Walk TV

Here is a new option that might interest some readers and walkers.  I have not tried this new program of Leslie Sansone's, but I'm a huge fan of her walking DVD's and even VHS tapes.  This is a new system that will remove the need for purchasing discs.  You can get the walking programs delivered directly (as in streamed) to your computer, TV, or PDA.

So, if you're interested, here's the link to get more details.  I'd love to hear from any readers that sign up for this program.  Your feedback would be valuable to the rest of us.  So, please share!



*************************** 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.

Moving - Maybe Another Idea

Some of my readers have shared with me that they suffer from Fibromyalgia, a poorly understood but painful disorder of the muscles and tendons.  Walking is very good for sufferers of this condition - and others.  In fact, there is almost no medical disorder that will not be bettered by some form of low or no impact exercise.  Walking is perfect for that.

But, there are other, shall we say complementary, activities that might help.  I am a fan of accupuncture.  It has helped alleviate pain for me on several different occasions - on occasions when traditional Western medicine had no solutions for me that did not include heavy duty pain killers (and even those didn't help all the time).  Most of us like to avoid medicine when we can, right?

I read this article that appeared in the October 4, 2012 issue of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.  The title captured my attention immediately, "New Health Movement Targets Self-Awareness".  Right up my alley, you might say.  The article featured a discussion of the Feldenkrais Method.  Have you ever heard of it?  Neither I nor my physician husband had heard of it.  So, after reading the article, I did a bit more research.  There are 1,300 practitioners in the U.S. who have been trained (about 800 hours of training over 3-4 years) in the techniques championed by its founder, Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais who died in 1984.  It is practiced as part of traditional medicine by physiotherapists in parts of Europe.  Many of the people who seek this treatment suffer from chronic pain conditions as well as neurological conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis and Cerebral Palsy.

In a nutshell - a gross oversimplification - the Movement at its core seeks to teach a person to be more aware of the way his/her body moves and in so doing learn ways to minimize pain and maximize efficiency of movement.

Fortunately for me, there is a free seminar being offered nearby.  Once I've attended that and learned more about the Movement from a certified practitioner, I'll write more about it.  I have high hopes that I can learn more ways to alleviate the pain of Fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis, both of which I suffer from.  Stay tuned!



*************************** 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.

More Science

Once again, science has confirmed my take on exercise!  I bet you had no idea that I was so smart, did you?  Well, science is finally catching up to my remarkable intellect and wealth of knowledge.

Here's the scoop.  People who participate in moderate exercise, defined as about 30 minutes a day of walking, do better overall than two other groups - those who do no exercise and those who exercise aggressively for about 60 minutes a day (at the gym).

Actually, I added 'at the gym' cuz I hate going there.

But, you see how this pans out.  Those of us who are walking about 30 minutes a day are leading the pack in health, feeling of wellness, weight loss, and maintenance of good habits.  Why?  Well, here's what they think.  We know why the group who did no exercise didn't lose weight or feel better.  That's a no-brainer.

The other group, those that worked hard at working out, did not gain as much benefit from their extra 30 minutes of working out each day as the moderate group did.  The moderate group ate no more food either before or after their workouts, were more faithful to their exercise regimen, and had some 'spill over' effect in that they felt more energetic and were more likely to add in things like taking the stairs rather than the elevator.  The 60 minute group ate more, expressed less energy and more tiredness, and had not spill over into their daily lives.

Yes.  We win again!  We start slow, build up to 20-30 minutes a day of walking (maybe more if we have the time and want to but we aren't necessarily 'aggressive' in our exercising), and continue to walk, making it part of our daily lives.  Further, we become more aware of our physical abilities so we do things like taking the stairs, stacking wood (Hi, Patty!), parking at the farthest spot from the door.  We don't need to diet because we are feeling pretty good about who we are because we are using our body to do what it was designed to do - walk!

Let me be the last person who diminishes anyone's idea of exercise - but if I have to get into a leotard or wear rosin coated gloves or look at my form in a mirror, I'm not gonna do 'it', whatever 'it' is.  Good for those who do - but it's not me.  And, those activities don't make me feel better and they leave my muscles hurting and they wind up with a frustrated me.  So, I'll just walk my way to feeling better.  Once again, the science of it, as published in the New York Times, confirms my take on exercise.  Hope you feel the same!




*************************** 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.

What Will Make It Better?

The past 48 hours, I've been horizontal far more than I've been vertical.  I guess it's a virus.  Whatever it is, it has hit me pretty hard, starting at 2:30 AM Thursday morning.  I will spare you the details, although you don't need much of an imagination to figure out how sick you get at 2:30 AM.

Anyway, I was able to stay home from work (thanks, Janice!!) and baby myself a bit.  I guess that's what I did because I've pretty much slept since 7 AM Thursday.  I've had bad dreams, missed my beloved Thursday night dance class, and ignored the dog so much she's found her tail once again to chase for her exercise!

This afternoon, I got a text from my friend Kris, wanting to know if we were walking this evening.  Her text was earlier than usual in the day, but I was pretty much out of it.  I texted back that I was sick, so no walking.  Then, I slept again.  When I awoke about a half hour later and let out the aforementioned mutt, I saw what a beautiful day it was.

Hmmmm.  Maybe I could walk.  So, I called Kris to ask if she was going to get home early - and if so, I'd try to walk a bit.  She cheerfully agreed, stating that work was giving her fits and she'd leave early anyway.  So, we agreed to meet at the park - and we did.

Now, here's what was really going on in my head.  IF I DON'T WALK TODAY, I'LL HAVE LEG CRAMPS AND BE UNABLE TO SLEEP TONIGHT.  Yep!  Not only is it all about me, but it's all about being able to get a good night's sleep.

In my life, there is almost nothing that is not improved by taking a walk.  I felt good that I lasted six laps at the park which is about two miles.  That should be enough to prevent the leg cramps, and it certainly felt good to be outside.

By the time I arrived back home, my husband had returned from an extra busy day at work.  But, he was glad I had gone for a walk.  That means I'm getting better.  See?  Walking makes everything better.  Try it!



*************************** 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.

Who's The Most Important Person In The Room?

Who's the most important person in the room?  If you say anyone other than yourself, we need to talk.

Who is ahead of you?  Your kid?  Your spouse?  Your housework?  Your TV?

If you are not the most important person in the room, you need to reorganize your priorities.  You can't take care of all the other people and all your other obligations if you don't take care of yourself.  No way!

Remember what the flight attendants tell you before the flight.  They show those yellow face masks and tell you how if the cabin is depressurized the masks will drop from above and you should put one on yourself - even before you try to put one on your kid.

Why is that?  Because while you're busy putting one on your little guy, you're losing oxygen.  When you collapse, the little guy can't put a mask on you, so he has to get by on his own, without the person he has counted on his whole life to make things right for him.

That is a great lesson.  If you don't put yourself first and take care of yourself - exercising, eating right, getting your head on straight - you won't be able to take care of those you love.  They don't need to be toddlers and dependent on you for you to want to take care of them.

Taking care of ones you love can be really important - like setting a good example, like staying healthy, like demonstrating that you are an important person and respect yourself.  The bottom line is that if we don't respect ourselves, no one else will respect us.

You know people who are doormats to the people in their home and maybe at work.  Don't be that person.  Take care of yourself - get busy and get happy.  How do you do that?  Get walking!

Be important to yourself.




*************************** 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.

Do You Believe What Other People Say About You?

There's a 12 Step saying for that - Don't Judge Your Inside By Someone Else's Outside.  That is, don't think someone is happier than you because their kids are better behaved, their house is bigger, or his/her spouse gives really nice anniversary presents.  Boy, could you be really wrong.  There are lots of almost broke folks in those big houses.  There are lots of parents whose kids appear well behaved til their parents' backs are turned.  And, there are millions of men and women whose spouse gave them a really nice gift the day before they filed for divorce.  Really!  I can name names.

Then, there are people who say mean things about other people.  Who knows why?  Sometimes, it is to make them feel better about themselves.  Not my style.  But, as a child I was called a number of names - Fatty, Blubber Butt, Four Eyes (yep, I had glasses younger than anyone else I knew), and worse.  We all know that terrible words are hurled around on school playgrounds and now on the internet.  It's called Bullying.

If we're lucky, we reach a time and place where we are not limited by the definitions of others.  We learn to love ourselves even if we aren't thin, lovely, wealthy, or perfect in any other way.  But, sometimes, it's really difficult to overcome those words that are not supposed to break our bones.  They can break our hearts instead.

If you've been called Fat or Lazy or Stupid or Ugly or Worthless or _________(enter your own negative word - then never say it again), you alone have the power to decide if that word defines you. It really does not matter what others think of you (and, oh, how I wish they'd keep their opinions to themselves!).  It's far more important what you think of yourself.  If you think the word Fat defines you, will you be able to move beyond that to become a worthy, loveable, capable, healthy person?  If you've been told and come to believe that you are Lazy, will you be able to get off the sofa and walk your way to health?

You can!  I loved the story I read in the October 4, 2012 issue of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch about Harry Ratliff who, in his 50's, decided that he would no longer be defined by the term Fatty Jelly Belly.  He was tired of being short of breath on the handball court.  He was tired of having high blood pressure and high cholesterol.  He was tired of being tired and afraid to die young like his father had.

So, he decided to get healthy.   He decided to get moving.  His preferred method of moving was jogging.  He said that the first time he ran a mile without stopping, '...it was a religious experience.'  I know that feeling!  Do you?  Do you know what it feels like to work hard to attain a goal over weeks and months and get there - even when someone else voiced an opinion that you couldn't do it?

I hope you can find a copy of this story and read it.  It's inspirational.  While Ratliff uses techniques that are different than I would (running vs. walking, for instance), his initial goal was to feel better and to become healthier.  In so doing, he lost 62 pounds.  That's my story too.  When you really push for a goal to become healthier and feel better, the weight comes off in the process.  While most people might not have 62 pounds to lose (I did!), weight loss does accompany a healthy regimen of physical movement.

This blog isn't about bullying or weight loss.  It isn't about negativity or feeling sorry for one's self.   It is about taking steps to make one feel better.  There's no way around it.  If you take someone else's estimation of you and that's a negative estimation, you'll lose out.  If you choose your own nouns and adjectives for yourself, you'll move in a positive direction.

I am healthy.  I am worthy.  I am happy.  I am always looking for ways to be happier and healthier.  What about you?

Note: Here's a link to the story.  Don't know how long it will be available.


*************************** 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.

Walking Peeves

Here is my pet peeve about walking:
Bikers do not share the road/path/trail nicely!

I walk on paved trails all around the St. Louis area.  I have just about given up on those trails I must share with bicycles.  Behind me, I can hear skateboarders and skaters, and usually other walker, come up on me from behind.  I can't hear most bikers because they are silent.  They zip in and out of their proper lane, passing up walkers, strollers, skaters, and anyone else in their way.  They assume, it seems, that they own the right of way.

I am very careful to keep my dog to my left (the proper way to walk a dog.  If you don't believe me, just call a dog training facility and ask.) and close to me, on my side of the two way path.  If I pass a walker, I pass on the left carefully and quickly.  I am careful to follow the rules of the road, as it were.  I am careful with my dog who does not do her 'business' in public.  She's a very private lady who prefers the relative privacy of her own back yard, thank you.

Today, while walking on Grant's Trail, we were passed by numerous (probably 30 or more) people on bicycles.  Exactly TWO, in keeping with the posted rules, announced themselves.  In case you don't know, the proper way to announce is for the biker (or other person) to say, 'On your left (or whatever direction)' as they approach you from behind.  I don't have eyes in the back of my head.  I don't have earbuds in and I have normal hearing, but I am not usually aware of these bikers until they have frightened my dog and me - and my dog is large enough to knock me down if she is frightened.

This behavior by bicyclists, people who are often heard griping about how they are abused by the drivers of automobiles on streets, is just unacceptable.  It's not only a matter of good manners, it's also a matter of safety.  If a biker zips between cars on the road, whose fault is it if the bike gets creamed?  If the biker doesn't stop at red lights, stay in his/her own lane, obey the speed limit, why does the biker wonder that the bike and its rider aren't respected on the road.

I will add that I sometimes ask, as a rude biker is passing me, that they warn me the next time round.  Most just ignore me.  One guy at Creve Coeur Lake actually got off his bike not once or twice, but three times to tell me the error of my ways.  It was really difficult to remain polite to him - but it became clear that he wasn't playing with a full deck when he told me that I needed to get Jesus in my life to be less angry!  Really?!  Not sure how appropriate that suggestion is - but he was certainly not a good endorsement on Jesus' behalf.

Enough!  I am very polite to bikers on the road.  I give them a lot of room, obey the rules of the road, and look out for them.  I demand that they respect walkers who share the path with them!  If I am forced to wear a sign on my back to that effect, I will. 

If you are a biker or know one, please pass along my request that s/he be polite to those who aren't moving along the trail/path/road as the bikes are.  It's our path too!



*************************** 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.

My Nieces

Even though we don't live very far from each other, I seldom see my two nieces - each of my brothers has one daughter.  They are both beautiful young women who have struggled with their weight - and are winning that battle!  One niece has lost over 65 lbs and looks fantastic.  She has a great husband and a young son who she is attempting to lead down the path to healthy eating and exercise.  Dad, a great guy but one who has never had a weight issue, has terrible eating habits!!  He thinks Dorito's are a major food group and that potatoes are the only vegetable worth eating.  Nothing green will ever appear on his plate!  What's a mom to do?

My other niece is only three months younger than my daughter - but quite a bit taller than my vertically challenged daughter.   I have never thought of her as being over weight, but apparently when I wasn't looking, she had gained some weight.  She has taken off about half what she wants to lose.

The above information came to me at a recent family gathering, and only in passing.  My older niece has been 'working' on this issue for some months, so I've been more aware of her issues.  I know that she has included walking, biking, and Jazzercize into her weekly routine.  Don't know what my other niece is doing for exercise, but I recommended that they both check out my blog for information and some inspiration.  I hope we will hear from them here.  As I said, they are both lovely young women - but they happen to belong to a family that has long standing weight issues.

As my husband often tells his patients, 'You have to pick your parents carefully.'  As with hair color and height, there are other things we inherit from our parents.  We also inherit genes that may determine our reaction to food intake, our predilection for the pattern of fat we put on, our resistance to insulin or sensitivity to salt - and many more things which can effect our ability to maintain a healthy weight.  Some people can closely monitor caloric intake, exercise aggressively, and even take medication - all to manage lipids which may remain outside the range of normal.  Some people require up to three medications to regulate their blood pressure despite a healthy lifestyle.  They just didn't pick their parents carefully enough.  Despite their best efforts, the genes will out.

Still, weight is not the key issue here.  I walk to feel good!  If it happens to help me maintain a better body weight, good for me.  But, that's not my main goal.  I want to feel good, to be able to move my body freely, to stave off the adverse effects of osteoarthritis, and to overcome my asthma problems.  Walking - and walking is most of what I do as you know - is the one activity that gives me these benefits. 


*************************** 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.