Step Into a New Years Resolution

Now is the time of year when many of us take stock of our lives
and think about making some changes.
Now is the time of year when many of us take stock of our lives and think about making some changes.

For many of us, that involves glancing down at a gut that is somewhat bigger than it was in the past and vowing to “exercise more.” (If you’re not one of these people, feel free to skip ahead a few lines.)

Unfortunately, I’ve certainly been one of those people who vows to exercise more and somehow, someway, fails to do so in any meaningful way.  

We all have an opportunity, however, to do something that promises to enhance our fitness, extend our life, provide time for thoughtful reflection, AND protect the environment.

This doesn’t involve joining a gym, joining the Sierra Club, buying the latest piece of exercise equipment, or learning how to meditate while maintaining impossible positions. This revolutionary practice is called…walking.

That’s right, by walking more, we have an opportunity to simultaneously accomplish all of the above. Please consider:

n When we walk, we see things along the path that are missed when traveling in a car or even when biking. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve noticed something different in my own neighborhood while walking.

Architectural details, great landscaping, and friendly cats are all things you won’t notice at 25 MPH. Moving at a walking pace puts us more in touch with our environment.

n Walking is a very beneficial physical activity. It will gently help you stay in shape. It raises your heart rate and tones your legs. (See the web sites below for many more details on the physical benefits of walking.)

n Walking provides us with time to think. Since those walking aren’t in charge of a potentially deadly weapon, i.e., a motor vehicle, we can actually let our mind wander a bit while walking and think through the things we need to think through. Thus, we gain peace of mind while losing a piece of flab.

n When we travel by foot, we aren’t polluting the air, consuming fossil fuels, or generating noise pollution. It’s the cleanest and greenest way to travel.

For some, walking is a great thing to do with a friend, as a formal exercise or social activity, while others prefer to walk alone. Some of us like to hear the birds chirping, while others listen to music.

Some of us fling our arms to get additional exercise, while others mosey along. It doesn’t matter if you’re a head-banging power walker or a quiet stroller. The bottom line is walk more. It will be good for the planet and it will be good for you too.

Eco-Fact of the Week:  A 150 pound person burns about 100 calories per mile when walking at normal speed.

For more calorie counting information, go to walking.about.com/cs/howtoloseweight /a/calcalculators.htm .

Eco-Web Pages of the Week:  For more information on the benefits of walking, visit www.walkinginfo.org/pp/benefits/ or www.ramblers.org.uk/info/everyone/health.

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