A Step (or Pedal) in the Right Direction!

Good news! Americans are slowly but surely getting MORE mobile. Research studies utilizing national household travel surveys from the last decade reveal that we walked on average 9 miles more than we did back in 2001. We also biked about 5 miles more. I'm pleased to see that 8% are walking 30 minutes per day- that's my "magic number" for daily exercise, because 30 minutes of getting your heart rate up each day will give your heart, brain and body a boost. In fact, 30 minutes of daily exercise helps improve your mood as much as a low dose of an antidepressant!

I find it interesting that 75% of walking trips and 50% of biking trips in 2009 were purely a mode of transportation (to the store, school, see friends, etc.) rather than for the pleasure or intent of exercise. The wonderful part is that you get the same benefits of exercise, regardless of your intent when you are in motion. With gas prices going up through the roof, I hope we will see a continued trend that bicycling will be used in place of cars for short travel distances.

Why not take a step in the right direction and make a commitment to walk or bike to at least one nearby destination instead of driving? Perhaps your family could walk to a neighborhood yogurt shop or diner, or you could bike to the grocery store for those one or two forgotten items.

BOTTOM LINE: Congrats, America, we're starting to move MORE- keep it up! And please...WEAR HELMETS & visible clothing!

Which Exercise is Best?

ANY exercise can be the "BEST"- really, it's the exercise that YOU will COMMIT to doing! That being said, I will tell you my recommendations.

1. If you have done NO exercise for the memorable past, start with WALKING. Put on a pair of good sneakers, dress for the weather (or head to an indoor mall) and MOVE! If you feel there is simply not a spare half hour in your day to schedule exercise, then get a pedometer (more on them tomorrow), strap it on, and push yourself to increase your step number each day.

2. I am a big fan of EXERCISE BIKES because they are the easiest way to allow cross-training. If you walk, jog or run a few days per week, and hop on your exercise bike the other days, you will nicely balance the strain on your muscles and avoid injuries.

3. Join a GYM...IF IT IS VERY CONVENIENT and/or you will commit along with a PARTNER. Gym memberships are wonderful, IF YOU USE THEM, but many of them are simply a way to open your wallet and dump out money each month.

I'm going to spend the next few blogs expanding on these ideas, so stay tuned!

BOTTOM LINE: The GOAL should be DAILY EXERCISE, so set yourself up for success by choosing the right exercise for you!