We are preparing at Balance Walking ( Nordic Walking – the generic term ) to meet the needs of Doctors, Physical Therapist, Coaches, and as well all those whom want to participate in the clear trending towards physical activity as the best medicine to reduce or eliminate disease processes. We know that daily physical activity is vital for everyone regardless of ones current health or health challenge.

Pole Walking and Breast Cancer

We are gathering teams of professionals and community ambassadors  ( please, if you believe you can play a part – contact Terry D. Kennedy the Exec. Dir. of Balance Walking at tkennedy@balancewalking.com ) that want to be part of our beta Balance Walking Breast Cancer program. The program will open to 100s of participants using the Poles as prescribed by their Doctors and Therapist whether for  Prehab, Rehab and or Maintenance.  We will be able to provide the teaching materials and poles at a much reduced cost so that no one will be left out of the program.  We will encourage each person to participate with a minimum of one individual in their weekly activity for a minimum of 12weeks.

To be honest this activity attracts a lot of positive attention, so you may find yourself with a good size group.

The entire Balance Walking program includes several key Wellness Pillars that can be reviewed on our main Balance Walking website . This post is meant to announce how we will begin to integrate the Poles as Step One.

We know that Nordic Walking delivers as the research has shown all the obvious health and fitness benefits that lead to prevention and an increase in the QOL (Quality of Life).

I am including an article done in 2009, that is really just a snippet below that suggest the varying Pole Walking benefits to Lymphedema (sometimes  occur with Breast Cancer patients due to treatment and surgery side-effect from Breast Cancer).

How to Do Arm Lymphedema Exercises

Pole walking, also called Nordic walking, uses your arms, shoulders, upper chest and back muscles. While you’re getting a good cardio workout, all your major joints are exercised, and your muscles will get stretched and lengthened.

When done properly, pole walking is done while your arms are relaxed. Your shoulders will be working in a swinging motion, similar to shoulder flexion, but with a greater range of motion. This continuous motion should help excess lymph fluid move back into circulation and help you avoid arm lymphedema.

Pole Walking – Standing Exercise

Remember: Always wear your compression sleeve on your affected arm during exercise.

Use a set of fitness walking poles that have a hand strap at the top. The poles should remain behind your stride and always point diagonally backwards as you walk. These will help you exercise your shoulders, assist with balance, and provide support for knee joints and leg muscles. Keep your shoulders relaxed and hold the poles near your body.

1. Step forward with your right foot, and swing your left arm forward, up to waist height. Your left pole hits the ground just behind your right foot.
2. Keep your torso upright, don’t lean forward as you walk.
3. Let your right arm straighten out behind you, forming a line that ends at the tip of your right pole. Roll your left foot from heel to toe as you walk, pushing off with your toe.
4. Alternate feet and poles, while maintaining good posture as you pole walk.

For a complete explanation of pole walking technique and to learn more about the benefits of this exercise, visit the About.com Walking site.

_Sources:

_{The Effect Of Gentle Arm Exercise And Deep Breathing On Secondary Arm Lymphedema. A.L. Moseley, N.B. Piller, C.J. Carati. Lymphology 38 (2005) 136-145.}

_{Exercise and Arm Lymphedema. Karin Johansson, RPT, LT, Lymphedema Unit, Lund University Hospital, Dr. Med. Sci, Dep. of Health Science, Lund University, Sweden. Physiotherapy Theory Practice, 2009 Apr; 25(3):165-73.}

Kurt Doctor 2011 Portland Marathon Nordic Walking Master Division in 3rd Place

The added benefit that Kurt can attest to is doing the full marathon with the Poles as opposed to without almost doubled the positive physiological effects. This would of course depend on his individual effort during the event to increase calorie expenditure, heart rate training effect, VO2 consumption and more. This will come for everyone by adding the Balance Walking Poles (commonly known as Nordic Walking Poles) which is truly an amazing benefit. Kurt had completed the full marathon in 6:07:41 which is equivalent to a 14:02min/mile pace, wow, that is hoofing it down the road. The poles used properly can add significant speed to anyone’s walking distance.

If we apply either the full marathon as 26.2miles or the ½ marathon as 13.1miles the equivalent effects respectively using the Poles would increase the distance to over 40miles and 20miles. Note however, ones technique and ultimate pace to the finish line will surely give differing distances.

Great News for Runners

All those who love to run and might begin to consider using the Poles as part of their training or in a running event will discover the benefits are significant. You will be able to integrate the Poles at any starting point; whether it is for personal health, fitness or for sport. Here are just a few of those benefits:

• Activate 90% of the body’s muscles over regular walking

• Burns up to 46% more calories than regular walking

• Increases aerobic effect by up to 22% compared to regular walking

• Decreases load and strain on the lower body by up to 30%

• Tones and increases flexibility of upper arms, shoulders

• Improves lateral mobility of the back muscles and spine

• Strengthens core while developing stability

• Promotes an upright posture

• Will find it easier to workout together with differing coordination and fitness levels

Till next time… looking forward to more great reports on the Balance Walking Poles, Program and Testimonials as they come my way. Please send them to tkennedy@balancewalking.com

Terry D. Kennedy – Exec. Dir. Balance Walking

In fact the New Plate for Nutrition has replaced the My Pyramid. I never liked it as the facts were hidden in a shape that was not reality. The New Plate is just that, a Plate. 1/2 the plate is covered with Fruits and Vegetables. How does 7 – 13 fruits and vegetables sound…

Out with the Old

And here is a great video to pass on to your principles, head masters and your school board…

An Apple a Day is not enough

Komen Affiliates Increase Participation & Fundraising

Pink Year Round for Better Health

Balance Walking is a Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Corporate Sponsor and is excited to work with ‘All Affiliates’ to help grow their community outreach. Presently, in the SGK Participant Center used by individuals and teams located online contains some great resources to help increase fundraising. One resource area is labeled, 101 Great Ideas, which helps participants by suggesting creative ideas to help increase donations. Now with our partnership is the perfect time to take advantage of the “Pink Pole Balance Walking Program as the 102nd Great Idea!” In fact, we believe this will double participation and fundraising in local communities year round.

One neat thing about Balance Walking is that it creates curiosity and excitement without detracting from the Susan G Komens current schedule of events and programs. Integrating the poles brings an additional dimension to any Komen Event and will boost individual or team donations. The poles are guaranteed to attract attention and elicit questions, such as…

What are you doing?

First let me use my experience; as I confidently respond – “well one mile with these poles gives me the benefits of nearly 2 miles of regular walking (this is just one of the many benefit examples. You will also increase calorie burn to 90% muscle activation versus 60-70% of regular walking). The benefits come so quickly that I walk with the poles for 5, 10, 15minutes or more if I have time.” This eliminates the excuse – I have no TIME! And guess what their response is almost every time – more questions!

Where can I get the Poles?

This is a perfect opportunity to explain the partnership between Balance Poles and Susan G. Komen for the Cure®. We suggest letting all who ask; to know that $5 from each sale stays in the community and another $5 goes to the national office for breast cancer research. Order the Susan G Komen Poles Online easily or visit a participating Foot Solutions. This Question is usually followed with…

Where can I learn How to use Poles?

And of course I tell them; it’s easy with an online video, community walking groups, as I hand them an Invite Card.

Then of course, more questions – when and where does your group walk? As I hand them a 5 x 7 invite card, I also get their name and contact information for follow-up. And if you have an extra set of poles show them how and invite them back to use them as loaner poles until they make their purchase online. We suggest that individuals or team members work with their local Affiliate office to use the online tools to promote their group. Starting their own Meetup online is easy and very inexpensive (www.meetup.com). We suggest calling the Meetup “Pink Pole Balance Walking / (list area or team name here).

Sometimes people just want to get started and learn how and walk on their own where they live or work.

Look 1 ask a Friend, then it became 7

Susan G Komen 5k Atlanta Pink Team

What’s The Next Step?

• Contact: Your Local Susan G Komen Affiliate or Terry Kennedy at 770-916-5996
• Email: tkennedy@balancewalking.com
  
• Spread the Word! Enlist 5 or more supporters who may be interested in learning more and who would like to help grow your Teams Fundraising Goals Year Round

Here is a great video for promotion

“Exercise is the Best Medicine.”

Yes, we all are hoping that researchers can find a cure to cancer. Many of us are at some point in our lives, touched by cancer – whether it is our family, friends or even ourselves. So while seeking a cure we are now finding more and more research evidence that says – “Exercise is the Best Medicine.”

We are gaining headline attention by using phrases like; “Magic Pill” or “Wonder Drug” to describe the positive effects of Exercise over Cancer. That worries me to the extent that, catchy marketing media phrases used to draw attention can also turn people away from exercise. Remember – the old “too good to be true” line. I am more comfortable with leading others to exercise with one of Jack’s “LaLanne-isms.” He once said, “Exercise is King, nutrition is Queen, put them together and you’ve got a kingdom.” Having said that, some things never change, and our human nature unfortunately only moves when we can get something for nothing, threatened, or are afraid of losing something.

For years, we’ve known that a healthy diet and regular physical exercise is key to preventing cancer. The latest research is finding that for those who have already suffered from cancer, physical exercise can dramatically help with cancer patients’ recovery and long-term health. Macmillan Cancer Support, a British cancer charity, stated in a report that just 150 minutes of moderate exercise such as walking or gardening per week could reduce a breast cancer patient’s risk of recurrence or dying by 40 percent, reduce a prostate cancer patient’s risk of dying by 30 percent, and also help counteract negative cancer side effects such as fatigue, depression, osteoporosis and heart disease for all cancer patients. Additionally, getting more physical exercise can reduce the risk of colon cancer by as much as 50 percent.

Many Health Professionals Unaware of Benefits

However, despite strong emerging evidence that being physically active could dramatically improve cancer patients’ recovery and long-term health, a Macmillan online survey of 400 health professionals who deal with cancer patients found that many are not aware of this and most are not talking to their patients about it. Over half of the primary care doctors, nurses, and oncologists surveyed do not speak to their cancer patients about the benefits of physical activity, or at best they speak to just a few of them.

Ciaran Devane, chief executive of Macmillan Cancer Support, says, “Cancer patients would be shocked if they knew just how much benefit physical activity could have on their recovery and long-term health, in some cases reducing their chances of having to go through the grueling ordeal of treatment all over again.”

Exercise Not Just an Add-on to Care

According to Jane Maher, chief medical officer of Macmillan Cancer Support, “The advice I would previously have given to one of my patients would have been to ‘take it easy.’ This has now changed significantly because of the recognition that, if physical exercise were a drug, it would be hitting the headlines. There really needs to be a cultural change so that health professionals see physical activity as an integral part of cancer after-care, not just an optional add-on.” The Macmillan Cancer Support has created and is providing online many great tools and references that can be used when you are ready to begin exercise. One is the Move More Pack is a complete guide to becoming more active.

Balance Walking is Exercise for Everyone

We are training Masters, Coaches and Walk Leaders to teach and mentor new Balance Walkers beginning in the US and around the world. One of our new initiatives is to provide all of the local Susan G Komen Affiliates an Exercise and Prevention activity, by using the Poles for all their events, active walkers and supporters. In fact, even those who can not participate in the Komen Events, will support SGK with each pair of Balance Walking Poles purchased be directing a portion to go to Curing Breast Cancer.

Contact Terry Kennedy at tkennedy@balancewalking.com to get started with your Balance Walking Poles and program. It’s easy to learn, it’s for everyone and of course it’s a great exercise. If you might consider regular walking, then you will be excited to know that the benefits are multiplied almost 2 times when you grab your poles and move for as little as 5minutes at time.

Get Healthy — Get Exercise

This is really a great time to serve those whom have served our country.  And we all know that behind all this service to our country are the families connected, usually at quite a distance, and for long periods of time.  In keeping with the “Let’s Move” initiatives today, we can join ACE, and Balance Walking and make a difference  NOW.

Those Coaches who are Joining Forces using their ACE credentials can be part of the comprehensive national initiative that provides ways for Americans to reconnect with and give back to our service members and their families.  The American Council on Exercise® (ACE®) is honored to support this important program by providing a way for fitness service providers to pledge 1 million fitness training service hours to actively deployed National Guard, Reservists and their immediate families.

Those of you whom are Certified ACE Coaches can easily click online and provide your service at no cost to these Service Men, Women and Families.  Many of you have already received the Balance Walking ACE CECs through our program and are encouraged to go online and make a commitment today.  As little as one hour.  I found this easy as you can see by clicking here.

So let’s take Balance Walking to these families with the  “Join Forces Community Challenge” and ACE® Today!!

In this past month, the pace and the buzz about Balance Walking is at an all out running pace with cheers along the way.

Foundationally, the secret is no longer, as the goal has always been to provide everyone the opportunity to learn how to Balance Walk and to connect with others in communities around the world regardless of the demographic, health, fitness, location – age. One minute I am speaking by phone or email to Executives and Program Directors, then the next I am brainstorming with the local grassroots public who simply want to form Meetup groups. After only a minute, I am always asked; where do I get poles and how do I get started? The key foundational component I impress upon them is to Balance Walk with others to connect in community and in conversation.

As I speak with people, the most fun is anticipating the same series of comments: this would be great at my office, we could do this here or there, I know somebody who would be a great coach and on and on! The ideas and insights from professionals and the public have been amazing.

Even those that have been involved with a small pocket of Nordic Walkers for years are now calling me and wanting to be part of our education program as Masters (those who train other Coaches and Walk Leaders) or coaches and walk leaders. We have set this effective program in place through much planning and collaborative initiatives. We will be able to plug in virtually anywhere.

You will begin to see Balance Walkers showing up near you. If you do not see a group, simply shoot me an email tkennedy@balancewalking.com or call 770.916.5996 and I will share with you how to start a walking group. This is such fun to meet people from around the world in the 100+ email conversations and phone calls. I am positioning qualified Masters to handle the Balance Walking demands.

Renee is one of several who come with awesome experience and passion. After we met, and in less than a week, she had 53 people sign up for the Pink Pole Balance Walking program. Here is a great story that she shared the other day:

READ MORE

Let’s have some Fun and Walk Today. No need to wait. 15 minutes of Balance Walking a day can deliver nearly the equivalent of 30 minutes a day of regular walking for a multitude of health benefits for you. You can do this Indoors and in the Great Outdoors.

Let’s Go! Connect with a Community

Find a Group.

Find a Coach or Walk Leader.

As Director of Balance Walking Worldwide, my team will be using many tools that have been under development radar. We will release these tools one by one to give everyone choices that will better fit their needs.

We have launched and will encourage all new Coaches and Walk Leaders (anyone looking to start to Walk today) to set up their own Meetup Balance Walking group. This is so easy.

Give me a shout at www.balancewalking.com or tkennedy@balancewalking.com and I will answer questions and help you set up your own program. You can be a corporation, a non profit, private fitness or health coach, or someone looking for others to walk and talk with today.

Come On!

We have Renee McLaughlin, a Balance Walking coach who in less than 1 week had 53 walkers looking to get started on one of our initiatives – Pink Pole Balance Walking.

Renee started with “Blast Away the Inches with Balance Walking!” in the website www.meetup.com – one of our tools.

Renee’s opening message (after consulting with her) was right on point and her post is placed in her “about section in Meetup” (read more)

Robin T., a 2nd grade teacher

“My lifestyle is busy, and my body was unfortunately showing signs of inactivity and weight gain. My lower back was making it difficult to enjoy my students and family. I joined the Walk Club at school with my faculty friends and within the first 2 weeks my back pain WAS GONE and I had already lost 4 pounds.”
- Robin T., 2nd grade teacher & mother

“Our neighborhood Nordic Walking class has gotten the whole family outdoors together at least 3 times per week. We have significantly impacted our insulin dependence, improved family dynamics and feel great. There is even a high school program to get the teenagers on their feet whether they are track stars or in the marching band.”
- Michael, Michelle and Laura D., a diabetic family

“As a 60-year old active physician, it was immediately obvious the value of Nordic Pole Walking. Many of my patients were stuck in a rut of needing to exercise but not feeling comfortable in traditional gyms or training regiments. Nordic Pole Walking is the best low-impact, cardio activity I have come across. Our patients walk for their heart, their health and their life.”
- Dr. Art L., heart surgeon inner city hospital

“Our busy practice has totally benefited from our Foot Solutions Nordic Pole Walking classes. We have pregnant moms, mature patients and staff, all walking, sharing ideas and staying fit. It’s a win-win for women’s health!”
- Nurse Denise M. & Dr. Carol H., Ob-Gyn

The complete total body workout engages 90% of the body’s muscles and burns up to 46% more calories than traditional walking.
* Lose weight
* Strengthen core muscles
* Reduce stress to your knees, hip, and back
* Adaptable workout for all fitness levels
* all in 15 minutes

The basic concept behind Balance Walking, comes from cross country skiing. Similar health and fitness benefits can be achieved without the snow or the skis. All that is needed is a set of poles and a pair of rocker sole shoes and you are on your way to a healthier more youthful life.

Become a Balance Walking Coach for FREE!!!
Join the fastest growing activity in the US that caters to all fitness levels and goals.

What is creating all the excitement over this new activity? The benefits are endless, whether you are a top athlete or walking around with a cane. When it comes to exercise, time and location can be a roadblock. With Balance Walking, these are no longer concerns, as Balance Walking can be done anywhere and the very nature of the exercise incorporates the entire body, creating an efficient workout in less time. Get started today!