Health & Fitness
Take a Hike...!
“Every twenty minutes on the Appalachian Trail, Katz and I walked farther than the average American walks in a week. For 93 percent of all trips outside the home, for whatever distance or whatever purpose, Americans now get in a car. On average, the total walking of an American these days - that's walking of all types: from car to office, from office to car, around the supermarket and shopping malls - adds up to 1.4 miles a week...That's ridiculous.”
― Bill Bryson, A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail
Bill Bryson wrote that in 1998 and I’m not sure it is accurate today and whether or not it was accurate then. What is true is that many people, school age children too, just don’t get enough activity on a daily basis.
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The facts do point out that Americans do not get enough exercise.
Among students living within 1 mile of school, the percentage of walkers fell from 90% to 31% between 1969 and 2001
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According to the CDC, 33% of US adults are classified as obese
In the last 40 years, childhood obesity has increased 5-fold for kids 6-11
Most of us agree that physical activity is important. Most of us believe physical education is important for our children and know exercise improves academic performance. Then how did we let these changes occur to the physical education programs in our schools? http://sitemaker.umich.edu/356.speregen/physical_education_and_school_performance)
only 8% of elementary schools, 6.4% of middle schools, and 5.8% of high schools provide daily physical education to all of its students (SHPPS, 2000)
20% of all elementary schools in the US have abolished recess in favor of increased classroom time under pressure to improve student achievement (Satcher, 2005)
Less than 25% of children are engaged in 30 minutes of any type of daily physical activity (Satcher, 2005)
The average person takes 2,000 steps per mile. The question is how many steps does an average person take per day? Estimates range from 1,000 to 3,000 steps a day.
A health goal might be to walk 10,000 steps per day. Based on the average person’s stride length that would equal 5 miles per day.
Are you asking, “how can I walk 10,000 steps a day?”
Here are some ideas (hint: you don't have to walk all 10,000 steps at one time):
walk with your spouse, child, or friend - it’s a great way to catch up
walk the dog - add a bit each day, your pet could probably use the exercise too
use the stairs instead of the escalator or elevator
park farther away from the store or mall - plus it will be easier to find a parking spot
better yet, if the store is less than a mile away, walk!
plan a walking meeting
Buy a pedometer or upload a smartphone app
work in a building with stairs? climb up and down for 3-5 minutes every hour and walk for half your lunch break
Today is a great day to get started and celebrate “Take a Hike Day”!
As my friend Mike says, "Hike on!"
Thank you for this opportunity to serve you.
Master Chris Berlow, 6th Dan
Professional Martial Artist, Owner, and Author
