of town, I got a great deal at Dollar Tree - two kites for $1. I don't care what design is on the kite, so I'm easy to please. These are two thin plastic 'fabric' with wooden dowels and 120 feet of nylon 'string'. I think that flying a kite would count for about as much time as walking, especially if I walk up to the park from my house.

So, Kathy, I've got a kite for me and one for you - and we're gonna go fly kites one day next week. I'm hereby challenging you to a kite flight - not a duel. We'll help each other get our kites airborne and walk around the park showing off. What do you say??



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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.

WHO WOULD YOU WALK WITH ?

If you could walk with ANYONE you wanted, living or dead, who would it be? I was thinking about this the other day when I was wishing that my beloved Jasmine, my cockerpoo who began my walking journey with me about 10 years ago, could be with me to walk on a sunny day. She SO loved her walks!

George Clooney has been in St. Louis recently, making a movie. I'd be happy to walk with George Clooney. Not only is he a hunk, but I bet we could have some good talks about his travels to Africa. Other candidates for my 'ultimate' walking partner would be other hunks like Sean Connery or Gregory Peck. But movie stars seem too obvious. Of course, Barak Obama would be fun to walk with. I'd have trouble keeping up with his long legs! Michelle Obama would be grand to walk with, too.

My Dad (who died in 1995) would be a bad choice because he HATED such activities. He's in Heaven sitting in a comfy recliner with a remote, flipping thru every sports channel, with a bowl of cheezits and chocolate chips. Yep - ate those together every night and never gained an ounce. Life ain't fair! My father in law, OTOH, would be a great choice because he was a great observer of nature. Same for my Mamaw. She could identify every flower, tree, and bird we would see on our walk.

I think I would enjoy walking with Barbara Kingsolver, Bill W. , Bill Cosby, and Harper Lee. We'd have lots to talk about. Lesser known, but outstanding walking partners would be John Taylor Gatto (my teaching hero), Maria Montessori, Marie Curie, or Queen Elizabeth.

I'm sure there are others I could dream up. I have a wide-ranging list of interests and never enough time to explore them all. Even Martha Stewart might be fun to walk with - but I wouldn't let her in my house. She'd likely have the vapors if she saw the state of my 'home decor' - as in, we don't have any!!

So, who's on your list of Most Wanted Walking Partners? Don't be shy.


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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.

FINDING YOUR WAY

So, how do you know where to walk? Get out and chart your neighborhood. Get a mental picture of the best routes for walking. Is there a park nearby which you can head to or at least include in your journey? Is there a house with an especially nice yard that you enjoy walking by? Is there a house you want to avoid?

Are you looking to walk on a level route or include some uphill walking in your regime? Level is best for beginners. But, try to add some ups and downs as you gain endurance.

Do you want to avoid busy intersections? When I have my car serviced, I can walk home from the shop but the route requires my crossing a 6 lane state route that looks pretty much like an interstate highway with stop lights. I'm familiar with the signal sequence, so I know when I have time to get all the way across. However, I avoid this route in rush hour. It's just not a walker-friendly route.

If you have school age kids and their school is within walking distance, you have an instant walking route. Plus, you'll have time for quality conversation with your child(ren) and encourage them to walk more too. Remember how most of us over the age of 30 walked to and from school every day? No one came to harm and it was a great time to de-stress from the school day.

So, think of a destination - the library, the grocery store, the school, the park - and walk to and from it if you can. Maybe you'll only do this on fair weather days. That's okay. You're in charge of your walks so walk when and where it suits you. But, do walk. Try to make it meaningful, enjoyable, worth your time. Before long, you'll wonder why you ever drove to these neighborhood destinations.



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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.

WE'RE GOING NATIONAL!!

Did you know that April 8 is National Start! Walking Day? I didn't. This 'holiday' was initiated by the National Heart Association and is aimed at getting those 'at work' to take time out of their work day to go for a walk. I am reading about it in the April, 2009 issue of Better Homes and Gardens which I just received at work today. The article is on page 212 if you want to check it out yourself. Or, you can visit their website for more info:
BHG.com/startwalking

The article suggests that you invite co-workers to bring their walking shoes to work with them that day (and other days too) and gather a group to walk for 30 minutes over lunch. What a great idea! A better idea, IMO, is to have everyone and anyone who is interested bring a pair of walking shoes to work AND LEAVE THEM AT WORK so they can walk any day they want or are able.

In my office, we don't have a designated lunch period AND we seldom get to take time off together. Further, we walk a lot in the office and back and forth to the hospital which adjoins our office building. I try to take the stairs as much as possible. I figure that is a 'free' way to get in a bit more exercise. My office is on the fifth floor, so it's 4 flights up from the main floor on three. Up and down there several times a day keeps me feeling better.

Of course, I can't usually take a patient up and down the stairs!
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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.

DID ST PATRICK GET YOU?

Okay, I'm not a drinker. Don't much like being around drinkers. Don't like bars and HATE the smell of beer. Despite living in the center of the Beer Universe - Anheuser Busch-InBev - I won't touch the stuff. Don't throw rotten apples at me. I don't care if YOU drink.

But, I bet if you drink, St. Patrick got the better of you. I BET you didn't walk on the 17th and won't on the 18th because you'll be nursing your hangover or whatever. I guess the name of this blog might apply to you. You could just 'Walk It Off'!

On second thought, most of the readers of this blog are such sensible people that, weather and time allowing, you'll keep up your walking. I hope so.

So, support the Economic Stimulus Plan by buying new walking shoes rather than going to the neighborhood bar. And, for Pete's (or Pat's) sake, don't drink any green beer!




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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.

CHAIN OF ROCKS MAKES ME DREAM OF SPRING!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chain_of_Rocks_Bridge

Above is a good picture of the Chain of Rocks Bridge in the St. Louis area taken from the Illinois side of the Mississippi River.

In the St. Louis area, we have the Katy Trail and Trailnet which preserve and maintain trails in the area. The Katy is not continuous but it's all around us here. One part of it is the old Chain of Rocks Bridge which formerly carried cars across the wide Mississippi just North of downtown St. Louis. The bridge is an architectural because of its beauty and that bend the architects put in it.

On a summer day, it's so great to walk or bike across it and feel the river breeze ruffle your hair. Even on the hottest, most humid days, this is a refreshing walk. The bonus here are two tiny castles in the middle of the river. They really look like castles! They are actually some sort of water measurement buildings that are now obsolete. The bridge gets its name from the rocks in the river that were placed there to mark the channel.

Crossing the bridge allows you to walk from Missouri to Illinois - and back. There are parking lots on both sides of the river but the bridge is not open every day. Because of the history of vandalism to vehicles in the area, Trailnet supplies volunteers who monitor the parking lot and environs, so the bridge is only open when volunteers are available. The bridge was made useable again some years ago by donations from various individuals and organizations, each getting a metal placque on the bridge. It's fun to read the names as you walk. There are also several rest stops along the way, picnic tables and chairs to eat lunch and enjoy the breeze and scenery during your trek.

Access to the bridge remains free thanks to the efforts of the volunteers of Trailnet. Other parts of the Katy trail are nearby. I'll write more about them soon.


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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.

WHAT'S YOUR PLEASURE?

What do you like to do for fun or relaxation? Is it something you can combine with walking to improve your general well being?

If you like to read, consider getting an MP3 player of some sort (many are very inexpensive now) and listen to a book while you walk. Some libraries now offer free MP3 book downloads and the nifty new Walkaway I blogged about recently.

If you like music, it's easy to get a small radio or MP3 player to listen to your favorite bands or singers. Keep the beat up tempo so that it'll make you move your body faster.

If you enjoy TV - walk in front of your television. Join a club and watch TV while you walk on the treadmill or simply walk in place in front of your own TV during one of your favorite programs. You'll be surprised how quickly you'll work up to walking 30 or more minutes if you're watching an engrossing show. Better yet if you can TiVo or tape it and fast forward thru commercials so that your interest is maintained the entire time. No potty or snack breaks.

I'm a crocheter. I must admit that I cannot crochet AND walk - but many can. I ran an informal poll on my online crochet discussion list of 4,000 members. Quite a few volunteered that they can both walk and crochet. I'm impressed. I can barely walk and chew gum at the same time! But, if you like to crochet or knit and can walk while doing that, then go for it! In my old neighborhood, there was a young woman who walked - fast! - while reading a paperback book every day - wearing high heeled boots. Not only was I impressed with her speed, I was impressed that she didn't fall and break her face! She must have loved that book!

Like sports? Listen to a game or watch one on those teensy hand-carried TV's. Same for game shows. Wheel of Fortune whizzes by when we watch it most evenings. That would be a painless 30 minute walk for me. Same for Jeopardy, another favorite of mine. What about video games? Solitaire on the computer is a real time-killer. Get a hand-held solitaire game and play to your heart's content while you walk the track.

Birdwatchers, moms and dads with strollers, dog owners, and outdoorsy types have no excuse for not walking. Just tie on your shoes and do your favorite thing. My dog NEVER complains about going for a walk! Neither did my kids when they were stroller age.

So, no excuses. Find something to make your walk a time you look forward to. Remember, having a walking buddy is always a plus. If you don't have one in person, get your cell phone, call up your buddy, and walk and talk. You'll enjoy your walk and maintain your friendship effortlessly. Scheduling your walk time is just as important as scheduling your bill-paying, your teeth cleaning, and your oil changes. General maintenance that keeps things working well.



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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.

Wanna Use Walking Poles?

A friend of my son's, knowing I'm an avid walker, sent me two walking poles that he had designed several years ago. I thought it'd be a splendid idea to increase my upper body workout during my regular walks if I used the poles Alan sent me.

Right..... Wow! What a workout. I wasn't quite ready for those. Using walking poles looks so easy. Just pick up your arms and off you go. Yeah, right... Not quite as easy as it looks.

Don't get me wrong. It's a wonderful idea and more than doubles the benefits of a 15-20 minute mile. But for a middle aged woman like me who had not done any upper body work in years, it was more than I could handle. This exercise is sometimes called 'Nordic Walking'.

For more information on the poles and how to use them, the benefits derived, and where to obtain them check out a site like this:

http://walkingpoles.com/content/view/26/38/

I have not purchased anything from this website so cannot vouch for them.

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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.

COLD AND SUNNY - BRR!

If you've ever spent any time in the St. Louis area, you'll know why we state, as do some other locations, 'if you don't like the weather, just stick around a few hours and it'll change'. So true!

I actually got home early from work today and it's was so sunny out that I decided to walk up to the park and get in a couple miles. I changed clothes quickly and layered up. Three tops and lined nylon pants. Hit the street, headed uphill to the park.

Brr! I made it to the park but then chickened out and returned home (downhill all the way). The park is at the top of a hill and it's ALWAYS windy up there. In the doldrums of August, you can usually count on a bit of a breeze. It was just too much for me today. I wasn't well prepared.

Should have had gloves, a scarf, and a heavier coat if I was gonna get in my two to three miles.

Bah! That's not like me. Got home, threw in a load of laundry, and got to sorting out papers for the tax man. Better luck tomorrow!

Did you walk today??

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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.

ENTHUSIASM

In the U.S., we are rapidly approaching my favorite season - Spring. Spring in St. Louis is often rainy and temperatures can range from freezing to 85 F in a single day. No matter. I LOVE Spring!

It's so easy for me to be enthusiastic about walking in Spring. It's not too hot to walk. It's no longer cold, windy, or icy. The sun is frequently shining, even late in the afternoon as the days lengthen after the oppressive short days of Winter.

Even after a full day of work, I'm eager to put on my walking shoes and hit the track or sidewalks in Spring. Each Spring, I renew my heat tolerance as the weather becomes increasingly hot and humid. By the first of June when full Summer is upon us, I have once again developed good heat tolerance so that I can walk 3 miles outside in the sun and humidity.

Mind you, I'm dripping wet when my walk is done - but that's fine. A quick, refreshing shower has me back on track for the rest of my activities. A key for me is keeping a low maintenance hair style so I don't have to fuss. I can cool off and be back in a presentable state within 15-20 minutes of finishing my walk.

In Spring, I'm far more likely to take two walks a day. That's really a bonus if you're trying to lose a few pounds. Two 30 minute walks each day will have you losing weight pretty rapidly. That's not the main reason to walk, but it's a nice bonus if you have a goal of weight loss.

But two walks a day also improves one's state of mind, increases general feelings of well being, strengthens muscle and bone, improves lung function, and gives a 'walker's high' - that natural high that only comes from either dope or exercise. I chose exercise!


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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.

ME AND THE MAYO

The Mayo Clinic that is. The Mayo Clinic agrees with me that walking is 'natural'. All natural, in fact.

In case my previous attempts have not convinced you of the merits of walking, how it'll make you feel better and get you healthier, you can read it from the 'experts' at the Mayo in this article:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/walking/HQ01612

Who knew I was in such impressive company?

You can be too. Just get moving. It's so easy.

If you're still on the fence, need motivation, or want to know how to get started, please go back and read some of my earlier blog articles. I've written extensively on how to get from 'here' to 'there' - how to get started, why you should get started, and how to measure your success.

We all have to start somewhere. Some of us will start from our recliners, having spent years being fatigued with a remote and a bowl of popcorn in our laps. Others will start after having had a health problem that requires aerobic exercise. Like me, others may start when they have had to give up some other form(s) of exercise or activity - my racquetball was a hard thing to quit. Read more about that in an earlier article.

No matter how you start, the FIRST STEP may well be the hardest. If you've been sedentary, you have to allow yourself time to build endurance and learn to enjoy this activity. I'm here to help you do that. It's my MISSION. Email me for personal help if you'd like. I'd be happy to give you daily encouragement.

You've got nothing to lose and much to gain by walking a few minutes or miles each day. This blog will show you how.


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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.

HOW'RE YOU DOING?

For those beginners out there - for those who have emailed me that this blog has motivated them to get walking - HOW ARE YOU DOING?

Did you start from zero minutes of walking - from the recliner or sofa, from the hospital bed or office desk? Did you start from a moderately sedentary lifestyle where you had difficulty walking for 15 minutes at a time. Did you decide to start walking despite the fact that you're on your feet all day at work?

Are you charting your progress? Are you increasing your walking time and/or distance?

If you began walking a couple weeks or months ago and kept at it - then you're a winner at this game! No matter where you start, if you have increased even one step, one minute, one bit of intensity or speed, then you're made great progress and you can be an inspiration to others.

I'd love to know where you started and where you are now. False starts, stutters, are not unusual. In fact, I believe they are common. The winners are those who put one foot in front of the other one tiny bit more today than they did yesterday. Tiny steps add up. Baby steps become confident strides.

There are no losers among walkers! No kidding. I'm not just buttering you up. THIS IS REAL. I know whereof I write. I felt up against a wall when I began walking. I couldn't do what I wanted to - racquetball - anymore. My knees were shot. My weight was far too high. My endurance was limited. My heat tolerance was negligible.

After a few weeks of dogged persistence - with the help of an actual dog - I began to feel the tiniest positive benefits of walking. I was going thru a rough emotional time and I discovered that walking made me feel better. IT MADE ME FEEL BETTER. It didn't always make my body feel better, but it definitely made my head and heart feel better.

I've written before and I will again that if I can do this, you can do it. I DID NOT WANT TO WALK. I wanted a quick fix. I wanted the 'high' of playing racquetball. But, I looked around and saw that others in my life enjoyed walking so I decided to give it a try.

Thru the bleak, bleary winter days of that year, I walked in all kinds of weather with my dog at my side. She was getting old and sick, but she loved going with me. We both got better. When I saw how eager she was to walk, how much she enjoyed her walk, how she depended on me to give her that enjoyment, it just made it all worth while for me.

Soon I began walking with a friend. I'm sure she had to slow her pace for my beginner pace, but she's a true friend and never complained. We walked and talked and solved many of the world's problems. It wasn't long, REALLY, before I began to look forward to my walks with Sally or my mom. Walk and Talk buddies was born. It has grown - in and around me - for these 10 years.

Weigh was lost and a positive lifestyle was found. Don't give up if it's not easy at the beginning. Give it 6 weeks. Give it 10 minutes a day at the beginning. Give it a chance. Give yourself a chance to make your life better. It's simple but not necessarily easy. But, don't give up before you begin to feel the wonderful benefits that I promise. And, remember my guarantee that is at the end of every article.


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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.

WALK OF FAME

In St. Louis, we have an exciting night life area called The Loop. This urban oasis is very near the area where I grew up. I used to ride my bike the couple miles to The Loop to the movie theaters there. In Junior High (what we called Middle School back in the Dark Ages), I rode there 6 times to see West Side Story!

Thanks to the ambition and vision of a single individual, Joe Edwards, The Loop has been revitalized from a crumbling, aging 'Dead Zone' to the exciting people-magnet that it now is. There are plenty of ethnic restaurants, great bars, two concert venues, retro shops, and other shops that tend to attract a very eclectic crowd, especially on weekends. Its location near Washington University in St. Louis adds to the appeal of The Loop. Students from all over the world show up in throngs every night to enjoy a taste of food from home, to visit, and people-watch.

One of the things Joe Edwards brought to this area was the St. Louis Walk of Fame. We have our very own version of Hollywood's Stars in the sidewalk. If a person of note is associated with St. Louis, he or she may well have - or will one day receive - a star on the Walk of Fame.

This is a great place for a pleasant stroll on a sunny afternoon. Grab a buddy and your fanny pack, tie on your walking shoes, and head for The Loop. There is plenty of parking nearby and a Metro stop within walking distance. The Loop itself occupies about a half mile of territory in the St. Louis suburb of University City about 8 miles west of the St. Louis Arch.

Walking up and down this stretch of Delmar Blvd will take you within smelling distance of restaurants emitting the delicious scents of Ethiopia, Japan, China, Russia, and Thailand. If you have a taste for burgers or pizza, Blueberry Hill with its famous Duck Room and Cicero's will satisfy your taste buds. If it's brew you want on a hot afternoon, Brandt's and Fitz's offer a wide variety of soft drinks, beers, and wines with sandwiches and cheeses to accompany it.

Vintage Vinyl offers a vast array of actual 33 RPM records from all periods of music plus posters and tee shirts. There are vintage clothing shops and several shops devoted to skaters and musicians. But, don't forget to look down and read the stars on the Walk of Fame. You'll learn a bit of local history while getting in your walk.

Before your walk, you might want to research the luminaries who have stars here. If so, go to
http://www.stlouiswalkoffame.org/inductees/
to see who makes the cut.


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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.

MINI ME PERSONAL TRAINER

I'm not endorsing this, but I just read about it in Time Magazine and wanted to share. Electronic Personal Trainers (EPT - no, not the home pregnancy test - puhleez). Remember when I wrote about the Playaway and other ways to pump up your regime? Well, this might be a good addition to the game for the walking techy out there. )f course, a techy probably already knows about it...

Here's a link to an article explaining more about how it works.

http://www.acrocat.com/PDAbs/

Apparently the Wii also has this component availabe for purchase.

This device is not designed just for walkers. It's more for the exercise gym type work out. But, I believe it might have value for some of us in that we can input our goals, speeds, variations - like walking fast for 2 minutes then slowing down with the timing for that, warm up and cool downs. It'll whisper that stuff into our ears or display it on a tiny screen.

What will they think of next? Personally, I prefer to keep things as low-tech as possible. But, there are those among us who would enjoy using such a device and many more who would likely benefit from it.



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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.

WIN A DVD - ENTER IN MARCH, 2009

Wanna learn to knit or crochet? I'm giving away a new DVD 'The Art of Knitting and Crochet' in a contest on my other blog in honor of National Crafts Month. For details, go to
http://crochet.craftgossip.com

When I'm not walking, eating, working, or sleeping, I'm usually crocheting! Can't walk and crochet at the same time, but plenty can. Learn how with this nifty DVD - a $19.99 value.




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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.

CAN YOU SAY HELLO??

Until 2004, I lived in a very upscale community where every house had its own acre and we were one of the few families in the area who had kids. That's where I began my walking in earnest. It was winter so I met few other walkers. Me and my dog were happy on our own.

Spring came. Others began walking on the streets (we had no sidewalks) and gardening. Well, actually most of the gardening was done by hired help. Most of my neighbors were retired folks. I greet everyone I encounter when walking. NO ONE GREETED ME BACK except those nice Mexicans who were doing the gardening. Every one of them greeted me, turned off their mowers or whatever while I walked by, and smiled as tho' they were happy to see me. Not so for the residents of the neighborhood.

I tried to think of reasons for this. I figured they might all be hard of hearing - the old folks - so I began to add a wave with my hello. Simple sign language. Universal. Still no response.

First I was angry. Then resigned. I had grown up in an upscale neighborhood which wasn't terribly friendly, but I knew everyone since I was a kid and usually annoying them. I also spent my summers in rural Northwestern Arkansas where you waved to EVERYONE you encountered while driving - whether you'd ever seen them before or not - and stopped to chat with those you encountered while walking. Since we kids walked everywhere in those days, we did a lot of chatting.

I determined that I was not going to let these sourpusses ruin my day. I would continue to greet them, smile, and wave. If they decided that no response was required, well, that was their problem.

Now, I live (by choice) in a more solidly middle class neighborhood. No acre lots. No gardeners. Well, we and a few others have people who mow our lawns, but that's about it. And, guess what, MOST people acknowledge my existence when they see me! I've made a few friends at the track near my home. In fact, my mom, who used to live in the house I now occupy, made three very close friends while walking at that track. Even after she was forced to move to an apartment because of her failing vision, these friends still visit her. They're my friends, too, but I've made some of my own. I love to linger by the playground to watch the toddlers on the merry go round. I enjoy watching the school age kids practice on the field inside the track - soccer, baseball, and even cricket.

Very few people I've encountered around here have failed to return my greeting. Some even beat me to the punch! I'm happy about that. Being friendly never hurt anyone!!!



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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.

GREAT RIVER ROAD

http://www.greatriverroad-illinois.org/

The Great River Road is a destination for walkers, bikers, and 'Sunday Drivers' in the St. Louis area. While the Road is entirely within Illinois, it's just across the Missouri River from St. Louis County, giving easy access to Missourians. There is the fairly new, stunning Clark Bridge which was constructed after the 1993 floods which devastated this area. The crossing from Missouri to Illinois is just above the Confluence of three rivers - Mississippi, Missouri, and Illinois. The area pictured above is on the Missouri River but is locally referred to as Alton Lake. It's a popular boating area, just north of the Lock and Dam at Alton, Illinios. Also located near the Lock and Dam is a casino (Boat in a Moat) and a huge grain elevator that loads the numerous barges that transport Illinois corn and wheat up and down the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. There's also a wonderful ferry, the Golden Eagle, which offers a scenic way to cross the Missouri north of the Lock and Dam.

Sadly, in this picture, you can't see the paved trail which is to the left under the tree overhang. It's a popular and busy site on Spring, Summer, and Fall weekends.

From the river town of Alton, Illinois - an old, river town with hilly, cobbled streets and great antique shops and restaurants (and that Casino) - the Great River Road runs parallel to the Missouri River north to the town of Grafton, Illinois. Paralleling the Road is a wide, paved path for walkers and bikers. Bike rentals are available at both 'ends' of the Road. It's quite a trek, but lovely and scenic any time of year. This area of the river actually freezes over in Winter, holding the barges at the Lock and Dam til the Spring thaw renews river traffic.

Grafton is a rustic gem itself. It's major purpose for existing is for the bikers and walkers who make the trip along the river in all kinds of weather. This lovely little town hosts antique stores, craft shops, restaurants, and bait shops. The cliffs above the river are dotted with elegant mansions having great vistas of the river and the small, lush islands in the area.

North of Grafton is Raging Rivers, a water park, and Pere Marquette State Park. The Park hosts a great lodge with a huge roaring fireplace, renovated hotel rooms and cabins, an indoor pool and sauna, a family style restaurant with a reknowned Sunday brunch, and a life-size chess board. The lodge is a destination for many families on Sundays year round.

Past the river bluffs are great apple orchards where you can pick your own baskets of ripe apples, buy some from roadside stands, or pick up homemade pies and jams. The area also contains some of the most beautiful wooded scenery anywhere.

If you take this trek, look for the mythical Piasa Bird (pronounced Pie -a - saw) on a cliff facing the river. Stop to read the legend of the Piasa Bird and to see the high water marks from the 1993 floods. The Confluence area which is normally about 1 mile across grew to 7 miles across during the vast flooding of 1993. You'll still see an occasional hint of the flood - a toy stuck in the top of a huge tree or a gutted building. Most evidence of the flooding is now gone, but those of us who lived here remember it quite well.

To understand how much water there was and how vast the flooding was, drive to the base of the St. Louis arch and look up to the top. The Arch is on the banks of the Mississippi. During the flooding of 1993 when the flood gates at the Arch were closed, one could watch barges floating down the river at the same height as the Arch - about 43 feet above street level and only 1 foot below the top of the flood gate! Cool but scary!!

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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.