In keeping with searching for answers I like to bring awareness in resources as they come available like this one linked here that support being active.  This article discusses findings and in essence states “When a cancer patient reports persistent fatigue following treatment, it is something that deserves attention.  It may be a symptom of other things that matter.”

Balance Walking because of each of the 4 pillars that involve more than just the physical activity of planting poles and moving, we believe the positive contributions to those challenged with good health may benefit with Balance Walking, in improved health, in that moment and beyond…

Thought I would pass on a video I did this past winter in Atlanta. As you can see we had snow. OK we had a dusting. However, later in the Month we had 4 days of being house bound with snow and ice.

We had plenty of time to practice using our poles to get around with the ice and snow.

This video is unedited and a little difficult to hear the instruction she is giving as she demonstrates.

Enjoy the video.

Balance Walking Kids

Next time we will give you a great one to pass on to those looking to get their kids moving.

When I came across this article that said in a study; that walking to the photocopier and fidgeting at your desk contributes more than you think to your cardiorespiratory fitness, I thought, GREAT (your kidding).  How far do we lower the bar to get people to believe they can do very little and be healthier.

I do agree 100%, that getting up and moving if you sit daily is paramount to better health.  The research link I attached says; that fidgeting, doing loops around the copier or foot tapping among other things is helping your fitness.  We should realize that sitting motionless for years at a time at your desk for hours a day is a fast track to the grave. Lets not kid ourselves in to doing very little at work physically and believe this will make you FIT.

I do believe that an office activity break that can be of consistent duration, along with a measurable intensity is the key to “improved Health” (and of course add balanced nutrients and quite time).  Yet to speak on “improved Fitness” is another thing all together; as we need a specific activity, for a specific duration, with a measurable intensity (and the best overall activity will include components ideally that emphasis CV, Strength and Flexibility) with short and long range goals.

One of the greatest benefits we have found in an office setting with Balance Walking is one can simply get up from their desk, place the rubber paws on the poles and go for a quick walk. Even if it is only quick 3  to 10min loops in hallways, parking garages/lots or sidewalks.  The advantage with Balance Walking here is that you are standing and moving using 90% of your muscle which delivers an accumulative effect up to twice that of regular walking. Not to mention the much needed de stress time. You hear this all the time from runners  ” a runners high” as you will also experience the increase in endorphins while walking with poles.

Let’s not forget, after your quick walk their are some great stretches for neck, back and legs. There are many more benefits that I have not covered here which can be found on the main website at www.balancewalking.com

Take a quick read of the this fidget study in Canada that explored IPA (incidental physical activities).

Fidgeting your way to fitness.

Related articles

• Small Workouts Add Up to Big Gains in Overall Fitness (workingwellresources.com)
• 10 Exercises to Do at Work That Don’t Make You Look Silly (wisebread.com)

At Balance Walking we will begin training Master Coaches around the country over the next several months. The reason being as I was told by several leaders in Pilates recently across the country that… Quote, “the pole walking/nordic walking activity adds the perfect compliment to Pilates strengthening core muscles and building structural stability in your major weight bearing joints. In fact, Pilate’s professionals can see the meditative qualities of walking briskly with poles to be much like the focus and calm of Pilates.” Those trained in Balance Walking agree as even an athlete experiences this focused calm in their sport, they can likewise take Balance Walking to any demand level — low or high level aerobic training.

Pilate’s professionals do agree that Balance Walking will take their clients to moving outside of the studio (Walking) while drawing on the cardiovascular system which is vital in any fitness program. The cardio component is not the emphasis in a pilates classroom setting, so this becomes the perfect fit. Not to mention getting some fresh air.

Terry Kennedy is looking forward to next week (July 20th) in Orlando, visiting with one of the top local Pilate’s professionals residing in the Tampa area. He will begin training Charlotte Addington Weikel with the Master Balance Walking curriculum. Charlotte will then have the foundation to begin training other Pilate’s professionals with the education program under the guidance of Terry’s near to 40 years in Fitness, Sport and Business.  Charlotte of course brings the program to her studio and walkers (known as the Walkettes) at the B-Fit Pilates center in Tampa.

Needless to say this is an awesome time to be part of the ground floor growth of Balance Walking – the Next Fitness Wave of this Millennium…

We welcome all instructors with Pilates training to reach to tkennedy@balancewalking.com to learn more. You may also qualify for ACE CECs. All participants will be provided product and support to develop their own programs.

Related articles

• Pilates aids hip op recovery (humankinetics.wordpress.com)
• Balanced Body’s PILATES ARC (movementsafootblog.com)
• Pilates Exercise of the Month – Bend & Stretch with Flex-Band (pilatesintegration.wordpress.com)
• Beginners Pilates! (plantoprosper.wordpress.com)
• Pilates & Flexibility (pilatesintegration.wordpress.com)
• Osteoporosis Workshop at Pilates Certification Manitoba (pilatesintegration.wordpress.com)

International Council on Active Aging

Colin Milner the CEO of the International Council on Active Aging has released a short time back 10 points that hit home for adults regardless of age ( lets say starting at 30…). In keeping with Balance Walking and its 4 basic health pillars you will discover quickly how perfect using these poles virtually anytime by anyone will help you to maintain a more healthy and active life.

These 10 quick insights are really great personal thoughts and prompters for yourself..

10 Ways to Extend a Healthy Life

Active-aging expert offers “e-tips” for attaining and maintaining health in 2011

(Vancouver-December 27, 2010) What’s the difference between the day before your birthday and the day after? “Practically speaking, nothing at all,” declares Colin Milner, CEO of the International Council on Active Aging (www.icaa.cc), a membership organization that brings together professionals in the independent and assisted living, fitness, rehabilitation and wellness fields to dispel society’s myths about aging..

“Whether you’re turning 30, 40, 50, 65, or 90, there’s no reason to assume you’re doomed to decline after a certain age—especially if you’re doing everything you can to stay healthy and active.”

Milner offers the following “E-tips” to help you extend a healthy life, or embark on one if you haven’t yet done so (citations available on request):

1. Expectations: If  you’ve been following a healthy lifestyle up ’til now, simply keep going; if you need to make changes, anticipate succeeding, not failing—and don’t let age be a barrier. Research has shown that thinking positively about getting older can extend your life by as much as 7.5 years.
2. Enthusiasm: Few people are thrilled with every aspect of their lives, but many have at least one area—family, friends, work, avocation—they feel good about. Identify an activity or connection that sparks your enthusiasm and make it your lifeline; try to extend that enthusiasm to other areas of your life.
3. Energy: Having the energy and motivation you need to age well are hallmarks of healthy living. If you’re fatigued all the time, don’t let apathy and lethargy drag you down; get a checkup to try to determine the cause—and the solution.
4. Eating: Eating a balanced diet and attaining/maintaining a normal weight are keys to physical and mental health; if you need to lose weight or make changes in your diet, keep your expectations high—you can do it.
5. Exercise: Staying physically active fuels the body and mind. If you’re already exercising regularly, keep it up; if you’re getting started, know your skill level, set goals, progress at your own pace, and be consistent.
6. Engagement: Volunteers have higher levels of well-being and life satisfaction than those who don’t volunteer; volunteering and other forms of civic and social engagement can play an important role in maintaining good health in later life. “Get involved,” Milner urges.
7. Emotions: Everyone feels down at times, but full-blown depression is a major cause of disability. If you’re feeling out of sorts for two weeks or more, talk with your doctor or take an online screening test at www.mentalhealthscreening.org/. In many instances, simply exercising and eating right can change your mood.
8. Education: Life-long learning is important to living an independent and fulfilling life. Start now to learn a new area of knowledge or physical activity. It’s good for the brain.
9. Effort: Changing expectations and embarking on new behaviors take energy and effort, but the results are well worth it.
10. Enjoyment: A healthy life generally is a joyous one. “Savor the process of being or becoming active, engaged, and truly alive,” Milner enthuses.

“The new year is a great time to take stock and ask yourself, ‘where do I want to go from here?,’” Milner says. “Emphasize the positive and don’t let your age, or anyone else, deter you.”

***

About the International Council on Active Aging

The International Council on Active Aging® is the professional association that leads, connects and defines the active-aging industry. ICAA supports professionals who develop wellness facilities, programs and services for adults over 50. The association is focused on active aging—an approach to aging that helps older adults live as fully as possible within all dimensions of wellness—and provides its members with education, information, resources and tools. As an active-aging educator and advocate, ICAA has advised numerous organizations and governmental bodies, including the US Administration on Aging, the National Institute on Aging (one of the US National Institutes of Health), the US Department of Health and Human Services, Canada’s Special Senate Committee on Aging, and the British Columbia ministries of Health, and Healthy Living and Sport.

The biggest struggles with any corporate wellness program is getting employees involved, keeping them involved and creating behavioral changes that last after the program ends. In fact implementation and motivation begins with a CEO, Owner, Supervisor, or fellow employee who embarrasses anyone of these work-site health facts :

• Attract good workers in a competitive market
• Improve productivity (reducing absenteeism and lost work time due to illness and disability)
• Improve on the job performance and time utilization (reduce “presentee-ism”)
• Improve employee morale and foster organizational commitment
• Reduce conflict and build goodwill toward management
• Reduce employee turnover
• Reduce health care costs

Rational for Promoting a Wellness Program

Source: National Business Group on Health and Pricewaterhouse Coopers. 2006

Glo with My Healthy Strides

Corporate wellness becomes an exciting expedition with H-E-A-L-T-H TREK (Helping Employees Achieve Learning the Habits of Health), a 12 week wellness journey geared for small corporations and municipalities. Employees take a step by step journey on the path to living a longer, healthier life, supported by certified health coaches and personal trainers who act as trail guides for safe passage. Employees are equipped with all the gear they need for the trail, “campfire sessions” where they learn about the process of healthy nutrition, healthy movement, healthy sleep and de-stressing, along with individual guidance and support to help them achieve their health goals.

HEALTH TREK is a highly interactive and highly personal program that engages participants over a 12 week period that involves goal setting, personalized nutrition plans, exercise workshops/walking programs, and educational challenges that help make changes in thought patterns, behaviors, and physique to create better health.  The event culminates with a grand finale Walk/Nordic Walk/Run Celebration Event called THE MOUNT EVER-BEST 5K– because employees now have the knowledge and skills to live ever at their best!

Contact Glo at glo@myhealthystrides.com