Walk for better health

Walking is an easy, and fun, way to improve your physical and mental health.

Leslie Sansone's eat smart, walk strong : the secrets to effortless weight loss
Leslie Sansone.
New York, NY : Center Street, Time Warner Book Group, c2006.
Sansone applies her proven six-week plan format to reforming the way readers eat. Each week is focused on a theme of bad habits to break and good habits to develop.
     
Walk it off with George. Circuit walk
 
New York, N.Y. : GoodTimes Entertainment, [2004]
  1. DVD, Dolby stereo.
  2. Instructors, George Foreman, Petra Kolber.
  3. Fitness workout that combines power-walking intervals with light strength-training moves.
     
Two mile walk
with Leslie Sansone ; a Donald Michael Kasen Production ; producer/director, Cal Pozo.
Newark, NJ : PPI Entertainment Group, 2002 ,c1996.
  1. DVD, stereo.
  2. Title from disc label.
  3. Aerobics instructor: Leslie Sansone.
  4. Director of photography, Manny Rodriguez ; editor, choreographer, Mary Kay Bruening ; editor, Jim Snarski ; music, John Tendy.
  5. Fitness program for in-home use is based on walking and is intended to be the equivalent of two miles. Paced at a speed equal to walking a 15-minute mile.
  6. Special features include Leslie Sansone biography, web link.
     
Walk away the pounds. 2 mile high calorie burn
Dragonfly Productions.
Hicksville, NY : Unlimited Energy, c2001.
  1. VHS.
  2. Leslie Sansone, instructor.
  3. Producer/director, Andrea Ambandos ; director, Cal Pozo ; editor, Jason Savitt ; music, Rich Mchugh.
  4. "Produced by FITVID Productions"--Container.
  5. Walk two miles at home in front of your TV. Turn up the intensity with this energizing workout. New moves to keep it fun and interesting. Includes warm-up and cool-down sections as well as weight resistance for turning your body into a fat-burning machine.
     

The St. Louis area offers many attractions for the walker.  A walk through any of St. Louis' neighborhoods, parks or trails is more than exercise.  It gives the walker the opportunity to relive the City's history and experience its present. 

A brisk 30-minute walk burns about 200 calories. Walking slowly for 30 minutes uses 100 calories.

Making a few minor changes, such as parking farther from a store and walking the extra distance, can make a difference.

Walkers can venture out on their own, get a group of friends together or join Volksmarching groups.  Bad weather is no excuse to curtail a walk.  Malls, shopping areas and schools offer special programs geared to walkers.

By putting one foot in front of the other several times a week walkers add to their energy and stamina, help control weight, and reduce the risk of many diseases. 

It is ok to start slowly and make stops along the way--just stick with it and walk at bit longer or faster the next day.

Successful walkers:

  • Get in the habit of walking
  • Develop their own walking route -- some like a different route each day; others repeat their route
  • Do stretching exercises first
    Wear layered, loose clothing and good shoes
  • Remember to carry water
    Keep a journal or log to track walks
  • Find a walking partner or join a walking group

Article by: St. Louis Public Library staff.