This week put the breaks on your usual routine and rev up your fitness goals by avoiding your car. Move it this Monday by walking, biking, skateboarding or taking public transportation. Less time driving means more time for activity!

With the rising gas prices, parking the car and covering some ground using other modes of transportation has become much more appealing. Walking and biking are my favorite exercises and my most enjoyable ways of traveling short distances. Besides, walking and biking are the best ways to gain some exercise, lose some body fat and ease our minds.

When you’re walking, bicycling, or skateboarding for fitness, your clothing, shoes and posture are very important. Comfortable, breathable, and appropriate clothing for your climate are basic essentials. You don’t have to splurge on the latest designer jogging suit or active-wear — an old t-shirt will do just fine. Just make sure you have enough clean, fresh clothing every day.

Selecting the right walking or running shoes is very important. You want to choose the best shoe for your feet. Having ample support and comfort over the long haul is what I look for in a sneaker. With all the latest technology and fashion trends, there are an overwhelming number of sneakers from which to select. But I would recommend you look for a shoe designed for either walking or long-distance running. Both types of shoes will have the support and comfort you need.   If you plan to purchase your shoes online, I would strongly suggest that you go in and get fitted so you can get a feel for the shoe. You can then purchase the shoes from a local store or purchase them online if you can get better pricing.

Walking

Walking outside on a nice, sunny day does wonders for my spirit and frame of mind and is an excellent way to get fit.  I find it to be very relaxing and energizing. Taking long walks clears my mind and allows me to think more clearly. I also get wonderful ideas and resolve a lot of issues while I’m on my long walks. So, when I take my walks, I wear my favorite walking shoes, I usually bring along a bottle of water, a little flip notepad with a pen, and my mobile phone.

Bicycling

With the rising gas prices, bikes are becoming more popular. Many cities are becoming more street friendly to two-wheeled travelers. A lot of cities are putting more money and time into developing a great network of bike trails. Riding a bike is a great way to explore your city or town and get some great exercise. However, be very careful while bicycling around on the streets and out in traffic.

Skateboarding

For those of you who grew up skateboarding, getting back on one may be a breeze! However, for a baby boomer like me, I think I’ll stick to walking and bicycling. Skateboarding can render a great workout because it really commands the use of the total body. Being comfortable with moving the skateboard along and knowing how to maneuver it in tricky situations is a key factor in enjoying the ride. Also, having the right gear, a good quality skateboard and practicing safety is vitally important. So, do your homework and get the necessary equipment and gear in place before you shove off!

Hopping on Public Transportation

Taking the bus is not as difficult as it may seem. As a matter of fact, when I used to ride the bus to work, I found it to be very relaxing — a definite de-stressor! It gave me time to read and just have some quiet time. Having a schedule of the times and routes is the key to enjoying the ride on public transportation. If you can schedule your trips during off-peak hours, you will find your ride so much more enjoyable — less noise and less over-crowding. Pull out a good book, magazine, newspaper or your iPod and have a wonderful ride.

Parking the car and using other means of getting from Point A to Point B has its benefits. You will definitely save money on gasoline. You will also help improve the environment and cut down on all those auto emissions and pollutants. Burning belly fat is also a very good benefit of walking, bicycling or skateboarding our way around instead of driving. Another great benefit derived from parking the car is bringing more calmness into your life and decreasing stress. Driving in traffic, especially rush-hour traffic, greatly increases stress in our lives. Stepping away from the car and stepping into some walking shoes is a great way to get fit, burn belly fat, and decrease the level of stress in our lives.

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If you’re ready to get fit and well, there are some important things you need to know before you begin. Just follow these five tips for getting started on the right foot.

1.    An important factor to consider when you start to exercise is the intensity level.  You must make sure you’re not getting in over your head.  The reason why this is important is because we age differently and, through the years, you may have developed some physical challenges that may need to be taken into consideration before you start an exercise program.  Shoulder, knee or lower back issues require a modified program that addresses these common physical challenges.  If you don’t adjust the level of intensity according to your physical abilities or limitations, then you run the risk of injuring yourself.  Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting any fitness, diet or exercise program.

2.    Another important consideration for getting fit and well now is finding the time to do it consistently.  Carve out a block of time to exercise at least 30 minutes.  You may find early morning workouts are best.  Getting that exercise in before you start the day will prevent unexpected conflicts that occur throughout the day from hampering your routine.  You will also find that an early-morning workout leaves you more energetic, with more peace of mind, and aids in weight loss.

3.    You don’t have to spend a lot of money to get fit and well.  That’s a common misconception that some people have about starting to get physically fit.  You don’t need to purchase a gym membership or expensive equipment to start getting fit.  There are many easy ways you can work physical activity into your life.  All you need to do is purchase a good pair of walking shoes, and make sure that you use them every day.  

4.    Instead of delaying your health and fitness efforts by seeking out a personal trainer and/or waiting until you can afford a gym or fitness center membership, why don’t you purchase some good fitness videos or view YouTube and other online videos that cover your area of interest.  Seek out reputable companies and/or certified personal trainers who have produced exercise videos that address your physical challenges and limitations.  In fact, if you build a library of fitness videos or have a 24/7 resource for them, you’ll find your workouts are motivating and fun!

5.    Have you considered seeking out a workout partner?  A spouse, your child, a neighbor, a co-worker, or a dog would be a great companion to keep you motivated and hold you accountable.

Getting fit and well is not hard nor is it an expensive thing to do.  Seeking the advice of your doctor, carving out a block of time for yourself, purchasing a pair of good walking shoes, watching a good fitness video, and grabbing a workout partner are five things you can do to get started.  

So, if you really want to get fit and well, follow these tips to add years to your life and improve the quality of your life . . . NOW!

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