| Many doctors and fitness experts consider power | | | | temporarily block their vision. Take this advice |
| walking to be the perfect way to stay fit. They | | | | very seriously. I've been nearly hit many times! |
| consider it the perfect exercise because anyone | | | | - Avoid neglected or unattractive neighborhoods. |
| can do it, it doesn't cause trauma to your joints | | | | They can lower your spirits. |
| like running does, and injuries from doing it are | | | | - Avoid neighborhoods that may contain criminal |
| extremely rare. They also point out that the | | | | activities, loose dogs, or unwelcoming residents. |
| human body was designed more for walking than | | | | - Carry a cell phone and/or pepper spray the first |
| running or jogging. | | | | few times you walk through an unfamiliar |
| There are other benefits too. Walking exercise | | | | neighborhood if you have any concerns |
| doesn't require any special equipment, it can be | | | | whatsoever. |
| done almost any where, you can do it throughout | | | | What clothes should you wear? |
| your life, and the outdoor scenery and fresh air | | | | During warm weather months, it's best to wear |
| can be invigorating. | | | | walking or athletic shorts, T-shirt or tank top, |
| I power walk for several miles 6 days a week. | | | | 100% cotton socks, and comfortable walking |
| Power walking is just a more aggressive and | | | | shoes. |
| intense style of walking exercise as I see it. I | | | | During cold weather months, it's best to wear |
| chose this style so that I get the full aerobic | | | | athletic sweats or jeans or both, sweat shirt and |
| benefits. I also try to pick routes that have | | | | jacket, knit hat/cap, gloves, 100% cotton socks, |
| gradual inclines or hills. This enhances the aerobic | | | | and comfortable walking shoes. |
| benefits and it strengthens a wider range of | | | | I started power walking around the time that I |
| muscles. | | | | built my home gym. Since I wasn't going to a |
| Here are some tips for getting the most out of | | | | health club anymore, I needed to find a |
| your power walking. | | | | replacement for the aerobic exercise that I had |
| - Select a route that takes you through a scenic | | | | been getting on the treadmill and Stairmaster |
| area and/or attractive neighborhood(s). Even if | | | | machines. Power walking satisfied my |
| this represents only a portion of your route, the | | | | requirements and I found that I enjoyed it a lot |
| destination will motivate you and you'll be inspired | | | | more. This was particularly true for me since |
| as you pass through. | | | | there was often a maintenance person vacuuming |
| - For maximum aerobic and muscle conditioning, | | | | around the machines during the time I regularly |
| pick a route that has a few gradual inclines or hills. | | | | went to the club. This was one of those old |
| - Listen to your favorite music using a portable | | | | upright vacuums without any HEPA filters. A |
| CD or MP3. Or listen to your favorite station(s) on | | | | vacuum like this one pumps out a hideous mixture |
| a portable FM stereo radio. I use music to | | | | of toxic particles and dust into the air. When |
| enhance my walking pace and rhythm. | | | | you're breathing hard, like you would on the |
| - Listen to personal development audio books | | | | machines, all those poisons are drawn deep into |
| using a portable CD player. I recently started | | | | your lungs at a very high rate. I pointed these |
| doing this. I've been amazed at how many books | | | | things out to the management but nothing ever |
| I've completed and how much I've learned. | | | | changed. As you can imagine, I really appreciated |
| - Carry a bottle of purified drinking water during | | | | the fresh air once I switched to power walking. |
| hot weather to keep yourself hydrated. | | | | There are several good books on power walking |
| - Select a route that has the least amount of | | | | if you want to learn more. One of them that I |
| vehicle traffic. Exhaust fumes are bad for your | | | | read a number of few years ago got me |
| health, especially in highly concentrated amounts, | | | | interested in walking exercise. In fact, I credit this |
| and the noise takes away from the pleasures of | | | | book for my easy transition from machines to |
| walking. | | | | sidewalks. |
| - Avoid routes that cross high traffic streets or | | | | If you're new to exercise, just returning, or |
| boulevards. Drivers have a hard time seeing | | | | looking to add a new aerobic component to your |
| people on foot at sunset, after dark, and at | | | | program, power walking is an excellent choice. |
| sunrise. Vehicle headlights and direct sun can | | | | Give it try! |