v    We, as a species, have achieved a higher degree of sitting on our butts than any generation to precede us. Our sedentary lifestyle is one of the prime causes for the increases of obesity, heart disease and stroke over the past fifty years, and our stress levels have increased in proportion.

We're living in a time where the fast pace seems to be the norm. Our economy-driven, "I need it yesterday" workplace calls for us to be at work for longer hours, with a longer commute, along more congested roadways. The motivation that drives the more-better-faster characteristic of the workplace certainly raises the stress levels and everyone you deal with is looking for instant gratification. We live longer, work harder, learn more and forget more than generations past.

To compensate for the time lost, we've created conveniences and accommodations in our lives that minimize the level of physical work we need to do in order to accomplish various tasks. In other words, we get less exercise than we used to. We don't wash our cars, we drive them through car washes. We also drive through banks and fast-food restaurants. We ride power mowers, use powered hedge clippers, self-cleaning ovens and garbage disposals, and dozens of other machines of convenience. We pay for our gas at the pumps instead of walking inside. Most popular of all - we don't even get up to change the channel anymore, as the remote control has become a household necessity, and the symbol of power for the one who holds it. For he, or she (but usually he) who holds the remote directs the journey through ninety-four channels of "nothing on".

Even the simple act of watching television has become more stressful. For the most part, the shows of the past were simple and relaxing. Once upon a time, our biggest excitement was watching someone trying to win $64,000, or Lucy having a baby, or Eddie Haskell telling Mrs. Cleaver what a lovely dress she was wearing. However, late in 1963, television changed, and changed us forever. The JFK assassination and the four days that followed was covered on television to the exclusion of just about everything else. We all sat, glued to the television, watching the images from Dallas and Washington and other parts of the world. In those four days, we sent a signal to those who transmit the signals to us. The result is that now, we can sit and watch 24 hours a day of news, wars, terrorist attacks impeachment hearings, plane crashes, hostage-takings, riots, murder trials and other stress-producing events.

Our inactivity is hereditary. We are giving it to our kids. We played stickball - they play video games. We rode our bikes, navigating through the neighborhood - they navigate through web sites and chat rooms. We went to the ball park and rooted for our heroes - and now that we pay them the big money, we can't afford tickets anymore -so our kids go to the movies and fill up on popcorn, with butter (is that really butter?). The next generation of couch-potatoes is in their formative years, and they're learning very well from us.

We've got an entire channel dedicated to food, the whole food, and nothing but the food! We watch, and lust for, the decadence of the chocolate cakes, the luxurious rich sauces, the gourmet dishes and more. Why not? We're certainly living larger than our ancestors, in more ways than one. We've got more choices of restaurants than we can ever visit, and we can have just about any kind of food delivered right to our front doors. We don't even have to call by phone anymore. Push a few buttons on the right web site and have a seven-course meal delivered to your home, with the right choice of wine, of course. Or we can go to the nearby all-you-can-eat smorgasbord, or the brunch buffet. We have wonderful choices, but do we really want to add hazelnut syrup to our hot caffeine or "supersize" that burger for the extra soda and fries?

Take a close look at this lifestyle I've described and tell me if you are ready to click into Gee-I-Need-A-Break-From-All-This.com. If you are, then it's time to get up and literally walk away from a sedentary lifestyle and toward wellness.

So? Why Walk?

There are hundred of reasons why you should start your own walking program. I've grouped them into three simple categories.

1. Walking is safe and easy for just about everyone.

Let's start by assessing your walking skills. Try the following exercise designed to measure your aptitude before you start designing a program.

A. Stand up. Rest your arms at your sides.
B. Move your left foot forward.
C. Move your right foot forward ahead of your left.
D. Move your left foot forward ahead of your right.

Did you fall down? Good. You can walk. It's an easy, low impact form of exercise that you can perform almost anywhere, any time, without barriers. You don't need to form a team, rent time on a court, buy special equipment or travel to a special location. Walking is perfectly adaptable to any schedule and you can do it anywhere, for any length of time, at any level of intensity, alone or with others, any time of day!

2. Walking is beneficial to your health.

The following list is pretty self-explanatory. The bottom line is that walking will allow the things that positively affect your health to increase, and the negatives to decrease.

Walking Increases ...
energy, stamina and metabolism
sound restful sleep
muscle tone and bone density
HDL - the "good" cholesterol
volume of plasma in blood - which thins the blood and reduces the risk of clotting
prevention of risk factors for Coronary Artery Disease, some cancers and other diseases.
wellness, fitness and happiness!

Walking Decreases ...
risk of Coronary Artery Disease, some cancers, osteoporosis and other diseases.
risks of Diabetes by lowering blood sugars and body fat levels
number of sick days from work and school
symptoms of PMS, back pain, arthritis
number of episodes of common cold
blood pressure and LDL - the "bad" cholesterol.
stress!!!

3. Walking will cause an increase in joy in your life

Aside from the benefits to your physical health, walking will improve your emotional well-being. The peaceful experience of a walk through the park on a mild spring day, stopping to smell the flowers, can be a relaxing and joyful one. You don't have to walk because it's good for you. You can do it because it's fun.

You can use your walking program to catch up on your socializing. Reconnect with friends and family members by sharing a nice long walk with them, discussing the day's events or reminiscing about the good old days. Given the nature of our equally hectic schedules, sometimes the only time my wife and I get to talk over some items is during a pleasant evening walk. Our walking program sets a positive example for our kids and someday in the future, because we'll be fit, we'll be able to keep up with grandchildren. Our emotional outlook on life in enhanced by the knowledge that we'll be in good physical condition.

Maintaining a walking program is a positive achievement - something you can really feel good about. Another level of positive achievement is that of competition. There are many opportunities for competing as a walker, from fun walks to marathons. Try entering one of the many fun walks that are fund-raisers for charities. You'll get to compete with other walkers, raise money for a good cause, bring home a cool new t-shirt or hat, and feel good about all of it. The feeling of confidence you'll get from walking will spill over into other aspects of your life.

Quite a good deal, this walking stuff. Look better, feel better, socialize with others, and maybe even win something ... all for the price of a decent pair of sneakers. So what are you waiting for? Turn off the computer, lace up those sneakers and get out there and walk!