PROGRESS NOT PERFECTION

It is of little importance how fast I am moving, but it does matter which way I am pointing. I have taken 2 months off from blogging. There seemed to be a need for fresh air into my perspective, I am ready again. There will be some changes and additions this year to the blog to try to share more information and to try to pay for some upgrades in the site.

Two years ago I weighed in at the cardiologist at 251 pounds, The doctor said don’t come back here at that weight again. One year ago, this month, my weight was around 240 pounds, My work schedule had sent me off to Honolulu, Hawaii. I had the simple realization while there that I don’t have to live the life of a fat guy. This came to me through a high school buddy who lives in Honolulu. Keith was recovering from a minor surgery so he was off his regular workout routine. He is an age group, world-class jungle/off-road runner. We talked about aging, eating habits,  workouts, and old friends. He took his time each afternoon and evening to walk me through his city. He drove me to his workout sites and we walked some more. Oh, did I mention we ran track together in High School? I believe Keith is the same body weight as he was in high school or maybe a little less. My post-high school athletic career had me working to gain weight for football and I just kept going and gaining long after I’d stopped competing. I am grateful this old friend showed me the path to fitness. I am now at 218 pounds and pointed in the right direction.

5 Reasons Walking is Underrated

Source from https://blog.myfitnesspal.com

There are a lot of workouts that have a barrier to entry. Take spinning for instance. To do it safely, a new rider needs help setting up the bike. Boxing requires extra gear, like gloves and hand wraps. The list goes on and on.

Walking often gets flack for not being “good enough”. Here are five reasons why that’s a myth:

1. IT GETS YOU MOVING

In today’s “sitting is the new smoking” society, any movement is better than none. British researchers found sitting or simply standing for more than 30 minutes at a clip can negatively impact your health. The CDC recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-level exercise each week. You can divide it to fit your life, but get moving.

       2. IT REDUCES MORTALITY RATE

A study surveying more than 50,000 walkers in the United Kingdom found regular walking at an average, brisk or fast pace was associated with a 20% reduction in all-cause mortality. They also found a 24% reduction in the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease.

3. IT’S LESS LIKELY TO CAUSE INJURY

Compared to running, walking has a much lower injury rate. A systematic review showed a one-year injury rate of 27% in novice runners, 32% in long-distance runners and 52% in marathon runners.

4. IT HAS SIMILAR BENEFITS TO RUNNING

 Moderate-intensity walking shows a similarly visible reduction in risk of heart disease,   high cholesterol, diabetes, and high blood pressure, when compared to vigorous-   intensity running, according to research from “Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and   Vascular Biology”.

5. IT CAN HELP YOU THINK CREATIVELY

Whether you’re a fan of the treadmill or prefer to stroll outdoors, walking can help you come up with your next big idea. Stanford researchers found creative thinking improves while a person is walking as well as shortly thereafter.

Next post: Which diet is ranked best for 2019

Be healthy,

Dave