| Come Walk with the Doc Often I’m asked, “Is it better to walk or run?” As you might expect, both have health benefits. Studies show joggers living about four years longer due to the added heart health benefits. However, more than half of people who run will experience an injury while the percentage of walkers who get hurt is around one percent. Walking provides significant health benefits and remains my favorite method of locomotion. Walk fast and you can expect the extra benefits joggers enjoy. For more about the benefits of walking and running read Julia Belluz article “Should you walk or run for exercise? A daily walk is medicine for the body and the soul. Taken daily it offers amazing benefits. Join me for a walk that’s a step toward better health. Nancy Neighbors, MD Huntsville, Alabama If you have a regular walking or running program you may be asking, “So, why haven’t I been losing more weight?” The simple answer is that while exercise is important for our health and can contribute to weight loss, it’s only a small part of total daily calories used. As shown in the figure, there are three main components to energy expenditure. Basal is the energy you use no matter what you're doing, even when sleeping and accounts for 60 to 80 percent of energy expenditure. Digestion of food takes another 10%. That leaves only 30 percent or less for physical activity and exercise. For more about how exercise and weight loss are related read Julia Belluz's interesting explanation. Did You Know? Walking is part of life in more ways than you might suspect? Any of these ‘walking’ songs bring back a memory? Walk Don't Run Walk On By Baby Elephant Walk These Boots are Made for Walkin' Walk On the Wild Side Walk Like an Egyptian Walking in Memphis For a list of over 230 contemporary songs about walking click here. “Home is everything you can walk to.” ― Rebecca Solnit “Walking is a daily experience and a lifetime journey.” ― Maxine Cunningham |
