Tag Archives: Safe walk

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

WALK 50 MILES PER MONTH

Make this your goal:  to walk 50 miles per month.  This great information from the AARP Bulletin gives these excellent reasons to promise yourself that you will walk 50 miles per month:

1.    Get fit:  Aerobic capacity: 19% increase; physical function: 25% increase, and risk of disability: 41% decrease.

2.    Save on annual medical bills.  Normal-weight retiree: $3,300, Overweight retiree: $2,500 and entire country: $1.4 trillion.

3.    Improve cardiovascular health.  Heart disease: 32% lower risk; Stroke: 33% lower risk, Type 2 Diabetes: 71% lower risk.

4.    Fight cancer. Breast: 18% lower risk; Colon: 31% lower risk; All forms: 33% higher survival rate.

5.    Lose weight.  Each walk: 150 calories; Monthly: 1.3 pounds; Annually: 15.6 pounds.

6.    Accelerate recovery.  Depression: 47% reduction of symptoms, Skin wounds: shorten healing by 10 days.

7.    Battle degenerative disease.  Alzheimer’s: 40% lower risk; Arthritis: 46% lower risk, Osteoporosis: 0% loss of bone density.

Listed are seven things you will have accomplished once you make this a routine part of your day.  Just half an hour of walking each day at a brisk pace of 3.5 mph will help you achieve these benefits, regardless of your age. Bone density is improved by any weight bearing exercise, and what could be better than walking?

Who can’t spare 30 minutes per day?  You could even do it on your lunch hour, before work, or after work.  If you aren’t already doing so, try it!  Walking is also a great way to relieve stress.  If you want to get really serious, get a pedometer.  An average of 10,000 steps per day will help you lose weight.  (Just don’t get into the candy after your walk!)

General Safety Issues, High Visibility Safety

WAYS TO HAVE A SAFE WALK

Walking is an inexpensive way to get exercise and fresh air, all at the same time!  My day begins with taking my dog for a walk.  He thinks his day is ruined if he doesn’t get to go for a walk; therefore, I have him to thank for motivating me to get into a healthy routine.
Living in a small town, I don’t face as many obstacles as those who live in cities do.  Walkers in larger towns have walking lanes that provide a safe place to walk, but there are other hazards they face.

Here are some tips that may be helpful:

  • Be sure to walk where there is sufficient lighting.
  • Wear bright colors or reflective clothing in order to be visible to drivers.
  • Carry a flashlight if you walk when daylight begins to dim.
  • Watch for speeding or distracted drivers.
  • Carry a cell phone with you.
  • Walk against traffic.
  • Leave jewelry at home.
  • Stay on the sidewalk if possible.
  • Cross only at marked intersections.
  • See and Be Seen!
  • Have a walking partner; if you have a dog, you will make his/her day!

According to the Federal Highway Administration, there are almost 5,000 pedestrian deaths annually in the United States.  Don’t be a statistic, stay safe!