More Exercise = Better Grades
UPI.com (March 31, 2009)
A University of Illinois study suggests there are academic benefits from physical education classes, recess periods and after-school exercise programs. The study, published in the journal Neuroscience, found that following walking exercise, children performed better and had a higher rate of accuracy, especially when the task was more difficult. The goal of the study was to see if a single acute bout of moderate exercise -- walking -- was beneficial for cognitive function in a period of time afterwards.

Caffeine Reduces Pain during Exercise, Study Shows
Science Daily (March 30, 2009)
A professor of Kinesiology at the University of Illinois, who is also an athlete, finds that caffeine before a workout causes exercisers to experience less pain. He said, “One of the things that may be a practical application, is if you go to the gym and you exercise and it hurts, you may be prone to stop doing that because pain is an aversive stimulus that tells you to withdraw. So if we could give people a little caffeine and reduce the amount of pain they're experiencing, maybe that would help them stick with that exercise”.

Employees Stepping up to Pedometer Fitness Challenge
theage.com.au (Australia) (March 30, 2009)
Now in its sixth year, Australia’s Global Corporate Challenge plans to attract 82,000 participants around the world when it starts in May. The GCC is a workplace exercise program to promote healthy habits. Teams of seven employees are equipped with pedometers to monitor the steps they take during the 125 days of the event.

Walking for Fitness: How to Trim your Waistline, Improve Your Health
Mayo Clinic.Com (March 28, 2009)
The Mayo Clinic reviews the health benefits of walking, including: how to get started with a walking program, the benefits of walking, how to get motivated and setting goals to track progress.

Getting In Step with Your Fitness Personality
Medical News Today (March 27, 2009)
Experts have identified five distinct personality types that exercisers can use to develop personalized lasting fitness regimens and recognize potential pitfalls. An example is the “Squares”, the most reliable, stable and predictable of the five personality types; they like to have a plan for nearly everything in their lives, and thrive on routine. Their potential pitfall is doing the same exercise routine for years; they tend to develop rigid schedules for themselves, and don't see progressive results because they hit plateaus.

Students Give up Wheels for their Own Two Feet
New York Times (March 26, 2009)
The first “walking-school bus” in Italy revs up in Lecco and joins the ranks of students walking to school for health worldwide. To encourage use, children receive fare cards that are punched each day. The bus routes have distinctive names (the one through the graveyard is the mortobus), and compete for prizes like pizza parties for the students.

Cost, Fatigue and Injury: Not Necessarily Reasons to Stop Exercising
Calorie Lab.com (March 25, 2009)
British researchers report that people who are already fatigued mentally become physically exhausted sooner than those who are mentally fresh. Moreover, this isn’t physiological, but psychological; the muscles are fine, it’s the head that’s tired and sore. Some pre-workout break time, relaxation or meditation might seriously improve your stamina.

The Biggest Winner
The Columbus Dispatch (March 23, 2009)
An Ohio man loses 365 pounds in two years through simple diet and exercise changes, such as walking. His exercise program was initially treadmill walking, then he added elliptical machine and outdoors walks of up to three miles.

Try Interval Walking For Better Fitness
The Patriot Ledger (March 21, 2009)
Interval training may be the most effective approach to increasing your walking speed. This is important as intensity may be the key to fitness improvement

Challenge Senses on Barefoot Walk
BBC (March 20, 2009)
A new attraction at a U.K. forest park takes you on walks on a variety of terrains such as leaves, pebbles, bark, sand, slate, water and mud, all barefoot. This is fun, and apparently also good for your feet and psyche.

National Walk to Work Day is April 3
P.R. Newswire (March 20, 2009)
Friday, April 3 is National Walk to Work Day. Endorsed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the sixth-annual event encourages Americans to turn their commute into an exercise opportunity.

Walking Can Improve Quality of Life
Macon County News (March 19, 2009)
The many benefits of walking are reviewed as is a perfect locale to do it. Western North Carolina is an area blessed with both beautiful scenery and an abundance of great walks.

Walking is Changing my Life, My Asics are Saving my Feet
Examiner.com (March 19, 2009)
A devoted walker with large and wide feet discusses the merits of walking shoes designed for his type of foot.

Walk 100 Steps a Minute for Moderate Exercise
U.S. News & World Report (March 17, 2009)
National guidelines urge all Americans to engage in "moderate physical activity" at least 2.5 hours a week, but many do not understand what “moderate physical activity “means. It's equivalent to a brisk walk, or about 1,000 steps every 10 minutes. The author of a recent study suggests that people use pedometers to figure out if they're exercising at a high enough intensity.

Living Near Green Spaces Leads to More Active Children
Medical News Today (March 14, 2009)
In a Canadian study, the presence of nearby parks was strongly associated with girls walking to school and boys engaging in leisure walking. For every additional park located within a half mile of their home, the likelihood of walking to school more than doubled among girls and leisure walking by boys increased by 60 percent.

State Urges Hunterdon County Kids: Walk to School
NJ.com (March 13, 2009)
Hunterdon County, N.J. will receive funding which is part of $4 million in grants for the Safe Routes to School programs that will build walkways and bikeways. "Providing kids and commuters with safe facilities to walk and ride their bikes can encourage mass transit use, improve quality of life and prevent childhood obesity," said N.J.’s Governor.

Provence: a Walking Holiday with a Carbon Neutral Agenda
Telegraph.co.uk (March 13, 2009)
A vacationer finds peace and quiet on a walking vacation in the hills of Provence in France.

Learning by Walking
News Press (March 12, 2009)
An Oklahoma medical center gives pedometers to local students to support the school’s wellness programs. A superintendent in the district also instituted a two-month, district-wide fitness challenge for teachers and staff to move more.

These Clogs are Made For Walking
Sustainable Life (March 12, 2009)
Laura O. Foster’s book, “Portland City Walks, Twenty Explorations in and Around Town,” explores neighborhoods or parts of town that no one else has done before.

Utah Tops Survey of Well-Being in U.S.
MedicineNet.com (March 11, 2009)
The Gallup polling organization released a state-by-state "well-being" survey - a look at how resident’s physical, mental, and emotional health. Access to exercise was one component. Utah scored the highest and regionally, the highest scores were in the West; the lowest were in the Midwest and the South.

Fitness Buzz: Walking To Stay Fit
azcentral.com (March 7, 2009)
An Arizona personal trainer says, “Ditch the gym. Walking is free, easy to do and right outside our door so just get up, get out and do it.” A 50-mile-a-month goal can be met with half-hour walks of 3,500 steps.

If Diets Don’t Work, What’s the Solution to Obesity in America?
U.S, News & World Report (March 6, 2009)
According to a the New England Journal of Medicine, it made no difference what kind of diet people followed; if they reduced calories, they initially lost weight. But after two years, average participants had regained weight. To keep weight off the environment needs to be conducive to exercise. Additionally, those who monitor their food and exercise through weigh-ins or food diaries are more successful.

The Simple Pleasures of Walking
Christian Science Monitor (March 6, 2009)
In this beautiful essay on the joys of walking, the author quotes a philosopher who said, "If you are seeking creative ideas, go out walking. Angels whisper to a man when he goes for a walk."

More Fast-Food Sites Equals Weight Gain
UPI.com (March 5, 2009)
An American Journal of Epidemiology study found neighborhoods with the highest amount of fast food outlets were associated with an increase of 3 pounds for residents. However, neighborhoods with high-walkability were associated with a decrease of 2.7 pounds among residents who increased their levels of physical activity.

Staying Fit Is a Challenge Worth Meeting, Wherever You May Be
Washington Post (March 3, 2009)
Departing Washington Post Fitness columnist imparts what he’s learned about fitness in two years on the job. He found that being out of shape and overweight is a simple result of eating in an unhealthy way and avoiding activity.

The Claim: Morning is the Best Time to Exercise
New York Times (March 2, 2009)
The ideal time of the day to exercise? Research suggests that it may be late afternoon, though the advantages are slight. Without a doubt, exercise at any time of the day beats no exercise at all.

South Carolina BlueCross to Celebrate Third Annual “Walk @ Lunch Day”
PR Newswire (March 2, 2009)
The third annual “National Walk @ Lunch Day” where companies encourage people to regularly walk for 30 minutes at lunch, will take place on Wednesday, April 29, 2009.

The Miracle Cure of Walking To Your Health
Examiner.com (February 28, 2009)
If you can walk, you have found your answer to optimal health. Walking is an exercise that needs no training, no equipment and no gym or spa membership.

Lifestyle Preferences Are Shifting
Chicago Sun-Times (February 27, 2009)
Gen Xers and Millennials want a lifestyle closer to 'Friends' and 'Seinfeld' that is walkable and urban, than to Tony Soprano, low density and suburban, according to Christopher Leinberger of the Brookings Institute.

Race Walking At 76
Manchester Hippo Press (February 26, 2009)
Fit 76-year-old man discusses his competitive race walking, his training and motivation.

It’s Frightful Outside. Let’s Walk
New York Times (February 25, 2009)
There is no shortage of data to support the notion that walking is imminently healthy as it helps you avoid obesity, diabetes and depression. However, winter’s chill may keep dedicated walkers indoors without the proper clothing. A tester who takes five mile walks reviews five lightweight but warm coats suited for winter walking.

But how are we going to get People Walking?
Wales Online.com (February 23, 2009)
More than half of Wales is either overweight or obese, while only a third of men and less than a quarter of women get the recommended amount of exercise. Their Assembly’s desire to increase the number of people walking or cycling to work and the number of schoolchildren walking to school is a response to this problem

Raisins and Walking—Smart Steps for Heart Health
Market Wire (February 23, 2009)
Eating raisins and walking may reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease in 50- to 70-year-old men and postmenopausal women, according to recently published research in the journal “Metabolism: Clinical and Experimental.” Researchers at the University of Connecticut found that walking and daily consumption of raisins decreased low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, so-called "bad cholesterol," levels in the blood stream.

A Tale of Two Towns: Life in America’s Fittest, Flabbiest Cities
Calorie Lab News.com (February 22, 2009)
Compare Burlington, VT, named America’s healthiest city and Huntington, W. VA., named America’s unhealthiest city by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Huntington, with its narrow roads and limitless fast food, ranks high in obesity and diabetes, where Burlington is filled with people who love to walk, bike and do other outdoor activities.

Citizens Encouraged to Walk Kansas
KSAL-TV (February 20, 2009)
Beginning in March, nearly all of Kansas' 105 counties are expected to participate in Walk Kansas, an inexpensive health and fitness program that encourages teams of six to exercise an amount equivalent to covering the distance of 423 miles across Kansas.

Schools Grant Encourages Walking, Biking
Business Gazette (February 19, 2009)
Thanks to a recently awarded federal “Safe Routes to School” grant, 49 schools in Frederick County, Maryland will encourage walking and biking to school with new crosswalks, sidewalks, walking maps, and other programs to promote a healthy lifestyle.

Great Workout, Forget the View
New York Times (February 18, 2009)
Despite the lack of a view, when stairs are an exercise option, they provide a workout that returns maximum value in minimum time, with low impact, says Dr. Cedric Bryant, chief science officer for the American Council on Exercise.

An Economic Exercise, Walking the Walk
Examiner.com (February 17, 2008)
There are many free and cheaper alternatives to fancier and more expensive exercise options. Walking is one, and ten great reasons to walk are reviewed. They include getting closer to your community, clearing your head, and of course, sculpting your body.

Walking Meditation
Jamaica Observer (February 16, 2009)
When we are angry, frustrated or stressed, a walking meditation can help calm and settle an agitated mind, help us to relax and build strength and stamina.

Walking For Health Gives Look behind the Scenes
Times-Union.com (February 14, 2009)
A dedicated walker says that when winter’s snow and ice arrive, mall walking is a great option. The early morning activities throughout the mall provide an interesting diversion and keep the walk from becoming routine.

MYActivity Pyramid Created by MU Fitness Expert to Helps Adults Exercise
Medical News Today (February 14, 2009)
The MyActivity Pyramid, a new fitness guide developed at the University of Missouri provides physical activity recommendations for adults in a fun and easy-to-understand format. It offers a visual representation of the new physical activity guidelines from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and is modeled after the Department of Agriculture’s food guide pyramid.

To download a copy of the MyActivity Pyramid: http://www.extension.missouri.edu/explore/hesguide/foodnut/n00388.htm.

The 2008 federal guidelines on physical activity for adults: http://www.health.gov/PAGuidelines.

How Walking Can Cut Your Risk of Colon Cancer by 25 per cent
China Daily (February 12, 2009)
Regular exercise can cut your risk of colon cancer by 25 percent. Even walking reduces the likelihood of developing one of the most common cancers, according to a review of 52 studies from the past 25 years.

Nordic Walking is the Way Forward
Telegraph.co.uk (February 11, 2009)
In Germany and Switzerland, health insurers subsidize and give discounts to Nordic walkers, recognizing its huge health benefits. Hills, mountains and moors might sound daunting but Nordic poles make even tough and slippery terrain manageable. Nordic walking makes people feel lighter on their feet.

Walk to School Day Encourages Safety, Fitness
WOTW.com (February 10, 2009)
Parents, educators and community leaders are encouraged to celebrate Nebraska’s 2009 Spring Walk to School Day by organizing an event in their community where schoolchildren can meet to walk together along safe routes. The statewide Spring Walk to School Day takes place Wednesday, April 22.

How Much Exercise Do We Need?
Health News Digest.com (February 8, 2009)
The National Institute of Medicine guidelines include walking almost everyday. The additional guidelines issued by The American Heart Association and The American College of Sports Medicine, are more extensive. The bottom line is the more you move, take stairs instead of the elevator, walk instead of drive, the healthier you’ll be.

Study: Women Step up Their Walking when it's Warm Outside
USA Today (February 4, 2009)
According to a study reported in February's Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, when a study group of women received encouragement to exercise, they kept their activity level up and walked fairly consistently all year long. They did so even in cold weather in January and March, although their steps dropped a little in February.

It's Easy Being Green: Top Cities to Leave Your Car at Home
Center for American Progress (February 4, 2009)
Several websites evaluate cities on “green” criteria. According to one resource, the top five U.S. cities for city walk/bike commute rate are: Boston, Washington, DC, San Francisco, New York, and Seattle. Portland and Chicago receive high marks specifically for walkability.

It’s never too late to Enjoy Benefits of a Well-Rounded Exercise Program
Newswise (February 3, 2009)
According to a Special Report on Lifelong Exercise, a supplement to the February issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter, age can exact a toll on the body as muscles weaken and bones become more brittle. But a well-rounded fitness program with five components -- aerobics, strength training, core stability, balance and flexibility -- can help counter the effects of aging. Regular aerobic activity such as walking, biking, dancing is an important component.

Exercise Can Begin at 40, Just be Sure to Exercise a Little Caution
USA Today (February 1, 2009)
An orthopedic surgeon and author of the book “Fitness after 40: How to Stay Strong at Any Age” says one of the greatest barriers to exercise in those over 40 is "couch addiction”. She also says the biggest mistake older exercisers make is “The terrible toos: too much, too soon, too often … the biggest mistake is not to investigate a safer way to exercise.”

Seniors Who Exercise Help Their Health
Washington Post (January 30, 2009)
According to a study in the current issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine, sedentary seniors can improve their motor function and decrease their risk for insulin resistance by starting an exercise program that includes both aerobics and resistance training. According to the study’s co-author, the optimal training formula would be comprised of 90 minutes of simple aerobics -- such as walking -- alongside 60 minutes of resistance exercise.

Physically Fit Kids Do Better In School
Science Daily (January 30, 2009)
A new study in the Journal of School Health found that there is a significant relationship between students’ academic achievement and physical fitness. The study’s authors conclude, “For families and schools, these results suggest investments of time and resources in physical activity and fitness training may not detract from academic achievement in core subjects, and, may even be beneficial”.

Walk Your Way through Life
Medfinds.Com (January 29, 2009)
A new study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition concludes, “Walking through adulthood may attenuate the long-term weight gain that occurs in most adults.” The researchers found that the more people walked, the less weight they gained over the years.

Resource: Picturing Smart Growth
WorldChanging.com (January 27, 2009)
A new tool from the Natural Resources Defense Council called ”Picturing Smart Growth” allows users to watch the "before" "during" and "after" scenes unfold as actual American neighborhoods transition from bland suburban development to inviting, walkable streetscapes. Advocates of smart growth promote the idea of compact cities that are walkable.

Reshod Shoes for Faster Walking
Portland Examiner (January 27, 2009)
A racewalker rebuilds walking shoes that are appropriate for fitness walkers as well as competitors. They have rocker soles with many advantages for walkers, as they enforce using all of the walking muscles for a powerful stride. Fitness walkers can walk faster and racewalkers have an edge in competition

Local Man Celebrates a Century; Still Walks More Than a Mile a Day
News & Tribune.com (January 24, 2009)
An Indiana man reaches 100 years old by staying fit. He walks more than a mile a day and stationery bikes 20-30 minutes each evening.

Top 10 Coastal Walks
Telegraph.com.uk (January 24, 2009)
For those traveling in the U.K., the Ramblers Associations offers their top ten coastal walks.

Mayor Appoints New Position to Advocate for Walking, Biking
Nashville City Paper (January 22, 2009)
The Mayor of Nashville, Tennessee wants to transform it into one of the most walkable and bikeable cities in the country. To that end, he has appointed a new person in his administration to oversee policy issues related to walking and bicycling in Nashville.

Pedometers Aid Healthy Walking
Guardian.com.uk (January 20, 2009)
Using a pedometer to measure how much you walk can increase the amount of walking you do. The best results were achieved by people who were given a goal of walking 10,000 steps a day, and who used a diary to record their daily total.

Aerobic Exercise!
Health News Digest.com (January 18, 2009)
This article reviews the medical benefits provided by aerobic exercise such as fast walking. They include weight control, increased endurance, and hormonal regulation and enhanced immune function.

Key to a Healthy Lifestyles is in the Mind
Science Daily (January 18, 2009)
According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, the main factors influencing the amount of physical exercise people carry out are their self-perceived ability and the extent of their desire to exercise. Their findings highlight the need for health promotion programs to enhance people's confidence and motivation.

Protect Your Brain -- Take a Walk
Examiner.com (January 14, 2009)
A new study which looked at the damage diabetes inflicts on the brain underscores the importance of taking some simple steps (literally) to prevent this disease. This study found that people who were at high risk for the disease, lowered that risk significantly by achieving two goals -- losing 5-10 percent of their body weight and engaging in moderate exercise (such as brisk walking), five times a week.

Make Small Changes for Big Rewards Recommends ASN President
Medical News Today (January 14, 2009)
Small changes can lead to big rewards, such as maintaining a healthy weight, the American Society for Nutrition (ASN) describes in a recent report. The article, to be published in the February issue of The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition outlines some examples of relevant small changes, which include taking the stairs instead of the elevator and walking an extra 2,000 steps a day.

How Far are you Really Walking in the Mall?
Examiner.com (January 14, 2009)
The distance around Oregon malls are outlined for mall walkers. In addition, tips to maximize your steps and minimize your nibbles, are offered for mall walkers in any state.

Health Tip: Walking for Exercise
U.S. News & World Report (January 14, 2009)
Walking is a great form of daily exercise that can help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons offers suggestions to help you establish a walking-for-exercise program.

Winter Walking Safety Ideas
ABC4 (January 13, 2009)
The Utah Department of Transportation urges students to continue walking to school, and safely, during the winter months. Their program provides tools to help educators promote walking as a healthy activity even during the winter months.

Older Women Who Are More Physically Fit Have Better Cognitive Function
Medical News Today (January 11, 2009)
New research published in the international journal Neurobiology of Aging finds that being physically fit helps the brain function at the top of its game. “The take home message from our research is that basic fitness - something as simple as getting out for a walk every day - is critical to staying mentally sharp and remaining healthy as we age," says the study’s author a scientist from the University of Calgary.

A Set of Weights, a Pair of Shoes, and Wow
USA Today (January 8, 2009)
Diane Reuter lost 90 pounds just walking and cutting calories. "It didn't cost me anything but a pair of walking shoes," she says. To prevent weight-loss plateaus, she steadily increased either the speed or length of her walks and worked up to 50 minutes of brisk walking six or seven days a week.

Walk to Ward off Age-Related Weight Gain
Web MD (January 5, 2009)
A new study suggests that the more you walk, the less likely you'll gain weight as you age. Walking as little as half an hour a day may keep the extra pounds from adding up as you get older. The results appear in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Run for the Body, Walk for the Brain
Erie Times News (January 5, 2009)
Recent studies are reviewed, covering the beneficial effects on the brain of walking.

Health Advice: 50 Ways to Boost Your Wellbeing
Telegraph.co.uk (January 5, 2009)
50 ways to wellbeing include several which pertain to walking for health: mall walking, Nordic Pole walking, gorge walking and walking “in areas of outstanding natural beauty”.

Take a Walk, OV Couple Urges
Explorer News (January 5, 2009)
A couple who are local health activists, find walking the key to many health concerns. The husband, who lost 20 pounds, credits it to walking and portion control. According to his wife, “as a time for talking, sharing experiences and being together without distraction, walking is one of the most important things for marriage.”

Hold the Doughnuts and Take Your Walk to Work
San Francisco Chronicle.com (January 4, 2009)
Inspired by the Mayo Clinic’s Dr. James Levine’s’ walking treadmill, the Healthy Living Support Network in suburban Buffalo, NY, rents out their walking conference room where everyone is walking on treadmills or elliptical machines. In Minneapolis, a professional staffing firm, Salo, has installed two walking conference rooms where one of the company’s executives lost 25 pounds in six months.

Denizen of the Corporate World Steps Away for a Walk down California's Coast
Dallas News.com (January 4, 2009)
Ron Forseth takes a time out from ten years in the corporate world by making a 130-mile solo trek along central California's Highway 1 and the spectacular Big Sur coast.

Winter Workouts Are Cool
The Washington Post (January 4, 2009)
The National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) offers tips on how to stay active and safe during cold weather workouts, including how to stretch and how to dress. However, if you find outdoor exercise too tough in the winter, head to a mall for a brisk walk.

Walk Into the New Year with a Fitness Goal
The Eagle Tribune Online (January 2, 2009)
Walking is one of the easiest and best all-around exercises and has the lowest rate of exercise-related injury. You don't have to join a club or buy expensive equipment. The one recommended investment is a comfortable, well-constructed, proper-fitting pair of walking shoes.

Does Exercise Really Make Your Healthier?
Scientific American (January 2, 2009)
Five claims about the benefits of exercise are examined. The bottom line: the bulk of research suggests that workouts make us physically and perhaps mentally healthier.

Fitness: One Cheap Step at a Time
UPI (January 1, 2009)
Dr. Melina Jampolis, author of the book, "The No-Time-to-Lose-Diet," says walking is an effective way to get fit. For a little extra motivation, find a walking group in your community and keep a small but accurate pedometer to monitor your progress, she recommends.