My phone has a pedometer

It is scary when you start to realize what others walk, or don’t walk each day.  For so many, walking is their only activity of the day. Yet, many look to see how to limit the amount of walking they do.  They drive more instead of walking.  They look for the parking spot closer to the front door.  Anything to save a minute.  But at what expense?

I have made conscious changes to my route to and from work based on the weather. Oddly enough, walking more has cut my commute by 10-12 minutes. However, even if it cost me 10 minutes the other way it would be worth it.  The benefits out weigh the any potential negative.

The walk is time to focus. Frame out the day, maybe listen to some music, and best of all get out,of a cramped subway where you can feel everyone’s tension about the work day.  Everyday there is a powder keg-like person on the train ready to unreasonably erupt on another innocent commuter. Now that person needs to walk.  But, I digress.

Walking has the benefit of reducing risk of dementia, heart disease, depression and many other diseases. It’s just so important for the body to move. Then there is also weight management.

Which brings us to exercise.  Yes, walking is exercise, but we must remember to train the whole body.  This doesn’t mean “getting huge” like a bodybuilder.  It means gaining muscular and cardiovascular strength to handle the daily tasks and a even a little bit more, because cleaning out a closet or going for a pleasurable hike with friends shouldn’t be a difficult task.

It may not be possible for everyone to get one-on-one personal training, but either that or group training can help make a difference in one’s quality of life and daily routine.  There are Upper East Side personal trainers available for either type of training at both chain gyms or independent personal training gyms.

It may seem trivial, but I would recommend getting a pedometer app for your phone.  Depending on your operating system you will have different choices.  I consider myself an active guy since I go to the gym 4-6 times per week, but it isn’t enough. The pedometer helps me see how little a person moves once they get to work.  It’s better to be conscious of our activity levels during the day.  Small incremental changes can lead to better results over time.