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Ways to Walk and Places, Too
By Julie Richman
Moderate Walking Just for Fun and Health, Too It is nice to engage in an activity that makes me feel virtuous and also has health benefits. I have always enjoyed walking. Most of my life I have made an effort to walk wherever I can because I enjoy seeing what's around me, whether it be outdoors in "nature" or on a busy street or in a shopping mall or museum. Physical activity has been advertised as being important for many health benefits. Maintaining a relatively comfortable weight being one of them. I have recently read that something as simple as a brisk 30 or 40 minute walk, five times a week, is capable of also boosting the body's immune system so that viruses are less able to take hold and cause some illnesses such as the common cold. I've really thought that my walks did not really count as physical activity but now I have learned that, according to the new rules, it may count as physical exercise. I am not able to walk very fast because I have a bad arthritic knee, and I use a cane. Nevertheless, I do take at least thirty minutes to get where I am going and the same amount of time to return. If walking for about an hour will do the trick. I'm on my way. The weather has to cooperate in the effort. The problem is that I can only walk during the months when there is no snow on the ground. I am afraid I will slip and fall on the icy streets of Chicago, where I live. Last winter I slipped and fell on what we call black ice." Afterwards I spent time in the hospital and doing physical therapy in order to recover. That unfortunate circumstance eliminated the possibility of walking outdoors or inside. This winter I came up with a new plan. Visit Florida. My daughter lives in Miami Beach, FL and although it may get cold there, it does not snow. Finding a Safe Place to Walk My idea of a safe place to walk doesn't refer to personal safety because I don't walk in neighborhoods that are considered unsafe because of crime, etc. Safety means I need to walk on surfaces that are smooth enough so that I won't trip. I don't want to step on to an uneven piece of sidewalk and fall into a hole. I also need to be careful of runners and bikes that may be on the same path as the one I am on. When I walk in a shopping mall, I try to avoid crowds and groups of adolescent boys or girls. These are the most dangerous because they often do not pay attention to other people who may be in their way. I am now in Florida where I can walk along the beach and enjoy warm weather and ocean breezes while I walk. I can take a bus to a shopping mall and walk there while I window shop and people watch at the same time. And as I mentioned earlier, these walks are going to boost my immune system and, perhaps, slow the process of aging. |
Fine Art by Julie Richman
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Finally, a long-awaited comeback intel from you! I am sorry to hear about your fall, but you seem to have recovered well enough. I hope you'll stay healthy and active - just remember to wave your cane about and keep those pesky teenagers out of the way. 
 | | nick Jan 7, 2010 05:17 | |
Here in the UK it's like Chicago right now, with lots of snow, ice and black ice too. With the dark evenings it's practically impossible to walk outside, and not very pleasant either. It was odd seeing people in Indiana walking in the Shopping Malls in the winter, and in Florida seeing them do the same in the summer, because it's so hot and sticky. I just got back from Florida last weekend, and it was lovely to be able to walk along the beach and the boardwalk in the sunshine. My fiancee and I both love to walk to keep fit.
Walking definitely counts. Even if it's not fast. A top athlete may have to sprint and go to great lengths to exert himself, but it takes less for others. The point is you push yourself a bit. Afterall, if we don't use it, we lose it, right?
Walking outside is my very favorite form of exercise. When my walking partner lived a few yards away from me, we would often walk after work at dusk or even as late as 9 PM. She was an environmental biologist, so walking with her increased my appreciation of what we were seeing. She pointed out many things I would have missed. I hope you will be able to continue enjoying your walks for a long time to come.
You see so much more when you walk don't you. Even walking along the streets here where we live, you can see things that you never noticed before. I love how even day to day the vegetation changes, and you really appreciate how natural things change as the seasons progress. It's good for the body, and good for the soul too.
I LOVE to walk. I used to walk after work as soon as I changed my clothes. It helped me unwind after being indoors and sitting all day. I get my best ideas when I walk alone. I'm fortunate that I can often walk on country roads and hear the birds sing.
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