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)

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

Great news with the Balance Walking Poles and Susan G Komen Affiliates… With the addition of several great tools and ideas we can help you start your own local group in your workplace or neighborhood… In fact last week we started another Pink Pole Balance Walking group that started at the Silver Comet Trail in Atlanta, Georgia on Saturday @ 9a.m… In the 3 days prior to the Meetup 12 people signed up to participate… This walk will occur each Saturday at 9am for those that rsvp… We start with instruction and warm-up at the Silver Comet Depot… If Saturday does not work we will create other groups that may desire other days and times…

These walks are open to everyone that can walk whom wants to get more out of walking…  Simply go to to Meetup – Join – RSVP and we will provide the loaner poles, instruction and motivation… If you have questions go ahead and send an email to Terry Kennedy at tkennedy@balancewalking.com …

Lastly, let’s not forget that we are beginning to receive requests from Susan G Komen for the Cure participants and local affiliates, asking to help them create new and grow existing groups… And yes this provides unlimited year round walkers… Wait till you see the cool poles…. And yes up to 10.00 will go to Susan G Komen for the Cure and your Local Affiliate…

www.meetup.com the proven best existing online tool to help others get together for virtually anything. I have beta tested for many months with great results. Now I am recommending and rolling this great tool out to our Balance Walking Coaches and Walk Leaders as best practice.  To Start or Join a Balance Walking Group is so easy; to Promote, to Invite and to Grow. And, yes the site is user friendly. You will see the Balance Walking Wave popping up every area of the country.

Glo Winters a Master Coach in Georgia dropped me a note the other day -

“Terry, since I wanted to Balance Walk for my own health and fitness, I started a walking group on Meet Up and now have a regular walking schedule and friends to join me every day!  I enjoy introducing Balance Walking to others so they can experience the great benefits of this superior exercise, and, have more friends to walk with.  This year I plan to walk the Atlanta 3 Day with a couple of friends and, of course, we will be training for and walking the entire event with our beautiful pink SGK poles!

I would recommend for anyone looking to get started to jump in, and if you need help give me a shout or of course send a note on to Terry to help you get started. My Balance Walking Group is in the Cummings, Georgia area. (www.meetup.com/balancewalking-cumming )”

And, of course, shoot me an email at tkennedy@balancewalking.com or a call to 770-916-5996 if you are ready to get started.

You will love the Pink Poles and make loads of new friends

Yes!
Where? Worldwide! When? Everyday! Why? Breast Cancer! Who? You and You and You!

Yes!
Let’s get your Pink Poles! We have alternate colors, too!

Yes!
They’re grabbing the Pink Poles in Atlanta, too Walking Talking doing what they love, to help be part of the Cure for Breast Cancer living a life grounded in Health & Prevention. Many of our walkers have been impacted by breast cancer and Balance Walking is a great way to help a survivor lead a more active life.

Yes!
They even personalized their group with the name – CHICKS WITH STICKS 3-Day team. Come be part of their team by contacting Glo Winters, glo@myhealthystrides.com .

Yes!
You want to start your own team, then contact Terry Kennedy, the Director Worldwide at tkennedy@balancewalking.com .

Glo Winters, Deanna Elzey, Betty Ewing

Here is their story

Our team captain, Betty Ewing, knows what it means to hear the words “breast cancer” and to experience it firsthand. From her courage in facing this vicious foe our team was formed to walk by her side, in her honor and in honor of many other strangers, acquaintances, friends, best friends, relatives and family members who have also had to fight this battle. We walk for those in the future who will face this enemy. This is our 2nd walk for the cure and we hope that our passion, efforts and commitment to raise money to join the 3 Day 60 Mile Walk again in October will provide not only the funds but the answers, research and the cure to defeat this terrible disease once and for all. Our prayer is that no more wives, mothers, grandmothers, daughters, sisters, friends or best friends will be lost or suffer from breast cancer ever again.

We walk with pink Balance Walking poles because not only do we desire a cure but we want to promote prevention. It is important for everyone to make a health focused lifestyle a priority. We believe in creating healthy habits – one of which is consistent exercise. Please help our team by purchasing a fundraiser card and if you are interested in Pink Pole Balance Walking you can help us even more. With each set of Pink Poles you purchase Foot Solutions will donate $5 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure® with a minimum donation of $100,000 by 2011. You want poles; please contact Glo Winters glo@myhealthystrides.com

Yes We will wait for you and will have loaner poles for you to try,
Betty Deanna – Glo