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Walking for Life
A Guide to Getting Started
By Michele St. Martin
Walking for exercise is an idea whose time has come. As more and more of us want to simplify our lives, what could be simpler than putting one foot in front of the other and just moving? It's easy, it's economical (all you really need is the right pair of shoes), and you don't need to make time to drive to a gym. Plus, you can do it anywhere.
Wendy Bumgardner is an expert on walking. Bumgardner, who's been walking for 16 years, is the walking guide at About.com. She's hosted about 100 non-competitive walking events and is passionate about walking. She says all that beginners need to get started is "willpower to get out the door and a comfortable pair of shoes." Bumgardner also suggests joining a walking club or recruiting a walking partner as "a good way to get started or committed."
You don't have to be athletic or even in good shape to start walking. Most of the avid walkers we talked to do not consider themselves athletes. "I definitely am not an athlete," says Dena Stroud of Archdale, N.C. "I have never been able to really 'run.' Walking is definitely something everybody can do!"
Stroud recently started walking again after experiencing some non-walking related health problems. And while she admits to mixing up her exercise routine by throwing in a little aerobics "to keep the boredom down," she also agrees with the experts on another way to keep things moving. "If you have a walking partner, that really helps prevent boredom and gives you some competition," she says. Stroud also enjoys walking to fast-paced music, where she can "walk to the beat and really get some walking done!"