An Iowa Avenue Exclusive – WalkerTrackerIowaAvenue - Walking is about to get more fun

[Lisa Newton]

You’ve heard me talk about the value of walking. In fact, I think it’s the greatest thing since sliced bread. I’m sure some fitness enthusiasts—or not so enthusiastic-- will respond by stating that:

“It takes too much time.”

“You don’t get a good workout.”

“It’s not aerobic enough.”

“It doesn’t build strong muscles.”

And you know what, they could be right and they could be wrong. It sounds paradoxical but its true--walking may not be the most intense physical and/or muscle building exercise, but it’s a great place to start.

Be that as it may—it’s among the most popular form of exercise and one that’s wholeheartedly recommended by the scientific, medical, and sports community as being safe, effective, and which helps people to maintain their youth, vigor, and to burn calories in a safe and efficient manner.

In fact, it’s a great exercise you can easily incorporate into everyday life without compromising a lot of your time, money and resources.

Here are some suggestions how you can easily include walking into your daily life:

1. Walk around the entire house and yard while you take care of everyday activities.

2. Walk up and down stairs whenever you have the choice and chance.

3. Walk around the grocery store. That’s actually a lot of fun, because you’re able to check out various food labels and compare prices of fresh and other healthy foods.

4. Walk around the mall. Indeed many walking groups are formed to do exactly that.

5. Walk to somewhere close by, instead of driving.

6. Walk it out, if you’re forced to shovel the snow—that way your mood will be better!

7. Walk around your local neighborhood. This is a classic way of combining pleasure, fun, and being aware of your surroundings. You just might make some new friends or be able to greet a familiar face.

8. Walk while talking on the phone—here in Los Angeles that’s the norm rather than the exception.

9. Walk around the kitchen while cooking, but safety first.

10. Walk to your grocery store instead of driving.

11. Walk on a local hiking trail like Susana and I share our WWW pictures!

12. Walk around your place of employment during lunchtime.

13. Walk around with your children or grandchildren—you and they will always treasure those memories.

To be sure, from just the small list above the possibilities of walking are as long as the imagination and can just come naturally. Of course there’s no need to stop any other of your physical fitness routines such as strength training, jogging, treadmill, swimming, bicycling or any other form of your regular exercise--but never count out the amount of time you could be spending by more frequently adding walking into your daily life.

So here’s the special announcement for all Iowa Avenue Members present and future:

Iowa Avenue and Walker Tracker have teamed up to begin an exclusive walking community experience to all Iowa Avenue members. If you haven’t used Walker Tracker before, this is your chance, plus, it’s FREE to join!

All you have to do is register at WalkerTrackerIowaAvenue – and start keeping track of your steps. The recommended daily dose of steps is 10,000, but you’re welcome to start at whatever number is comfortable for you.

How do you keep track of steps?

With a pedometer—I recommend the one pictured on the right because I currently use it and love it. In fact, after I lost my previous one, when I purchased this one it came with its own software. But since I never used the software before, I saw no reason to use it now.

In any case, why pay extra for software when WalkerTrackerIowaAvenue – will keep your step records, and we’ll provide you a venue to blog about your walks, post pictures, talk about your walking experiences; and soon we’ll be offering some fun competitions.

What competitions?

Why the ones we’ll all organize. Competitions that span time, distance, or improvements in and to our daily lives and that we can share--competitions between men, women, our children, east coast vs. west coast, etc. When it comes to competitions, the possibilities are endless; and indeed fun.

So, if you’re thinking about joining a walking program, or want to start one, or already walk, sign up at IowaAvenueWalkerTracker, because

It’s about a healthy lifestyle.

©Iowa Avenue

[DavidinCalifornia]

Hi Lisa,

Do you know of any " walking" groups near Redondo Beach or Venice Beach?

David

[Susana]

Great post with good ideas Lisa. Thank you for mentioning me :)

I use an Omron HJ-720ITC Pocket Pedometer with Advanced Omron Health Management Software to keep track of my walk and transfer data to my PC. It is convenient for me.

I really enjoy doing my regular walking through local hiking trials in addition to my forced walking during the weekdays.

Since I moved to my new place, my husband takes our car to work. So being at home during the week I don't have another choice than walking to go everywhere. The shortest distance from home is 0.5 mile to buy a few produce products. Our local library is at 0.75 mile, the closest supermarket at 1 mile and the P.O. is about 1.25 mile just only one way for all of them in different directions.

Everything counts. But I feel happy about it :)