Dropping those Last Few Pounds
Wall Street Journal (December 31, 2009)
According to Ian Smith, a medical and diet expert on shows such as "Celebrity Fit Club" and the author of weight-loss books, the key to losing weight is change. Keep both your diet and your exercise plan varied.

Google City Tours Creates Custom Walking Maps
Venture Beat (December 29, 2009)
A Google application that builds walkable tours of city (or country) areas has been significantly upgraded to make it much easier to use. Google City Tours is one of the in-progress projects on Google Labs.

December 29 is the Day we Feel Guiltiest about Our Indulgences
Telegraph. co. (U.K.) (December 29, 2009)
A study finds that people feel the worst about themselves and their fitness on December 29, four days after Christmas and three days before New Year.  It is also the day that millions decide on a New Year's resolution – whether it is giving up cigarettes, alcohol or fatty food or joining a gym and getting fit. Exercise is the perfect antidote to those feelings of remorse.

Walk Like You Mean It
Pasadena Star News (December 28, 2009)
A California resident finds that the streets of New York City offer an amazing physical workout. She says, “You just show up whenever you want and do…the very best all-around exercise workout: power walking …Those New Yorkers know how to walk. They walk many blocks, even miles, to and from work.”

Here’s what you need to know Before Making Those New Year’s Resolutions
Gaston Gazette (December 28, 2009)
According to Health Net, 100-million Americans make New Year’s resolutions, most of which focus on health goals such as working out or losing weight. However, about four out of every five people who make resolutions fail to keep them. Setting attainable and realistic goals is the key to make sure your New Year’s fitness goals don’t fail.

When it’s Cold Outside, Don’t Freeze Your Fitness Routine
Dallas News (December 28, 2009)
When it’s cold outside, you can embrace the elements while staying active, with the right preparation.    General tips for cold weather workouts include: wear non-cotton fabrics which will repel moisture, cover your ears, allow extra warm up time and drink plenty of water or electrolyte drinks.

Motivation Tips Offered to Achieve Fitness
Official Wire.com (December 27, 2009)
Some New Year’s resolutions from health and fitness experts include:$0$0once a month, sign up for a race such as a 5K walk to keep you motivated; and find a buddy to help keep you on track.

Santa Claus at Risk? Unhealthy Lifestyle, Unreasonable Working Conditions, and Stress
Science Daily (December 24, 2009)
Researchers at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden doubt the existence of Santa Claus due to his unhealthy lifestyle, unreasonable working conditions, and work stress.  Santa's obvious abdominal obesity and deep red facial complexion are convincing indicators that the man is at risk for both heart attack and stroke.

Can Touching your Toes Test your Arteries?
New York Times (December 23, 2009)
There may be a novel way to test at least one element of your heart’s health  in your own home, right in the middle of the holidays. This one exercise may test the flexibility of your arteries. Researchers found was a clear correlation between inflexible bodies and inflexible arteries in subjects older than 40.

Children’s Fitness Declining Across the World, Study Finds
Guardian.co.uk (December 22, 2009)
According to sports and exercise specialists, there is a frightening global phenomenon. Even those children who are not overeating are horribly inactive and may pay the price in terms of their future health.  In England, one expert attributes much of the problems to children’s time in front of computer and TV screens.

Burn Off Christmas with a Walk
BBC.com (December 22, 2009)
The British Department of Health has teamed up with the Ramblers (a walking organization) to promote Christmas Day walking.   The Public Health Minister said: "Whatever the weather, a traditional festive walk is a great way for families and friends to avoid that sluggish feeling and have a more active Christmas.”

How we Got Fit This Year
Metro International (December 21, 2009)
The American public is never without the need for a new diet or exercise regime that promises to be the solution for dropping a few pounds.  This article looks at some of the year’s biggest trends, which include slim-down footwear.

Secret to Losing Weight: Just Keep Moving
The (Galveston) Daily News (December 20, 2009)
“People make it (exercise) too complicated and just don’t get started”, says a personal trainer. “You don’t need a gym membership or a personal trainer to get fit,” he added.   “Set goals you can achieve,” he said. “Have an honest assessment of what you can do…  Once (those) goals are set, you must make changes in your life to reach those goals.”


To Stick to Your Budget- the Envelope Please
Miami Herald (December 20, 2009)
People say services for fiscal fitness rate above services for physical fitness when making their New Year's resolutions, according to a survey.  But when asked what resolution for 2010 they are most likely to keep, more people said they would stick to a diet and exercise plan than would manage their money better.


Walk Your Way to Fitness
Times Online (December 19, 2009)
Walking is now England’s favorite fitness activity, according to a survey which shows that one fifth of their adult population regularly heads out for a walk of 30 minutes or longer. “Natural England” now holds almost 600 “walk for health” groups around the country, designed to get inactive people walking. It also provides details of the National Step-O-Meter programme, (www.naturalengland.org.uk).


I’m Just Not an Exercise Person
Miami’s Community Newspapers (December 18, 2009)
“I’m just not an exercise person,” is negative thinking which can keep you from starting on a fitness program that can change your life.   You become an exercise person by starting and doing it, because you know that the payoff of a healthy fit body that looks good and feels even better.

Vary Intensity of Workouts for Maximum Benefits
St. Petersburg Times (December 18, 2009)
Elite athletes have used interval training for decades, but in recent years, weekend warriors have begun to enjoy the benefits of this exercise system as well. For the jogger or walker, it may be as simple as alternating two blocks easy, the next rapid.   As you become more proficient, you may need additional tools to fine-tune your workouts, such as a heart rate monitor.

Obesity, Inactivity Keeping Heart Health Stats Down
U.S. News & World Report (December 17, 2009)
According to the American Heart Association, too many Americans are ignoring the basic rules for preventing heart attacks.  Topping the list is too little exercise, too much weight.  Even in the younger group studied, the incidence of obesity, inactivity, smoking, is rising.

Slow-burn exercises promote fitness by making the most of brief workouts
Washington Post (December 17, 2009)
Slow-burn exercise, brief but intense, is getting buzz in the exercise world. An exercise physiologist for the American Council on Exercise, says he wouldn’t recommend this program to most as it can't really be done on your own. It also isn't "functional" which means that it isn’t the kind of exercise that prepares you for daily life.

Reducing TV Time Helps Adults Burn More Calories Study Finds
Science Daily (December 15, 2009)
Adults who used an electronic lock-out system to reduce their television time by half, expended more energy over a three-week period.   Adults reducing TV time allows for more active endeavors, and may also help alleviate chronic sleep deprivation, potentially linked to obesity.

It’s Easier to Resist “Killer Cookies”
Medical News Today (December 15, 2009)
Researchers studied techniques that enable us to resist food temptation. Several experiments show that when consumers encounter temptations that conflict with their goals, one self-control mechanism is to exaggerate the negativity of the temptation. That means seeing the cookie as dangerous.


Amid Holiday Stress Take a Minute to Stretch
Washington Post (December 15, 2009)
Exercise has been shown to boost your energy, perk up your mood, and help you sleep. Most importantly, it can help relieve stress this time of year.  When you don't have time for anything else, a good stretch can go a long way toward making you feel better.


Health-Related Books
Los Angeles Times (December 14, 2009)
Health-related books can make great gifts. Two new books that L.A. Times editors like:   “Don't Swallow Your Gum -Myths, Half-Truths, and Outright Lies about Your Body and Health," and “The Healing of America."


The Best Walking Partner: Man Vs. Dog
New York Times (December 14, 2009)
People who walk dogs are more consistent about regular exercise and show more improvement in fitness than people who walk with a human companion. The dog walkers showed a big improvement in fitness, while the human walkers began making excuses to skip the workout.


Fad Diets May Worsen Obesity
Herald Sun.com (December 13, 2009)
Most dieters will try just about anything to lose weight except follow a sensible eating and exercise plan, according to a recent survey by the British Society of Gastroenterology. Many jump on the bandwagon of celebrity fad diets. These may do more harm than good, with doctors saying they may actually be fuelling the current global obesity crisis.


Eating Smart is all in Your Mind
Washington Post (December 10, 2009)
This holiday season, use mindfulness to help you control your eating and feel satisfied.  Mindfulness involves slowing down to savor all of life's details, to notice small things and appreciate every sensation. As applied to eating, mindfulness offers a means of making the most of every calorie. 

Bloomberg calls for 100 Trainers to Help New Yorkers Get Fit
New York Post (December 8, 2009)
New York City’s Mayor Bloomberg has requested 100 professional fitness instructors to help New Yorkers get fit for free.  The volunteers would supplement paid fitness instructors already providing free exercise classes to 1,600 people a week at 15 recreation centers in some of the city's poorest neighborhoods.

Firm Body, No Workout Required?
New York Times (December 7, 2009)
Do the new muscle –activating walking shoes really tone your leg muscles?  While the jury is out,  there may be another effect-- wearing these shoes may cause you to walk more briskly and with purpose.  According to an expert, “It will probably result in even more walking, with the implicit and explicit virtues endemic to exercise.”

Grammy Award nominee Beyonce and her Fitness Workout
Examiner.com (December 3, 2009)
Beyonce says she works out fives times a week and does a combination of resistance training and cardio during her intense workouts. Beyonce's diet: lean protein, such as fish and chicken, and lots of fresh vegetables.

Fruit Flies Can Shed Light on High Cholesterol, Obesity in Humans
Medical News Today (December 3, 2009)
Fruit flies use the same mechanisms as humans to help maintain proper balances of cholesterol and a key form of stored fat, according to two new studies.  By eating a diet too rich in fats, fruit flies become obese in the same way as humans.

For Exercise Lovers, These Gifts are a Perfect Fit
Washington Post (December 3, 2009)
Give the give of health with exercise gear such as breathable trekking shoes, long johns for chilly walks, a hula hoop like Michelle Obama’s, and more. 

Kim Kardashian: Too Skinny?
The Plastic Surgery Channel (December 2, 2009)
Reality star Kim Kardashian looks too thin and fans speculate that she may have lost too much weight in her new diet plan.

More Clues on How Exercise Can Protect Against Diseases of Aging
U.S. News & World Report (December 1, 2009)
A new study shows that the white blood cells of endurance athletes had the qualities of younger cells. "Younger" white blood cells may be able to more efficiently clear out both abnormal cells that may progress to cancer and the plaques implicated in heart disease. So, this study may explain how exercise can protect against these two killers. 

Walking into the Earth’s Heart: The Grand Canyon
The New York Times (November 29, 2009)
Winter may be the best time to go hiking in the Grand Canyon.  The temperature is cool and the crowds are gone.

World Entertainment Celebrities Flocking to Yoga
Entertainment Daily (November 29, 2009)
Female celebrities are flocking to yoga to obtain sleek physiques.  MTV Award winner Carmen Electra,  BAFTA winner Thandie Newton (Crash), and actress Rebecca Gayheart are among its fans.  Celebrity interest in yoga has fueled its growth, and approximately 15 million Americans now do yoga.

Doggone It! Walking The Dog is Exercising
UPI (November 27, 2009)
The average British dog owner gets more of a workout walking his dog than someone with a gym membership.  One reason: Going to a gym might seem like a chore while walking the dog could be considered relaxation.

Measure for Measure, a Way to Cut Calories
Washington Post (November 26, 2009)
America's weight problem may stem not from eating the wrong foods but from eating too much.  A seemingly simple change (smaller plate size) forces us to pay attention to how much we're putting on our plates and in our mouths.

Posh Voted Most Unhealthy Role Model
Heat World (November 24, 2009)
Fitness experts voted Victoria Beckham the most unhealthy role model in the past 50 years. "I think she has taken calorie restriction to new extremes,” says one personal trainer. “Her size is achieved by lack of nutrients and too much exercising. She is a poor role model."

Exploring a Low- Acid Diet for Bone Health
New York Times (November 24, 2009)
Some say a diet rich in fruits and vegetables but low in acid-producing protein and moderate in cereal grains, could lead to stronger bones. Making that change could positively impact some of the medical problems associated with old age.

Really- The Claim- Vinegar can Help Blood Sugar Levels
New York Times (November 24, 2009)
Several studies have revealed one possible way to reduce the impact of Thanksgiving carbs: add a little vinegar. Doing so seems to help slow the absorption of sugar from a meal into the bloodstream.

Fad Diets Make the Obesity Crisis Worse
That’s Fit.com (November 23, 2009)
Doctors now warn that celebrity diets (such as the grapefruit diet, lemonade diet and cabbage diet) are contributing to the obesity epidemic.  In the end, crash diets will only cause you to crash and burn. Eating less and exercising more are the only tried and true methods.

Check your Health: 10 Common Exercise Myths
Connect2utah.com (November 20, 2009)
Does exercising in the morning help you burn calories all day? Should you stretch before exercising? These myths and other are discussed to help you understand that separating exercise myth from exercise fact will help you achieve your goals. 

Test Your Fitness IQ with These Myths, Facts
health.mync.com (November 18, 2009)
What if you learned that you could lose weight and keep it off if you improved your fitness IQ? Arming yourself with the truth about health and fitness can give you the most important tools. For example, one common misconception is that you should eat less than 1,200 calories a day to lose weight.

Why Exercise Makes you Less Anxious
New York Times (November 18, 2009)
Scientists are beginning to understand how exercise remodels the brain, making it more resistant to stress. The biochemical changes begin with exercise and eventually become “profound."

Traveling by Walking or Riding a Gift
Times Bulletin (November 15, 2009)
Walking need not be the forgotten art of our ancestors.  Walking, whether in rain, snow or sleet and wind, is exhilarating and can refresh your mind and body.  You can enjoy the seasons and all the shows that nature provides.

Safely Walkable
NewsObserver.com (November 14, 2009)
According to Transportation for America, a Washington coalition that advocates making roads safer for walkers and cyclists,   Raleigh-Durham area is the country’s sixth most dangerous for pedestrians. Fortunately, Raleigh's new comprehensive plan is more conscious of walkers' needs.  “Walkable neighborhoods" needs to be more than an empty slogan. And to be walkable has to mean safe.

Exercising to End of Pregnancy is Healthy for Baby and Mother, New Study Suggests
Science Daily (November 13, 2009)
Contrary to more conservative customs, exercising up to the end of pregnancy has no harmful effect on the weight or size of the fetus, new research suggests. This is according to a study carried out by researchers of the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, which showed that low-level physical activity has beneficial effects on maternal-fetal health.

The Safest Cities for Walking To Work
U.S. News & World Report (November 13, 2009)
Transportation for America has issued a report on the safety and walkability of America's biggest cities, and some of their findings are not positive. The good news is that many of the cities on this commuter-friendly list are not only convenient for those without cars, but also safe for pedestrians. Minneapolis and Boston/Cambridge are tops for pedestrians.

Wearing a Pedometer Can Be a Big Step in the Weight-Loss Battle
Washington Post (November 12, 2009)
What if there was a small, inexpensive device that was proven to boost your fitness, help you lose weight and lower your blood pressure? It’s a simple pedometer. A senior research scientist at Stanford analyzed 26 studies of pedometer use and found clear evidence that people who have them get more exercise, lose weight and lower their blood pressure. In fact, the decrease in blood pressure was equivalent to results achieved through much more expensive interventions.

Chocolate Soothes the Stressed-out Soul
Medicine.net (November 12, 2009)
Feeling stressed? A dose of dark chocolate could cheer you right up by lowering your stress hormone levels, according to a new study by Swiss researchers.

Good News for Pedestrians in Harrisonburg
WHSV (November 10, 2009)
A recent study shows that Harrisonburg might be the safest metropolitan area in Virginia for pedestrians.  The study, by the Surface Transportation Policy Partnership, a nationwide coalition working to ensure safer communities and smarter transportation choices, looked at pedestrian deaths compared to the percentage of people walking to work. "It's pretty good to know that we are on our way to building a more walkable community," said a local Public Works Planner.

Lufkin Students Walk it off
KTRE 9 (November 9, 2009)
To put a stop to the increasing waistbands, a local  hospital and middle school launched a walking program called "Walk the Earth”. This program will have students and teachers competing to walk the farthest distance, with a total combined goal of walking around the earth at the equator – approximately 24,900 miles.

How Walkable is Your Street? Find out Here
Dallas Transportation Blog (November 9, 2009)
The T4American group released a new report measuring the pedestrian safety in each city. Dallas ranks as the 13th most dangerous city for pedestrians in America. (Houston ranks higher, as in more dangerous, at 8th).

Fitness When the Weather Outside is Frightful
Reuters (November 9, 2009)
The average American gains eight pounds over the holidays. A spokesman for the American Council on Exercise said, “(Another) option is to go to malls, or other areas with controlled climates, and use that to walk, stay fit without a health club membership. Of course, stay away from the food court…and leave the wallet at home."

Autumn Walking Weekends
The Guardian.com (U.K.) (November 8, 2009)
Experts from eight of Britain's National Parks detail their top choices for a November walk.

Moderate Exercise May Lower Prostate Cancer Risk
Reuters (November 6, 2009)
According to a study in the current issue of Journal of Urology, men who regularly get moderate exercise may have a lower risk of developing prostate cancer - including aggressive, fast-growing tumors. "If you need one more reason to exercise, this could be one," said a senior researcher at Duke University Prostate Center.

10,000 Steps to Fitness
WGEM (November 6, 2009)
Outlining how to achieve 10,000 walking steps, this article reminds us to look for opportunities to move throughout our day. Instead of e-mailing your co-worker, go over to that person's cubicle. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Park your car farther away. During television commercials, do minor chores around the house.

Simple Steps Get Walkers Moving
U.S. News & World Report (November 6, 2009)
According to a new study in the American Journal of Public Health, simple measures such as starting a walking group or creating pedestrian-friendly routes can encourage people to walk more. In a test area in Seattle, researchers implemented several such interventions to increase residents' walking. Afterwards, walking increased from 65 minutes to 108 minutes a day.

Now’s the Time to fall into Outdoor Activities
The Washington Post (November 5, 2009)
With vivid colors on the trees and cooling temperatures, fall is a spectacular season for being active outdoors. This article recommends you try surfing, rock climbing, biking or hiking. To gear up for hiking, practice walking up hills and steps around your neighborhood ,and gradually add weight to a backpack to build leg strength and stamina. Knees are most vulnerable, so do lunges and squats, to give you an easier time with stability.

Walking is a Great Start to Keeping Fit during the Holidays
Victoria Advocate (November 2, 2009)
Exercise and good eating habits are among the first casualties of the holiday season unless you begin it with a plan. This holiday season, carve out the time necessary to achieve your fitness goals, and plan exercise into your day. Treat it as an appointment that can't be missed. It is an investment in your health and needs to be a high priority in your life.

Depression Linked to Processed Food
BBC (November 2, 2009)
In a U.K. study reported in the British Journal of Psychiatry, eating a diet high in processed food increases the risk of depression. What’s more, people who ate plenty of vegetables, fruit and fish actually had a lower risk of depression. The study was the first to look at link between diet and depression in the U.K.

Links between City Walkability and Air Pollution Exposure Revealed
Science Daily (November 2, 2009)
A new study compared a neighborhoods' walkability with local levels of air pollution, and found that some neighborhoods might be good for walking, but have poor air quality. The study, done for the city of Vancouver, British Columbia, is the first of its kind to compare the two environmental attributes, and suggests potential environmental health effects of neighborhood location, layout and design for cities around the globe. Urban design should address air quality in consideration of walkable neighborhoods.

Four Ways to Eat through the Holidays and Still Button Your Pants
MSN Health (November 1, 2009)
In the busy holiday season, if you have trouble squeezing a regular workout, do 10-minute bursts of activity when you can. For example, when going to the mall for holiday shopping, take the stairs instead of the escalator, and park at the far end of the parking lot. Got 10 minutes while dinner is cooking? Put on your favorite fast music and dance like a maniac. Need a stress break at work? Walk around the building two or three times.

Five Great Walking Adventures
Guardian.co.uk (November 1, 2009)
Nepal, Turkey, Italy, Mexico and Spain can all be navigated on foot on organized treks, offered through trekking companies based in the U.K. These treks also make for great active vacations.

Can Americans Change their Taste for the Sweet and Salty?
U.S. News & World Report (October 30, 2009)
The American Heart Association says Americans consume too much sugar and the Centers for Disease Control says Americans consume too much salt. Nutrition experts at the Harvard School of Public Health say we need to address what we drink, as even diet beverages set up a craving for sweets. As to salt, we need to address the sodium levels in processed foods.

Pushing Fresh Produce Instead of Cookies at the Corner Market
New York Times (October 30, 2009)
Until recently, small corner grocery stores were seen by public health officials as part of the obesity problem. The stores offered convenience, but the accent was on snack chips, canned goods and sugary drinks. Now, because they are often the sole source of groceries in some areas, the stores are becoming linchpins in public health campaigns. Store owners in many large U.S. cities are being approached by public health organizations with offers of new equipment, marketing expertise or neighborhood promotions to encourage them to stock more fresh and healthy foods.

Fitness Levels Decline with Age, Especially after 45
Science Daily.com (October 30, 2009)
Men and women become gradually less fit with age, with declines accelerating after age 45, according to a report in current issue of Archives of Internal Medicine. However, maintaining a healthy body mass index (BMI), not smoking and being physically active are all associated with higher fitness levels throughout adult life.

Is Stretching Before a Workout Beneficial, or is that a Reach?
Washington Post (October 29, 2009)
Research indicates that warming up before exercise is more valuable than stretching. The Centers for Disease Control has studied stretching before exercising. They still question who should stretch, when to stretch, how much to stretch and, most important, what benefits can be expected.

Avid Proponents of Walkability want to “get there from here”
San Antonio Express (October 29, 2009)
San Antonio area residents took part in a recent Walkable Community Workshop. The workshop is a good example of community members sharing ideas that could lead to expanding walkable and bikeable connections to keep pedestrians and bike riders safe and healthy.

Tips to Get Your Family Eating Healthy and Being Active
Chicago Tribune (October 29, 2009)
A reporter/ mom suggests some terrific but easy strategies to help your family stay healthy. One is to have a regular weekend nature walk. Another is to keep cut fruits and vegetables out on the counter.

Senior Exercising: It’s never too late to Start
Chicago Tribune (October 26, 2009)
A couple in their 80s with significant medical problems started exercising, including walking in the park, and found it helped their strength and balance. What aided them can help any seniors, no matter their age or frailty. "All of the studies done so far indicate that it's never too late to start exercising, and any amount of exercise is beneficial," said the associate dean of the School of Gerontology at the University of Southern California.

Don’t Throw out Pumpkin Goodness
UPI.Com (October 26, 2009)
At pumpkin carving time, its better to eat, rather than throw out, the meat and seeds of the pumpkin. A dietitian at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center noted that the pumpkin is a great source of vitamins A and C as well as potassium. The seeds, she said, are high in fiber, vitamin B-12 and polyunsaturated fatty acids -- the so-called good fats.

Brisk Walk Can Help Leave Common Cold Behind
ajc.com (Atlanta Journal Constitution) (October 25, 2009)
Exercise might be the key to avoiding winter colds. A representative of The American College of Sports Medicine says that studies have shown that people who exercise at least 45 minutes four or more days a week take 25 to 50 percent less time off from work because of illness. He also said, "This reduction in illness far exceeds anything a drug or pill can offer…All it takes is a pair of walking shoes to help prevent becoming one of the thousands predicted to suffer from the common cold this winter."

Seaside to City Streets, R.I. is Big on Walking Trails
Boston Globe.com (October 25, 2009)
Rhode Island is a small state custom-made, it would seem, for walking, by the ocean, through the countryside, or down city streets. There are terrific walks all over the state and 10 great ones are outlined in this article.

Cocoa in Chocolate May be Good for the Heart
MedicineNet.com (October 23, 2009)
A study published in the November issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed cocoa is good for the heart. Spanish researchers found that a test group who drank cocoa-flavored milk had lower levels of inflammatory markers associated with heart disease than those drinking the milk alone. That result was critical because the participants were at high risk of cardiovascular disease because they had diabetes and three or more risk factors for heart disease.

Walk Down Mother Lode Main Street
Merced Sun- Star (October 22, 2009)
Murphys is the perfect California town to leave your car and “wine walk”. You can taste wine, read menus, and shop for antiques. It's good exercise, it's safer than driving and you can read interesting restaurant menus along the way.

Walk to School Month Brings Awareness to the Valley
ABC 15.com (October 22, 2009)
Arizona is a state committed to Walk to School Month, as more than 122 events are happening this month in more than 20 Arizona cities. Many schools are hosting walking events or "fun runs" during the month, and are wearing bracelets in support of the Safe Routes to School program.

The 10 Healthiest Cities for Women
MSN Health & Fitness (October 21, 2009)
MSN Health put together an expert panel with BestPlaces.net, and analyzed 100 metro areas to find the 10 top spots for women. Most of the places that came out on top citied walkability as a key component.

Cheap Exercise Available for Seniors
The Press Enterprise (October 20, 2009)
There are plenty of ways seniors can exercise without spending a lot of money. "The cheapest thing you can do is walking," said the director of the Riverside (CA) County Office on Aging. He added, "A lot of seniors walk the malls. That's great exercise." He noted there is a direct correlation between exercise and fall prevention. Seniors who don't exercise are at higher risk for falling.

Walking With Shelter Dogs Better Than Friends for Seniors
USA Today (October 20, 2009)
Seniors benefit more from regular walking sessions with shelter dogs than from scheduled walks with friends or a spouse. That's the finding from a study to be reported at the annual conference of the International Society for Anthrozoology. In 12 weeks, the dog-walking seniors showed significant increases in walking speed, balance and confidence.

Do We Eat Too Much Sugar?
Newsday.com (October 18, 2009)
New evidence has emerged that excess sugar consumption is related to excess calories which lead to excess weight and poor nutrition — all risks for heart disease. One study showed that just one or more soft drinks a day significantly increased the odds of developing high blood pressure. So, the American Heart Association advises us to choose “whole-food” snacks such as raisins and nuts instead of high-sugar, refined-grain snacks like candy bars and sodas.

Does Exercise Boost Immunity?
New York Times (October 16, 2009)
New research reinforces a theory that physiologists advanced some years ago, about “a J-shaped curve” involving exercise and immunity. In this model, the risks both of catching a cold or the flu and of having a particularly severe form of the infection drop if you exercise moderately. But the risk both of catching an illness and of becoming especially sick when you do escalates if you exercise intensely.

Should Parents Of Overweight Kids Lose Custody?
Time (October 16, 2009)
Should morbidly obese children be taken from their parents? Childhood obesity can lead to a host of health problems, including Type 2 diabetes, which until recently was primarily a problem seen in adults. "Children are vulnerable. If they're given food and told to finish what's on the plate, they'll eat it, and without exercise get bigger and bigger," said the chairman of Britain's Child Growth Foundation, who is lobbying obesity experts to consider “overnutrition” a form of child abuse.

Minnesota Town adds three years to Life Expectancy
CalorieLab.com (October 16, 2009)
Residents of Albert Lea, Minnesota, have been participating in a program aimed at making them healthier and giving them longer lives. The AARP Blue Zones Vitality Project takes the principles learned from studying places where people are naturally long-lived (known as blue zones) and apply them to a normal American community.

Why Not Walk or Bike?
Cape Cod Times (October 14, 2009)
In Massachusetts, almost one-third of high school and middle school students are overweight or obese. That's why the Massachusetts governor urged parents and students to walk or bike to school this year as part of the commonwealth's Safe Routes to School Program. And the state’s Transportation Secretary said, “Students who walk or bicycle arrive to school more ready to learn after some physical activity, fresh air, and time with their friends."

Health Tip: Why Don’t You Exercise
MSN Health News (October 13, 2009)
People always have excuses for why they don't exercise. But the American Diabetes Association says for every typical excuse not to get active, there's a solution, and it outlines 8 of these.

NYU Walks Forward in the 21st Century
NYU News (October 13, 2009)
NYU played host to the 10th International Walk21 conference last week, bringing together world officials and sustainable transportation advocates. Workshops and seminars addressed the themes of the conference: promoting walkable communities as sustainable communities, investing in the public sphere to promote a sustainable city, implementing design strategies for urban quality, and designing communities for active living. Walking tours called "Walkshops" were led by Department of Transportation staff and showed off some of New York City's own walking initiatives.

Couch Potatoes Beware: Skipping Workouts can be Deadly
CTV News (Canada) (October 12, 2009)
According to a recent study in the Journal of the American College of Sports Medicine, the least-fit individuals had a three-fold increased overall mortality risk and a nearly four-fold increased cardiovascular mortality risk when compared to the most fit. In other words, improving your fitness level can better your chances for a longer life. The ideal amount, says a co-author of the study is a half-hour of moderate to intense activity five days of the week.

What Kind of Pedestrian Are You?
Streetsblog.com (October 8, 2009)
Part of designing more walkable cities -- a goal of this week's Walk 21 Conference -- is figuring out how pedestrians actually interact with the space around them, something that seems inherently difficult because of the erratic and unique behavior of your average walker. But two Austrian researchers came to the conference with some intriguing ideas for measuring walking, which can be viewed here.

Walk to School Day Is a Step Away From Cars
Chicago Tribune (October 8, 2009)
Child health advocates are encouraging activities such as walking and biking to school to address concerns over rising obesity rates in children. But with "stranger danger" and traffic accidents on their minds, many parents feel conflicted letting their children walk to school alone. Some critics say Americans have become overprotective, to the detriment of their children’s health.

Strong Link between Obesity and Depression
Medical News Today (October 8, 2009)
Doctors should pay more attention to the link between common mental illness and obesity in patients because the two health problems are closely linked, according to researchers at the University of Adelaide. In an editorial published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), these researchers add support to claims of a two-way risk between obesity and common mental disorders.

Walking to School is Better in Every Way for Kids
Thestar.com (Canada) (October 8, 2009)
Canadian kids are spending more time being driven around, and are spending less time being physically active. More than 50 per cent of kids get to school in motor vehicles, including buses. This helps explain why a quarter of kids are overweight and far more aren't getting the exercise they need.

Exercise Improves Body Image for Fit and Unfit Alike
Science Daily (October 8, 2009)
According to a new University of Florida study, the simple act of exercise and not fitness itself can convince you that you look better. "People who say they have high body dissatisfaction tend to exercise the least, so we wanted to take it a step further and see whether exercise causes people's body image to improve," said an author of the study, an exercise physiologist.

Pain in the Neck (or Back, or Knee)? Focus on the Muscles
U.S. News & World Report (October 7, 2009)
Muscle Medicine, a new book by Sports Chiropractor Rob DeStefano takes you on a tour of your body's trouble spots—including the lower back and the knee. It helps you tease out the roots of common problems and possibly even how to fix them yourself. In many instances, the answer lies in how all of the elements of the musculoskeletal system work together.

Health Tip: Why Do I Get Muscle Cramps
MSN Health (October 7, 2009)
A muscle cramp is a painful contraction that may make the muscle feel hard or bulging. The U.S. National Library of Medicine offers this list of common triggers; some you may know and some may be new to you.

Michelle Obama’s tips for Being Happy, Healthy
MSNBC/Prevention Magazine (October 4, 2009)
The First Lady offers her views on wellness. When asked what good health means to her she answers, “It's multifaceted — it's physical, it's internal, it's my diet, and my emotional state…it’s all tied in together”. She explains why in this interview.

Peterborough Urged to Build More Bike Lanes, Sidewalks
The Peterborough Examiner (October 1, 2009)
The easiest and fastest way to make Peterborough N.H. a more walkable city is to create more sidewalks and build separate bike lanes that encourage people to leave their cars at home, says an international urban planning expert. The executive director of Walk and Bike for Life and former commissioner for parks, sports and recreation in Bogotá, Colombia, said communities need to create open public spaces that put pedestrians and cyclists first. "People are pedestrians," he said. "Just like birds need to fly and fish need to swim, people need to walk."

It’s a day to Walk, Bike to School On Oct 7
Oregon Live.com (October 1, 2009)
More than 50 schools in the Portland, Oregon, area have signed up to participate in this year's International Walk and Bike To School Day on Oct. 7. The annual event, created in 2000, draws about 4 million participants from 42 countries around the globe. International Walk and Bike to School Day celebrates the benefits of active transportation -- physical, mental and environmental -- and raises awareness of the need for communities that are bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly.

Pets can Help Keep the Doctor Away
USA Today (October 1, 2009)
A study which examined the value of canine walking buddies was done at The University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine Research Center for Human-Animal Interaction. According to the Director of the Center, “The older people who walked their dogs improved their walking capabilities by 28 percent…they had more confidence walking on the trail, and they increased their speed. The human walking buddies tended to discourage each other and used excuses such as the weather being too hot."