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.