Walking is the first step to a new way of seeing the world! It’s one the easiest ways to incorporate exercise into your day. Select a route that is quiet and away from cars.
> Walkable Communities
> Selecting a Route
> Freshening Up
Easy Steps Generally, a person weighing 120-150 pounds will burn approximately 80 to 100 calories per mile walked. By walking just one hour a day, you can lose 30 pounds in 7 months.
Consider why you want to walk. Are you looking get more fit, save a little money or find a little energizing time? Whatever your motivation is, know ahead of time, so you’ll be more inclined to stick with it.
Combine Your Trip. Consider taking the bus and getting off a couple of bus stops early. You’ll be able to build walking into your day. Walking to work for just 10 minutes instead of spending unnecessary time looking for a parking spot is a better use of your time.
You don’t have to walk everyday. Start slowly and work your way into a healthy habit. Consider trips where walking is easy to get to your destination such as your local grocery store or park.
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Why to Walk
- Generally people who walk are happier, say hello and meet more people.
- Walking is stress free. You’ll find yourself saving money and avoiding speeding tickets.
- Using your two-feet and a heart beat is good for your soul and your health.
- You’ll save up to $6,000 a year not driving alone to work.
- Don’t be a statistic. In San Luis Obispo County alone 55% of adults are overweight or obese.
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What to Wear With our mild weather on the Central Coast, you do not need to wear special clothing -- just a good pair of shoes to get around.
What to Pack Keep well hydrated. It’s good to plan ahead and bring a little water for your excursion. Bring a snack. When you have to go a long way make sure to dress in layers and carry a backpack.
Walkable Communities
How does your neighborhood compare to others? Get a report card of your neighborhood or anywhere within the USA. This program calculates walkability based on proximity of destinations, from grocery stores and restaurants to parks and school and hardware stores. It's not perfect, but it's pretty darn good! It does not account for the condition of sidewalks etc, but after all, a key factor to walkability is the destination. www.walkscore.com
Selecting a route
The route you drive to work will probably not be the one on which you head out to walk. Pick routes that are off major arterials that make it a more enjoyable experience. Take a look at the distance of your new commute.
Freshen Up
Because of its low impact, you probably won’t need a shower when you get to work, but easy ways to prepare for the day include bringing a small towel, baby wipes to help you freshen up.
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