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A recent Harvard University study found that women who take at least four hour-long walks per week have a significantly decreased risk of heart disease.
"Walking is sort of a religion to me. . . There's hardly any problem that a walk can't solve." Rebecca Wells, author of Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood Alone, a walk can be a time for contemplation, for appreciation of nature, or just a quiet time away from the craziness of daily life. With a good friend or two, it can be a chance to catch up, a full-on gossip session, or the enjoyment of another's company in silence. And as you increase your speed and mileage, a walk can increase aerobic fitness as well as combat heart disease and other ailments. I have trouble making a walk an aerobic experience without help. I tend to stroll and stop to look at the sky, smell the bark of trees, and listen for the bark of my dog. But a heart monitor has helped me keep up the pace. I use a simple model made by Polar (http://www.polarusa.com/) which consists of a chest strap and a wristwatch display that shows heart rate. You can set your target heart rate zone, and the watch will give you a visual or audio warning when you are exercising outside of this zone. For the more gadget-oriented, Suunto (http://www.suuntousa.com/) makes a watch compatible with chest straps that also displays altitude, barometric pressure, and compass direction. Walking can be a part of your life wherever you live. You can walk on city streets and window-shop, or down a peaceful country road. I like to walk on the trails in the state park behind my house. In addition, I like walks on hills, because they force my heart rate up and strengthen my legs. For more information on walking in your area, check out Walking Magazine's web site (http://www.walkingmag.com/). This site also has information on walking shoes, community resources, and creating a walking plan specific to your lifestyle. I also enjoy the print magazine, which contains nutrition and fitness trips as well as exotic walking destinations. Asimba.com (http://www.asimba.com) offers free email training programs, as well as general fitness and nutrition tips. There are several walking programs available, from "Easy Walking" to an intermediate program that combines strength training with walking. Each program is monitored by a professional trainer. Email updates for the daily workout can be sent the day before the workout, so you have time to plan your schedule. This site also has a training log where you can record your progress. Go To Page: 1 2
The copyright of the article Walking for life in Outdoor Recreation is owned by . Permission to republish Walking for life in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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