April 6 is National Walk to Work Day
On April 6th Ditch the Car and Take a Hike During National Walk to Work Day!
On April 2, 2004 then
“A walk can be an invigorating way to clear your head and ready yourself for the workday. It can also help increase productivity at work. Instead of meeting in the boardroom, head outside with your colleagues--you'll be amazed at the ideas you generate when your body is in motion.” says CPMA President Dr. Ernest J. Hook a podiatric surgeon who practices in Folsom, CA.
“Walking is just about the best health bargain around. It's fun, easy to do, it’s free, and research supports the long-standing belief that taking just a few extra steps a day can improve the lives of all Americans.” says Dr. Hook.
”In fact,” says Hook “ the cost of our not walking as a nation--and living a sedentary lifestyle--is staggering. Obesity and poor physical fitness are rapidly catching up to smoking as the leading causes of preventable death in the
How to Participate: Californians are encouraged to walk for all, or part of, their commute to work on April 6. Aim for at least a minimum 15 minute walk each way. If you take public transportation, try walking to a further stop before boarding, or getting off a stop early and walking the rest of the distance to work. If your commute is too long, invite your co-workers to join you to walk to lunch for Walk to Work Day.
The Goal: Add Healthy Steps to Your Day: A brisk walk can help you and your family look and feel better, increase energy, tone your muscles, and pick-up your spirits. Walking for 30-60 minutes a day can help you lose weight, lower cholesterol, strengthen your heart, and greatly reduce the likelihood of
serious health problems down the road such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes
osteoporosis and arthritis. By finding a way to make walking part of each day, you are giving yourself proven health benefits.
Shoes:
Your walking shoes should be comfortable for walking 15-30 minutes at a stretch. If your work shoes don't work for walking, wear athletic shoes and carry along your work shoes to change into. “Care should be taken when purchasing shoes,” said Dr. Hook The California Podiatric Medical Association offers the following tips for buying shoes.
- Shop for shoes later in the day; feet tend to swell during the day, and it’s best to be fitted while they are in that state.
- Try to select a shoe with a firm midsole, stiff heel counter, appropriate cushioning, and flexibility at the ball of the foot.
- Have your feet measured while you’re standing.
- Be sure shoes fit well
- Buy shoes that don’t pinch your toes, either at the tips, or across the toe box.
- Always try on both shoes, and walk around the store.
- Always buy for the larger foot; feet are seldom precisely the same size.
- Don’t buy shoes that need a “break-in” period; shoes should be comfortable immediately.
- Try on shoes while you’re wearing the same type of socks or stockings you expect to wear with the shoes.
- If you wear prescription orthotics—biomechanical inserts prescribed by a podiatric physician—you should take them along to shoe fittings.
Use a Pedometer: To promote weight loss and prevent weight gain use a pedometer: A pedometer can motivate you to log more steps each day. Experts say if we all added 2000 more steps to our day, we wouldn't gain another pound.
”CPMA’s aim is to have all Californians incorporate walking into their lives by making it a pleasure, not a chore.” said Hook. In addition to walking to work, or on your lunch hour, Dr. Hook recommends going for a walk after dinner rather than crashing on the couch in front of the television. “Roundup the kids, get out the stroller, grab Fiddo’s leash and go for a walk,” says Dr. Hook.
The
