walking

When I first decided to try to lose weight, I knew that I had one big problem.  (Well, maybe TWO big problems, if you were to count the size of my behind.  Ahem.  Maybe let’s not go there just yet.)  I hadn’t exercised in so long that my physical condition was appalling.  Laying in bed that first morning, I thought about my exercise options.  Being that it was January, and I didn’t have access to a pool, swimming was out.  I had a stack of exercise DVDs, but I’d tried those in the past and hadn’t really been successful.  (Note to self:  Actually MOVING along while the DVD is playing is the secret, I’ve since discovered.  Who knew?)  I was completely broke and home with both a one-year-old and a two-year-old, so taking classes outside of the home wasn’t feasible.  I finally decided to start walking.  Laying in bed that morning, I had visions of myself RUNNING, hair flying in the breeze, passing other runners like they were standing still.

Yeah.  I have a good imagination.

Just in time for Spring, Weight Watchers’ has announced its Momentum Walk-It Challenge in an effort for all Weight Watchers members and online subscribers to move more.

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.

This week, what we love doesn’t require that you go to the grocery store in search of a few healthy snacks, but instead, it’s simply an action that we do every day and quite honestly, should do more: walking.

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.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, one out of every three children in the United States is overweight.Humana, the health and supplemental benefits company, has an interesting challenge underway to help combat that horrible statistic. It’s called The American Horsepower Challenge, which is a part of the Humana Games 4 Health.

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

Whether or not it’s casual Friday at your office tomorrow, put on your comfortable shoes and hit the bricks. Walk to Work Day is recognized the first Friday of April, an initiative started by Prevention in 2004 to get people moving. They advise a 15 minute walk both ways, 30 minutes round-trip. If you commute, then walk to the next furthest bus or subway stop. If you’re not able to walk to work, grab a group of co-workers and walk somewhere healthy for lunch.

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.