Blog Archives / January 2009

I just bought some nordic walking sticks. And I'm embarrassed to take them out for the first time. I bought them because during my winter walking it gets slippery and thought it might help on those snowy and icy days. I bought the Leki Supreme/Prestige Fitness Walking Poles at Dicks Sporting Goods for under a hundred bucks. After some research, I found out that nordic walking sticks or poles can burn 20-25% more calories than just regular walking.  I'll suck it up and get them out this weekend. Please don't laugh at me as I'm walking by with my poles swing in the winter breeze!  Maybe...


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Zume? ZumeWalk? Never heard of it. Is it a real word? And what the hell does it mean anyway? OK. Let me tell you a little about how I came up with the word ZumeWalk. The word, Zume, is more about a feeling than it is about a literal word. It's the feeling you get when you complete a great walk or better yet a month of walks. You're "zooming". A good example is how you feel zooming in your car with the sun roof open or the top down on a beautiful sunny Friday. The music is blasting a favorite song and you're singing at the top of your lungs. And you don't care what the world thinks. That's...


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It's everywhere! TV, print and the internet. Oprah has started off again to change her life and get fit. I know that a smart and driven woman like Oprah will and can do it. I only wish that she would consider changing her perspective. Here's a video link to Oprah's TV show:     Oprah\'s Webcast - Best Life The way I look at it is simple, let's say you gained weight over a two year period. Then it will take two years to take it off. Simple, straight forward and it always WORKS! I try to focus on making real change, slowly over time. This is the only way to get and keep the weight off - forever....


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I've included my Nike+ avatar on my home page to keep you posted on my walks. I know it says runs but I use the Nike+ site for tracking all of my walks. It works great! And the people at Nike have been very supportive of using the system for walking. And this leads to one of the most important motivation tools. Tracking and goal setting. At first, I used a simple calendar and marked 'X' for days walked and 'O' for missed days. This method worked great for the first ten years but lacked the elegance and features of a technological solution like Nike+ When I restarted my walking...


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Your doctor is absolutely your best resource. See them before you start your walking journey. Tell them exactly what your doing and how you plan to do it. I know that they'll love the idea of you starting a program of walking. And that the best idea is to start slowly but most importantly get started right after your appointment. That very same day. Listen to everything your doctor has to say because they have seen it all. And they have years of incredible experience working with individuals designing fitness and nutritional programs that really work. I know that my doctor is awesome...


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So really what is ZumeWalking? It's daily walking and building a life of fitness. A personal exercise journey created by each of us and shared as a community of support. What better way to take a journey than with friends, family or the people who have similar goals. Whether online or next door they can share in our journey and we in theirs. Sharing with those who are chasing the same goal - a fit life. Raising money, sharing ideas and resources. One of my main goals is to raise money by having a one day walk, nationwide, raising money for a charity like St. Jude Children's Research...


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Hello world. This is my first post and I mean ever. So please bear with me as I get going, tell my story and I promise to smooth out the rough edges along the way. Let me start by introducing myself, I'm Mike and I love to walk. Sounds goofy. Really -  walking is my primary form of aerobic exercise. I've been walking for over 13 years. The problem, I've walked 13,500 miles and now I need to catch a plane back home! A little help-anyone? Just kidding. LOL. Now the really big but"t" and I mean literally and figuratively. I stopped walking from 2005 to 2007 and gained weight. Just a little...


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