But today was the day I had to start all over again. I went out and started with a warm-up walk, and once I felt comfortable with it, I added in short sprints. While I was trying to power through, and feeling perilously close to death, I wondered how much distance I had covered. I briefly entertained the idea of returning home and then driving the route with my car in order to use what my kids call the “trip tik” – and then I remembered MapMyRun. This site has a wealth of information, from routes that other members have posted, places to map your own run and even a log to record your efforts. There’s also the Google Map Pedometer, which is incredibly cool, and free to boot. Free is always my favorite way to be.

Keep track of your distance. I’ll bet you will become addicted to seeing those numbers jump!

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Essentials for Runners: Google Map Pedometer and MapMyRun

Our very own fitness expert Matt has been blogging his series “Best places to run” and this is a great addition for those of you looking for additional resources for various cities across the country. 

What I love about the program is that it doesn’t simply limit your search to larger cities, you can drill down to smaller towns and find runs that are in your area or you can even create your own. When I was training for a half-marathon I ended up driving through my neighborhood and mapping out 4, 8 and 12 mile routes using the mileage marker on the car. I can now map where I would like to run and determine the length through the mapping functionality.

If you aren’t a runner but enjoying biking, hiking or simply walking there are tools for that as well and it is a nice way to track your progress and mileage along with calories if you enter in your personal information and log-in regularly.

To check out MapMyRun and other tools associated visit: www.mapmyrun.com

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Find and Track Your Runs with MapMyRun

The first season introduced us to this darling Savannah, Geogia resident whose weight had gotten so out of control she was told she’d die if she didn’t make some dramatic changes. The docu-series follows Ruby’s daily life, introduces us to family and friends, and shows how Ruby is slowly but surely making those important life-saving changes. Not only does Ruby works with a crack team of doctors, nutritionists, and trainers to help her better understand how to manage a healthy lifestyle, but she also works with a therapist to confront the deep issues that have prevented Ruby from making these changes.

Season two opens on a tragic event, as Ruby must deal with the sudden death of her father. The first true test of her new self, it’s with determination and her constant support network that Ruby’s able to persevere and not let this event keep her from crossing below the 350 pound mark. Former flame Denny returns and treats Ruby to a Rascal Flatts concert, a trip that sends her back to Savannah more determined than ever.

Prepare to meet an all-new Ruby and one ready to take on exciting new experiences this season. They might be things that many of us take for granted, but in season two we’ll see Ruby ride a bike for the first time in decades, visit the gynecologist, shop for new clothes and even participate in a breast cancer walk.

If you’re ready to make some big changes in your life just like Ruby, then join Ruby’s Walk Across America. It’s her way of helping Americans take those all important first steps toward a healthier life. In fact, you can join Ruby in two Walk Across America events this summer, and walk alongside the Style Network sweetheart.

• July 11 in Los Angeles: 10a, rain or shine! Oceanfront, adjacent to Santa Monica Pier
• July 18 in St. Louis: 10a, rain or shine! Kiener Plaza at the corner of Market & Broadway

Ruby continues to inspire a nation in the season two premiere July 5 at 8 p.m. et/pt.

Check-out more from “Ruby” season one.

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Ruby Season 2 Premieres on Style Network July 5

Again, this is a goal to motivate those who need a little extra kick in the butt to get moving. Set a goal for walking 10,000 steps and once you beat that for a week straight, up your goal to 11,000 steps per day.

I trust it would be fairly difficult to calculate the steps in your head or on paper, so a pedometer is very useful. A pedometer is a device that calculates the amount of steps that you take. Most pedometers allow you to set your actual stride length so that it can correctly calculate distances and various other elements. Pedometers come in all shapes and sizes as well as cheap or expensive. You can pick one up for five bucks or you can spent a couple hundred; whatever makes you happy. Good luck, and below are a few examples of how you can achieve your goal.

• Take your dog for a walk

• Go for a stroll with a loved one after dinner

• Take the stairs instead of the elevator

• Park in the furthest parking spot possible

• Mow the lawn with a push mower

• Get up to change the channel instead of using the remote

Ready to get started? Then check-out these pedometers.

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The 10,000 Steps a Day Walking Program

Shellay, Amy, my dad Jerry, and I offer you a few tips to stay fit and comfortable on your next charity walk.

What are some of your favorite walking tips?

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4 Tips for Charity Walks from Biggest Loser Contestants

Yeah.  I have a good imagination.

The first time I went out for a deliberate walk, I plotted a course. It was about three miles long, and I thought that if I wasn’t tired at the end, I’d repeat it again.  Only, the first part of it consisted of walking around my block, and I was completely exhausted when I finished just that part.  I made it back to my house in ten minutes – no, that is not an exaggeration  – and I sat on the curb and cried.  How had this happened?  How had I gotten into such bad shape that a walk around the block exhausted me?   I thought back to all of the times that I’d made bad choices – taken seconds (or even thirds!), sat on the couch rather than chase after my kids in the backyard, picked donuts and a frappuccino for breakfast over yogurt and fruit.  Every one of those choices added to the previous one had contributed to my appalling physical condition.

I stood up from the curb, more determined than ever to get myself into some kind of physical shape – and yes, round is a shape, but I wanted to be in a DIFFERENT shape.  Starting from that pathetic attempt, I worked myself up to walking and running a half marathon.  If I can do it, you can do it.  I pinky promise.

If you have weight to lose, why not  investigate walking?  It’s an exercise that you can do virtually anywhere, with very little supplies to buy other than good sneakers and socks.  I’ve walked in Mexico, the Bahamas, Canada and all around my fair city. It’s good for you, getting you outside and in the fresh air.  It’s easy on the joints, you can take your kids, and if you walk with your spouse, it gives you both a great opportunity to catch up on each others lives. Or walking can be your own version of alone time.

Are you a walker?  Or did you find a different exercise that jump started your exercise habit?

See how Carmen’s weight loss journey began.

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Walking Can be the First Step Toward Weight Loss

Here is how the challenge works: You can sign up between April 12 and June 6 at your local Weight Watchers or online. Once you join the challenge, you can create your own walking team or sign up for a 5K event. This will give you automatic access to a free eight-week online training program which can help you reach an activity goal of walking a 5K.

In addition, all participants who complete the eight-week walking training program will be eligible to download a special President’s Challenge Award from Weight Watchers. The President’s Challenge is a free, motivational tracking program of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports and encourages making activity part of everyday life.

The goal of the Momentum Walk-It Challenge is to encourage Weight Watchers members to become more active, to form mini social networks and to experience the myriad health and psychological benefits of exercise. Plus, walking is such a simple form of fitness yet it burns calories, tones muscles and helps you reach your weight loss goal.

For more information on the Momentum Walk-It Challenge, visit the Weight Watcher’s website.

Learn more about the new Weight Watchers Momentum program.

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Weight Watchers Momentum Walk-It Challenge

With the long-awaited arrival of Spring, nothing feels better than taking a simple 20-minute walk on your lunch break or a leisurely stroll after dinner. Walking doesn’t cost you a dime, but its health benefits are likely to do more than just keep money in your wallet.

We at DietsInReview are strong advocates of moving more and being more active every day. So we encourage you to lace up some comfy shoes, grab a friend, your pet or just go solo and head outdoors. And one more thing: leave your MP3 player at home and simply tune your ears into the sweet beginning sounds of Spring.

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We Love Walking Outside

Here’s a nice background video on the event, including interviews with participants:

The challenge brings together 2,000 fifth and sixth graders and 20 members of Congress to race across the country. Well, not literally. What makes the challenge interesting is that it’s a cyber race, in which the participants power a cartoon horse avatar by taking real steps monitored by a pedometer.

“We have an explosion of obesity, as far as Americans are concerned,” says Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-OR). “There is more time on videos, there is more time being schlepped to school, there are more opportunities for people to avoid simple common sense activities that make a difference. This is what is so great about the challenge is that it engages young Americans to do something that young Americans of a generation or two ago did.”

The American Horsepower Challenge is a part of a trend known as “exergaming” that incorporates exercise or some form of movement into video games. The most famous example of this is the popular video game platform Wii.

The brilliance in exergaming is that it makes fitness fun and challenging. That’s the perfect combination. especially if you’re at all competitive.

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Humana Challenges Kids and Congress to a Race

Walking at least 30 minutes a day can greatly reduce your risk of obesity-related diseases like cancer, stroke and diabetes. A “very brisk” walk, about four mph, for 30 minutes will burn about 150 calories.

Mark your calendars for April 29, National Walk to Lunch Day, sponsored by Blue Cross and Blue Shield.

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April 3 is Walk to Work Day