Alternative Health Blog

Walking for health is underrated for its health benefits. And driving your car is perhaps one of the things holding you back from feeling good or losing weight or both.

Consider the research of Lawrence Frank, who is an urban development researcher at the University of British Columbia. He has produced a number of studies showing that in no uncertain scientific terms that time spent in the car is a stronger indicator of being overweight or obese than factors such as income, education, gender and ethnicity. Frank’s research shows that for every extra 30 minutes commuters drove each day, the obesity risk went up 3 percent compared with individuals who drove less.

Honk if that makes you feel like loosening your belt buckle.

Another fact: The typical white male living in the suburbs is, on average, 10 pounds heavier than his counterpart living in an urban neighborhood. Another study found that people who live less than a half-mile from shops were 7 percent less likely to be obese (calculated as 20 percent or more over healthy weight) than folks who have to drive to shopping areas.

Good information as we head into the holiday shopping seasons. Say no to driving to the mall. Say yes to roaming a neighborhood for just the right gift.

Frank envisions a day when most people put a priority on both drive time and walkability when choosing a community, neighborhood or house. Just a few years ago, his hypothesis was frequently waved off as too simplistic or simply alarmist. But new research and government awareness is supporting his once-fringe thinking about how to improve our health without deprivation diets or even making it to the health club.  including .

For instance, The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has further legitimized Frank's position by conducting its own pilot studies on how built community affects health. One intriguing perspective is the sad truth that kids in less safe urban neighborhoods skew toward obesity and being overweight because parents are afraid to let the kids play or even walk outdoors.

Even better, a number of recent British studies have connected walking to enhance brain skills and mental clarity.

One way to capitalize on the value of walking for health is to upgrade your approach to walking, whether you dress for a power walking workout or simply incorporate some brisk walking into your commute, lunch hour or after-school outing with the kids.

The difference between walking and fitness-walking is good form. Here are a few pointers on stride posture: 



• Keep your spine elongated; not rigid but merely tall and relaxed. Your ear lines up with your shoulder, hip, knee and ankle. 



• Be aware of any unnatural sway or arch in your lower back. Try tucking your buttocks to pull the pelvis into a more neutral position. It’s subtle but important. 



• Your head is level, eyes looking forward about 12 to 20 feet in ahead, chin parallel to the ground. If the head is allowed to tilt forward, that strains your neck and shoulders. 



• While we all associate legs with walking, the arms are important too. Bend your arms at the elbow to create a shorter lever, allowing a faster forward/backward swing. It’s al part of making health part of your day, no matter how busy you might or how your reasons for not “officially” working out.

Bob Condor blogs for Alternative Health Journal every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.