This blog's just getting off the ground and I know that just as with walking, launching a blog starts with a single step. But I know the blog is starting to get visitors. So if you're reading my blog, I hope you'll leave a message and let me know you paid a visit.
Feel free to share your walking stories and ideas for how I can make this a more useful and informative destination for walkers!
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Walking is on our minds...
Gas crisis ripple effects on economy, vacation plans
WIth the price of gas rocketing out of control, everything, from the cost of a plane ticket to the price of food, is going up--fast--in the coming months. What can we do to protect ourselves?
One financial newspaper today suggested buying large quantities of non-perishable foods and stocking them, since the price of food will rise 4-5% per MONTH. Buy invest in food at today's prices and you'll get a better return than the best CD. As for perishable food, potatoes are tasty, cheap and plentiful.
In New York City, a friend of mine observes that there have been "fewer personal cars" on the streets in recent weeks, and we both wondered if the price of gas is driving people to take mass transit, walk, or just forego the trip.
In California, with the price of gas over $4 a gallon and rising, there are predictions that the price could double. This will have a profound impact on what we do with our vacation time this summer. Look for fewer road trips. The drive across America, a rite of passage for so many, may be dropped this summer because it's just too expensive. Instead, many vacationers will do day trips to destinations close to home. Local parks will probably be crowded this summer.
Think about family walking (or biking) excursions, where you can explore a nearby area. Pack a picnic lunch, make sure there's a public eating area on the route. When it costs $100 to fill up your tank (and it already is, for some people) we will have to use some creativity!
One financial newspaper today suggested buying large quantities of non-perishable foods and stocking them, since the price of food will rise 4-5% per MONTH. Buy invest in food at today's prices and you'll get a better return than the best CD. As for perishable food, potatoes are tasty, cheap and plentiful.
In New York City, a friend of mine observes that there have been "fewer personal cars" on the streets in recent weeks, and we both wondered if the price of gas is driving people to take mass transit, walk, or just forego the trip.
In California, with the price of gas over $4 a gallon and rising, there are predictions that the price could double. This will have a profound impact on what we do with our vacation time this summer. Look for fewer road trips. The drive across America, a rite of passage for so many, may be dropped this summer because it's just too expensive. Instead, many vacationers will do day trips to destinations close to home. Local parks will probably be crowded this summer.
Think about family walking (or biking) excursions, where you can explore a nearby area. Pack a picnic lunch, make sure there's a public eating area on the route. When it costs $100 to fill up your tank (and it already is, for some people) we will have to use some creativity!
Monday, April 28, 2008
Price of gas rose 25 cents last week...
In my neighborhood, the price of gas jumped 25 cents a gallon over the last week or so.
Our government can control prices better by putting controls on oil futures trading and by hold the oil companies accountable for the record profits they're suddenly making while the world suffers.
What can you do? Both for your health and as a form of protest...get out of your car and walk!
Our government can control prices better by putting controls on oil futures trading and by hold the oil companies accountable for the record profits they're suddenly making while the world suffers.
What can you do? Both for your health and as a form of protest...get out of your car and walk!
Friday, April 25, 2008
Walking time...thinking time
What do you think of while you walk?
My thought process is divided into distinct areas:
Brainstorming - Thinking about work, coming up with creative ideas and trying to solve problems. I often can think more clearly while walking than when sitting in front of my computer. I spend quite a bit of walk time brainstorming.
Logistics and mechanics - Which route am I taking? Am I walking the right way or do I need to adjust my stride? These thoughts usually are momentary, after which I return to other thoughts.
Spirituality - I frequently zone out while walking, and let my mind wander, and these wanderings often lead into the spiritual realm. This especially happens if I've recently read a thought-provoking book. (For instance, I recently completed Genesis and the Big Bang by Gerald Schroeder, which attempts, using the fossil record, advanced mathematics and the theory of relativity, to reconcile the Big Bang with the Creation. Plenty to think about there!)
Finding a bathroom - Being 51 years old of sound mind and body, I occasionally feel the need to relieve myself while walking. I plan my routes so that I'm no more than 10 minutes from an available facility, just in case.
What do you think about when you walk?
My thought process is divided into distinct areas:
Brainstorming - Thinking about work, coming up with creative ideas and trying to solve problems. I often can think more clearly while walking than when sitting in front of my computer. I spend quite a bit of walk time brainstorming.
Logistics and mechanics - Which route am I taking? Am I walking the right way or do I need to adjust my stride? These thoughts usually are momentary, after which I return to other thoughts.
Spirituality - I frequently zone out while walking, and let my mind wander, and these wanderings often lead into the spiritual realm. This especially happens if I've recently read a thought-provoking book. (For instance, I recently completed Genesis and the Big Bang by Gerald Schroeder, which attempts, using the fossil record, advanced mathematics and the theory of relativity, to reconcile the Big Bang with the Creation. Plenty to think about there!)
Finding a bathroom - Being 51 years old of sound mind and body, I occasionally feel the need to relieve myself while walking. I plan my routes so that I'm no more than 10 minutes from an available facility, just in case.
What do you think about when you walk?
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Walk more, sleep better
From AARP's article "Forget Counting Sheep. Walk Your Way to Better Sleep":
"Take a short stroll before and after dinner. This helps soothe your nerves while burning calories. The use of energy combined with the stress release relaxes your body and mind, helping you sleep better and longer..."
...and...
"...Walking has a long-term impact on your sleep as well as giving short-term relief. On restless nights, instead of turning on the TV, get up and pace around the house. Take in deep breaths as you move. Shake out your arms and legs. Stretch out your neck. When you climb back into bed, you'll feel more prepared for a healthy trip into dreamland."
And here's my anecdotal evidence that this is sound advice. I celebrate the Passover seder; this year, I went right to bed after the first seder ended in the wee hours of the morning, and woke up repeatedly with a headache and "GERD" (gastroinestinal esophogeal reflux disease). After the second seder, my wife and I took a 10-minute walk at a fairly brisk pace, even though it was around 2 A.M. I slept soundly, no headache, no GERD. The difference was dramatic.
Good advice, AARP!
"Take a short stroll before and after dinner. This helps soothe your nerves while burning calories. The use of energy combined with the stress release relaxes your body and mind, helping you sleep better and longer..."
...and...
"...Walking has a long-term impact on your sleep as well as giving short-term relief. On restless nights, instead of turning on the TV, get up and pace around the house. Take in deep breaths as you move. Shake out your arms and legs. Stretch out your neck. When you climb back into bed, you'll feel more prepared for a healthy trip into dreamland."
And here's my anecdotal evidence that this is sound advice. I celebrate the Passover seder; this year, I went right to bed after the first seder ended in the wee hours of the morning, and woke up repeatedly with a headache and "GERD" (gastroinestinal esophogeal reflux disease). After the second seder, my wife and I took a 10-minute walk at a fairly brisk pace, even though it was around 2 A.M. I slept soundly, no headache, no GERD. The difference was dramatic.
Good advice, AARP!
$3.50 a gallon? Holy $#%(--I'm walking!
OK, walking to replace driving completely is not realistic. But there are times when walking can replace driving. And as the price of gas continues to skyrocket, every car trip has become something that is carefully considered.
The thing to balance is time spent walking versus the health benefit and (admittedly minor) monetary savings. But even if one walking excursion a day to the local grocery store doesn't add up to much if one person did it, imagine if millions walked to the grocery store and bought two bags of groceries instead of driving. Now we're talking about saving a lot of gas.
So let's all pick a day, and walk to the grocery store! Anybody with me?
The thing to balance is time spent walking versus the health benefit and (admittedly minor) monetary savings. But even if one walking excursion a day to the local grocery store doesn't add up to much if one person did it, imagine if millions walked to the grocery store and bought two bags of groceries instead of driving. Now we're talking about saving a lot of gas.
So let's all pick a day, and walk to the grocery store! Anybody with me?
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Get a tan and work out at the same time
I don't get the concept of tanning salons.
You pay money to lie there, doing nothing, while intense, potentially toxic lights are shined on your prone body.
What fun.
I don't mind a nice, healthy tan. In fact, a nice healthy tan indicates an outdoor lifestyle, which means fresh air and greater resistance to (or acceptance of?) the elements. But just lying there indoors so you can be fried by artficial light? I simply don't see the health benefit. Yes I know--vanity and all that. But meanwhile, you're just lying there. You may end up looking marvelous, but what does this do to you on the inside?
Walking, by contrast, is a good way to get a nice healthy tan. If you walk for 45 minutes-1 hour a day, you won't win a tanning contest, but you will have a nice glow that's a combination of exposure to sunlight and the result of good blood flow.
That's what I call a good, healthy tan.
Don't forget your SPF 45!
You pay money to lie there, doing nothing, while intense, potentially toxic lights are shined on your prone body.
What fun.
I don't mind a nice, healthy tan. In fact, a nice healthy tan indicates an outdoor lifestyle, which means fresh air and greater resistance to (or acceptance of?) the elements. But just lying there indoors so you can be fried by artficial light? I simply don't see the health benefit. Yes I know--vanity and all that. But meanwhile, you're just lying there. You may end up looking marvelous, but what does this do to you on the inside?
Walking, by contrast, is a good way to get a nice healthy tan. If you walk for 45 minutes-1 hour a day, you won't win a tanning contest, but you will have a nice glow that's a combination of exposure to sunlight and the result of good blood flow.
That's what I call a good, healthy tan.
Don't forget your SPF 45!
Friday, April 18, 2008
Bring a camera!
I always bring a small camera with me when I walk, because my day job involves photography and hey, you never know. A nice compact camera such as a Canon ELPH model is ideal.
Don't stop everyehwere or you'll miss out on the benefits of uninterrupted exercize. But do keep alert for photo opportunities.
Maybe next week I'll post some of my "photowalking" shots.
Don't stop everyehwere or you'll miss out on the benefits of uninterrupted exercize. But do keep alert for photo opportunities.
Maybe next week I'll post some of my "photowalking" shots.
Walking vs. the gym
How long does it take you to get to the gym? I informally surveyed some friends and most need to drive approximately 15 minutes. Then they go to the locker room, change, do a 1-hour workout, leave, and either come home or go directly to work. So the 1-hour workout in the gym is really around 1:30 on average when you factor in drive time and other stuff. Plus, you're using gas (currently in my area around $3.50 a gallon. Gulp). Per month, assuming you go 5 times a week (OK I'm being a big generous here) you spend an extra 12.5 hours going to and from the gym.
By contrast, to walk, simply step outside and start walking. You may not get the same upper body benefits, but the cardiovascular benefits that you'd get on the treadmill are the same. If you want to run for part of your walk, go for it. Your 1-hour walk is a true 1-hour workout.
Just a little math you can do on your next walk.
By contrast, to walk, simply step outside and start walking. You may not get the same upper body benefits, but the cardiovascular benefits that you'd get on the treadmill are the same. If you want to run for part of your walk, go for it. Your 1-hour walk is a true 1-hour workout.
Just a little math you can do on your next walk.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Walking reduces health risks
According to About.com, walkers have less incidence of cancer, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Walkers live longer, and have mental health and spiritual benefits.
Walking is possibly the simplest exercise you can do, but the benefits are profound.
Details will follow.
Meanwhile, check out About.com's page filled with links to articles about the benefits of walking.
Walking is possibly the simplest exercise you can do, but the benefits are profound.
Details will follow.
Meanwhile, check out About.com's page filled with links to articles about the benefits of walking.
First entry: Temporarily Enabled
A friend of mine is a therapist and works with people in wheelchairs, visually impaired, deaf, etc, commonly referred to in politically incorrect terms as "disabled". She recently shared with me a comment one of her clients made:
"We are all temporarily enabled."
Think about it. Eventually, we will lose our abilities. If you have legs, walk. If you have arms, lift. You don't know when you will no longer be able to do this. What we do with our abilities while we are temporarily enabled is up to each of us. What will you do with yours?
As for me, I walk.
"We are all temporarily enabled."
Think about it. Eventually, we will lose our abilities. If you have legs, walk. If you have arms, lift. You don't know when you will no longer be able to do this. What we do with our abilities while we are temporarily enabled is up to each of us. What will you do with yours?
As for me, I walk.
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