Family Circle Walking Challenge

Meg, Health Editor

2007-07-11T06:42:00.000-07:00

When we launched this walking challenge back in April we were hoping our readers would together log in at least 75,000 miles. Amazingly, we just hit the one million mile mark! Wow. Amazing. I am so proud. And inspired. So much so that I felt the need to go out for a walk today at lunch-time. I hit the sidewalk running, only to be halted by a “real-feel” temperature of 105 degrees. The air was so thick I felt like I could barely take in a deep breath. But I crossed to the shady side of the street and caught a breeze and my pace picked up. I returned to the office a little sweaty but totally energized for the afternoon. Thanks for the inspiration!

Katie, Editorial Assistant

2007-07-10T11:33:00.000-07:00

Summer can be grueling in the City so I take every chance I get to escape to my parents house on Cape Cod. Trading in the hot, sticky overly-populated streets of NYC for the breezy wide open beaches of the Cape definitely revs up my motivation to exercise and this past weekend at the Cape was no exception. Walking with a companion is so much more fun than going at it alone- especially when that companion is your best friend! My sister, Christie and I, along with her adorable Boston Terrier puppy (cleverly named Boston) took long barefoot power walks on the beach and let me tell you, that sand really gives a girl a workout! My calves are still sore but it’s that good kind of pain that comes from knowing you stretched your body’s limits. Plus, walking with a friend is a great chance to catch up and stay connected. Of course, we rewarded ourselves for our hard work with a couple margaritas afterwards but, hey, we deserved them! Can’t wait to get back to the beaches and people I love so much just as soon as I can.

Danielle, Assistant Photo Editor

2007-07-09T07:20:00.001-07:00

One of my other passions, besides photography, is movie-watching. I can sit on my couch for hours and hours watching movies... One after another, after another, after another. I have even been dubbed the Netflix queen by some of my closest friends. The problem is that as much as I love spending my time curled up on the couch all day with my dog and a bag of Healthy Pop, I know it is not good for my health or well-being, especially when it is so gorgeous outside. It was evident that I had to make a change, but I knew that there was no way I could cut out movies altogether, so I made a deal with myself... I would allow myself to watch some movies as long as I would commit to taking time before and after each movie to take a walk. Since I have started this, I have been surprised at how much better I have been feeling, and how my weekends actually seem longer. My dog is loving the new system too!

Julie, Senior Food Editor

2007-07-05T06:04:00.000-07:00

Recently, I went on a week’s vacation to Block Island and then on to Disney World. Unlike usual vacations where I relax on the beach, this one was filled with exercise. On Block Island, I rented a bicycle and my friends and I spent most days covering about 7 to 10 miles into town and back. Once I moved on to Disney World, my days were filled with stroller-pushing mini-marathons with my three nephews, ages 7, 4 and 8-months. Happily, after hoofing it around Orlando for 31/2 days (plus the biking earlier in the week), I returned home to find that I had lost about 21/2 pounds. Now that’s what I call a working vacation!

Stephanie, Associate Editor

2007-07-03T06:53:00.001-07:00

This weekend my boyfriend and I traveled to Bermuda. It was amazing that such a short flight (only an hour-and-a-half from New York) could take us to a place that seemed like a world away! We couldn’t get over the turquoise waters, pink sands and friendly natives. We ate loads of fresh fish and enjoyed fruity drinks, but made sure to stay active to compensate for the delicious extra calories. After kayaking, swimming in the Atlantic, taking long walks on the beaches and biking all over the island (no small feat, considering the area’s windy roads and steep hills), I didn’t need to look at my pedometer to know that I’d snuck in plenty of exercise on my “vacation.”

Rachel, Editorial Assistant

2007-07-02T06:07:00.000-07:00

Over the past few weeks I have saved some major MONEY! The weather has been consistently warm, so I walk everywhere and the $$ that I used to spend on cabs on those super cold nights when there was no way I could walk to the subway is safe and sound in my bank account. That is until the summer concerts start and then we might have another issue. For now I’m saving money and staying fit!

Anna, Editorial Assistant

2007-06-29T07:59:00.001-07:00

This past weekend, I went to visit my parents in New Jersey and ran in an annual town race. The town sponsors a 1-mile fun run and a 4-mile run, and I always used to do the 1-mile growing up. This year, since I am all grown up, I did the 4-mile, and it was a lot of fun! The race course looped through my neighborhood, past my high school, and I saw a lot of friends and neighbors participating. I actually finished the first mile in seven minutes, which is way faster than my normal pace—I think I may have wanted to show off a little bit.

Next week, I’m off to Seattle to work as a volunteer camp counselor for a week—and, as anyone knows, chasing after kids can totally be considered cross-training.

Jennifer, Editorial Assistant

2007-06-28T06:31:00.001-07:00

I admit I haven't been that good about wearing my pedometer recently, but that hasn't stopped me from walking up a storm over the past few weeks. Now that summer has finally arrived I find myself walking home from work more often, taking leisurely strolls to a delicious cafe each Sunday to pick up coffee before walking to the river to read the paper, and many more examples I won't get into now. This past weekend was no exception. Saturday was quite possibly one of the most gorgeous days NY has seen in months—the sun was shining, the blue sky was speckled with fluffy clouds and I was walking! I actually chose this day to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge for the first time. A few friends joined me and we had a wonderful time enjoying the breeze, staring in awe at the view and pretending to be tourists. We were greeted by delicious pizza and ice cream on the other side of the river which made the long trek all the more worthwhile. What a wonderful summer day!

Michael, Associate Food Editor

2007-06-26T08:19:00.001-07:00

Seventy something degrees, sunny and dry-there wasn’t a single reason I could think of (I sure tried!) not to get up early each morning this past weekend and take a long walk. In addition, on Sunday there was plenty going on in the city between street fairs and parades, so walking was the way to go. I managed to clock in just less than 12 miles over the two days. I felt great- relaxed, yet at the same time energized. The Mexican dinner with friends that ended the weekend was well deserved. I didn’t feel the least bit guilty indulging in a huge Margarita and cheesy goopy enchiladas!

Jennifer, Managing Editor

2007-06-25T06:51:00.000-07:00

I've been walking regularly and I've noticed the faster I walk the better I feel—it's physically invigorating and also a great stress reducer. My husband and I walk together with our four-year-old and we really enjoy the quality time together. Even our little guy says he likes to walk with us, and he alternates between running ahead and begging for a shoulder ride when he gets too tired. I feel good that we're instilling healthy habits in him while we're all staying fit.

Gay, Senior Editor

2007-06-22T11:40:00.001-07:00

Still walking here, and feeling guilty when I don't, especially when the weather is fine and the dog (English Springer Spaniel) is totally antsy from lack of exercise and intellectual stimulation. The thing about a nice long walk is not only the physical fitness but the mental thing. Some people sort things out in the shower; for me it's when I walk, especially down this one road near me where there are still some open roads and even a farm where there are sheep and another where there are horses. (Or at least there used to be; it's been a couple of months since I walked that far down the road; for all I know there's a bunch of MacMansions where there used to be fields.)

Anyway, mind tangles often sort themselves out. I'll bet it has something to do with the rhythm of the walking. Once in awhile (not often enough) my best friend Karen and I take a long walk down that road and sort things out. (She lives in my neighborhood; how lucky is that?) I always return feeling like I've had a mini-vacation--rush-rush brain slowed nicely, blood pumping, muscles all tingly and alive-feeling.

You know what else is on that road? A shrine to a kid who was killed a couple years ago in a one-car accident. His car went out of control and he hit a tree. I pause and look at all those mementos, put there by his heartbroken friends and family, and let the gratitude wash over me that, for today, I'm healthy and so are my kids and husband. Don't mean to be a downer but death is part of life and for me, remembering that I'm not going to be on earth forever makes me appreciate the day more.

I'm starting to inspire myself! I think I will take the dog and go for a good long walk as soon as I can.

Cindy, Assistant Food Editor

2007-06-21T09:28:00.001-07:00

I was lucky enough to run the AHA 5K recently with my Family Circle colleagues, and it has really inspired me to get out there and keep competing! Finishing that race was so satisfying – I really felt like I’d accomplished something. So when one of my oldest friends approached me about walking a half marathon in September with her, I was intrigued. She had her 2nd baby 2 1/2 months ago, and I’d love to be able to do this with her. Wearing the pedometer has been a constant reminder of how much walking I do on a daily basis, so a half marathon can’t be that much more difficult, right? Right?

Darcy, Articles Editor

2007-06-20T08:43:00.001-07:00

We’ve been having so many rush-rush weekends of late—the kind where you find yourself on Sunday night looking around and wondering where the weekend went. But a few Sundays ago we finally had a breather, partly due to the end of Little League, partly to just feeling the merry-go-round feeling had to end. So we did one of my favorite things: turned NYC into our little hometown. We walked from the east 70s to the carousel in Central Park, then pitstopped at the penguins, polar bears and seals at the Central Park Zoo (perfectly sized for a short visit). We headed back home through the street fair that had set itself up on a nearby avenue. The kids got balloons, we shared some lemonades and picked up some pulled pork sandwiches for a quick outdoor lunch before heading home.

Stephanie, Associate Editor

2007-06-15T06:33:00.001-07:00

I admit it: I’m a slacker. My fitness progress has come to a grinding halt over the last two weeks because of work, events related to work and—okay, I admit it—a lot of fun entirely UNrelated to work! There just doesn’t seem to be enough time in the day to do everything I want to do. If I plan to work out at lunch, all of a sudden a lunch meeting will pop up out of nowhere. If I want to head to the gym after work, dinner plans magically appear. Luckily, this weekend is looking relatively unscheduled, so I’m going to grab my sneaks and get moving! No excuses!

Jonna, Senior Editor

2007-06-14T13:19:00.000-07:00

My husband worked a night-shift job for a long time, so I was totally on my own with my son in the evenings—and when you walk with a toddler, it’s impossible to build up any momentum before you stop to peer intently at a rock, or a snail, or a fire hydrant, or someone’s carelessly discarded trash. Now that my other half is working days, I’m grabbing the opportunity to take a “real” walk a couple of evenings a week—by myself, iPod on, arms swinging, with the goal of getting my heart pounding. It’s great to sweat! I’d love to do more than twice a week, but for now, I’m happy taking what I can get. Gotta start somewhere.

Dori, Editorial Assistant

2007-06-06T14:21:00.000-07:00

I am one of the lucky New Yorkers who lives in walking distance to my office. Unless it is freezing cold, raining or too hot, I enjoy my 20 minute walks to and from work everyday. It wakes me up in the morning and relaxes me at the end of the day. It’s about a mile each way, and as long as I have comfortable shoes, I am good to go!

Betty, Executive Editor

2007-06-05T06:52:00.000-07:00

What's with the 85-degree weather here in NYC? I love the warmth. But it doesn't make me want to cook after a long day at work. So last night I met my kids and babysitter at the park on the way home from the office. We hung out at the playground for a little while before meeting up with Daddy at home and then strolling to a nearby Cuban restaurant for dinner. It felt like summer and I love being outside when the weather's nice. The walk was probably about 2 miles in all and a great way to burn off the rice and beans!

Cindy, Assistant Food Editor

2007-06-04T13:09:00.000-07:00

I live in a town that's 1 mile square. Didn't occur to me what that actually meant until I was supposed to meet friends all the way on the other side last Sunday to watch a game. Luckily, the weather was nice and everyone seemed to be outside enjoying it, so it was a fun, interesting walk, to say the least. However, it was all the more interesting to be wearing my pedometer and seeing what walking a mile from start to finish actually felt like - and I had the pedometer to prove it!

Michael, Associate Food Editor

2007-06-01T13:10:00.001-07:00

My pedometer is never home alone since I never leave the house without it. Even chores around the apartment or in the country add to the total so I often wear it during all waking hours. Since the weather turned a few weeks ago, the goal to increase my daily total from 3 plus miles to at least 5 has been met or exceeded. These new walking habits are here to stay; I feel better and am saving money on cabs and bus fares. This evening I am planning to walk to Lincoln Center after work and am hoping it doesn't rain. We need the rain but my walking comes first!

Tina, Photo Director

2007-05-31T06:03:00.001-07:00

Although I haven't been wearing a pedometer, I have been taking advantage of the warmer weather. Instead of hitting the gym as usual, this past Saturday I joined two of my friends for a walk along the Hudson River. We started at 57th street and walked all the way to Battery Park, which is nearly 5 miles! Walking to and from work has also allowed me to log an additional 2 miles each way. Who needs the subway anyway?

Danielle, Assistant Photo Editor

2007-05-30T05:47:00.001-07:00

The past few weeks since my last post have been quite a whirlwind. After my wedding on May 5th, I was off to Maui, but unlike a few of my previous getaways, I didn't just sit by the pool all day and drink tropical drinks... Okay, maybe there was a bit of that :) ... but mostly, the hubby and I opted to keep active by walking along beaches (including a black sand beach) and exploring the island (and even did a bit of hula dancing), rather than just sitting around, especially after the 15 hours of sedentary travel time it took us to get there. On our walks, especially along the winding road to Hana, we ended up finding some beautiful locations, including countless waterfalls, and even a breathtaking view from the opening scene of Jurassic Park. Thankfully though, the most dangerous animals we actually encountered, were some sleepy peacocks.

Bethany, Associate Health Editor

2007-05-29T05:47:00.000-07:00

I recently visited my totally adorable, extremely energetic 4-year-old niece and almost 2-year-old nephew in Boston. Kids are so active! And while I was chasing after them, I logged some serious steps. I was basically just go, go, going from when they woke up (at 7am) to when they went to bed (at 8pm). We played tag, hide & seek and hopscotch; took walks around the neighborhood; went to soccer practice; built a fort; rode bikes and scooters; and went to a museum. Needless to say, my bedtime wasn't much later than theirs, because I was exhausted after playing with them.

Paula, Senior Editor

2007-05-25T05:52:00.000-07:00

Walking/jogging in the park this weekend, I stopped to enjoy the plum blossoms. By now most all those beautiful little pink and white petals are on the ground in these big drifts, which makes me smile just to see them and feel them so soft and lovely underfoot (my weary soles are also grateful). Then a breeze kicked up, sending a shower of the few tree blossoms remaining all around me. One of life's perfect little moments.

Jonna, Senior Editor

2007-05-24T10:12:00.000-07:00

I've fallen off the pedometer wagon—but even without my electronic motivation, I'm still finding myself eager to walk whenever possible. Years ago, when the whole Power Walk thing was taking off, I was so on it. I dressed in coordinated outfits, bought the sneakers, pumped my arms, the whole bit. Now, not so much…I do wear good sneakers because I have back problems that plague me from time to time, so walking in my beloved flip-flops is ill-advised. But I'm less concerned about my outfit and whether I'm truly 'working it.' If I'm outside roaming around with my son, I'm happy. He usually sweet-talks me into a kiddie cup of ice cream at our local shop, which just opened for the summer. (I don't get one for myself, but does anyone fault me for filching just one bite of his?) Anyway, between the exercise and the treat, he comes home tired and happy, a great combo for a boy turning 3 in August.

Jennifer, Editorial Assistant

2007-05-23T02:07:00.000-07:00

Have you been walking recently? The family Circle staff certainly has! Yesterday we left the office a little early, put on matching red Family Circle shirts, strapped on our iPods and headed downtown to the American Heart Association 2007 Start! Wall Street Run and Heart Walk. The route zigzagged 3.1 miles through downtown Manhattan and had a few small hills that pushed us even harder. Some of our staffers power walked, others took a leisurely stroll and some took off running and soon as the starting horn went off. We all had a wonderful time and were able to raise money for a great cause. Check out the official times for our runners below—not bad!

Betty – 27:26
Darcy – 30:32
Meg – 26.52
Sue – 24:34
Siobhan – 26:24
Tracy – 29:17
Bethany – 27:33
Stephanie – 25:43
Christine – 21:13
Melissa – 27:37
Cindy – 27:31
Anna – 26:02
Rachel – 30:35
Jill – 28:00
Micaela – 27:35

To participate in AHA walks and other events in your area visit www.americanheart.org.

Susanah, Assistant Managing Editor

2007-05-22T08:32:00.000-07:00

My husband’s birthday was last week—Happy Birthday Gary!—and we were meeting at a restaurant downtown for a big-fat-steak dinner. I had some time to kill beforehand, so I decided to walk the 20-or-so blocks rather than sit on my butt at the office and then jump on the subway. The weather was amazing, and walking really gave the chance to appreciate it. And close to my destination I came across a beautiful little park that I had sort of forgotten was even there. I still had some time, so I sat in the grass and read my book. I guess I could have kept walking, but sometimes you’ve just got to sit in the grass!

Betty, Executive Editor

2007-05-21T05:57:00.000-07:00

Anybody out there thinking about running a marathon? I've been toying with the idea but don't know what abuse all the training will do to my knees. On Mother's Day morning, I ran a 10-mile race in Central Park. It was a gorgeous, sunny, breezy spring morning--perfect condition for running. I ran it at a faster pace than usual, finishing in 1 hour, 36 minutes. I felt pretty good afterward but that night started feeling that nagging ache in my knees. I think I'll stick with half-marathons and shorter distances for now. Running a 5K next week! Hope you're all reaching your fitness goals and continuing to challenge yourselves.

Katie, Editorial Assistant

2007-05-18T09:36:00.000-07:00

I spent this past weekend in Newport, R.I. in honor of my brother's college graduation (it also happened to encompass Mother's Day and my Dad's Birthday). I've got to say- sitting in a car for 4 hours motivates a girl to get out and get active! Although the weekend was filled with delicious, majorly guilt-inducing meals, a wine tasting (also great but not helping the backside), and lots of sitting (a 2 hour Mass and 3 hour graduation) I was able to jog a few miles along the breathtaking Newport Harbor both Friday and Saturday and got such an awesome runner's high, I didn't think twice about my Dad's birthday cake.

Gay, Senior Editor

2007-05-16T09:38:00.000-07:00

I wish every day was Mother's Day. It's one of the few days of the year I let myself be truly, deeply selfish and self-indulgent. I blew off the first part of my usual Sunday routine, attending the early half of a worship service, and went to the beach instead. I live only 20 minutes away but mostly go only when I have company from landlocked towns. But Sunday I packed up the dog, some poop bags and drinking water, put on my silly blue hat with the fuzzy flower and put on an extra jacket and off we went to Sandy Hook. It was just me, the dog and a half dozen surf fishermen. I (gasp) let her off the leash and she chased sea gulls (no animals were harmed during this walk) and their shadows (she's not especially discriminating) and logged nearly two miles on the sand. It was sooo relaxing. I'm reminded of something I know but often forget--I have to make taking care of myself a priority or it just ain't happenin'. (In the afternoon I took a nap--but no miles were logged during it.)

Jennifer, Editorial Assistant

2007-05-14T15:08:00.000-07:00

I spent the past weekend dog-sitting Ivry, the most adorable 6-month-old lab you have ever seen. But there was a catch—this dog doesn’t like to go for walks! Have you ever heard of such a thing? It was a gorgeous weekend here in New York. The sun was shining, there was a nice breeze blowing off of the Hudson and birds were singing. OK, I don’t really know if birds were singing, but if my life were a movie they totally would be. Basically, it was the perfect weekend to walk a dog. Unfortunately, my dog didn’t agree. She would stand on the sidewalk outside of the apartment with her front paws stretched out, firm to the ground and refused to budge. To coax her, I got down to her level and encouraged her to come forward. It worked—we moved a whole four feet! So back down I went to coax her again. This went on for a few blocks until we made it to the river. As soon as the grass was between her paws and the breeze was blowing on her face Ivry got over whatever was holding her back and actually started to enjoy her walk. From time to time I think we can all feel like Ivry, not wanting to get out there and get moving. In the end, though, it’s usually worth it. So the next time you’re standing there with your “paws” to the ground not wanting to move forward push through whatever is holding you back and make yourself walk. You’ll probably be glad you did.

Bethany, Associate Health Editor

2007-05-09T13:32:00.000-07:00

Today is the first really gorgeous day we've had in ages. It's 80 degrees! If that's not motivation to get walking (in addition to the hot dog and beer I downed at the Yankee's game last night), I don't know what is. So I'm walking the two miles home instead of taking the bus tonight.

Julie, Senior Food Editor

2007-05-08T09:56:00.000-07:00

This past week, I took a short business trip. I drove to the airport and parked, then walked to my terminal instead of taking the shuttle bus. It only took about 10 minutes, and gained me about 1/2 a mile extra distance for the day. Small changes such as these help keep my mileage on the up and up—and are easy to do now that the weather is improving.

Paula, Senior Editor

2007-05-07T15:21:00.000-07:00

Walking begets more walking, more stairs instead of escalators/elevators, and...jogging and friendship. Taking advantage of the marvelous spring weather this weekend, I walk/jogged around the central park reservoir twice (3.2 miles) on Sat and Sun and felt no pain, just gain--emotionally, psychologically, olfactory (smelling the cherry blossoms). And just as I was bemoaning the absence of horses in the park because of the recent closing of Claremont Stables—I ended up buying a Claremont horse 10 yrs ago and used to ride in the park every weekend—I bumped into an old friend who worked there, who also gave me the number of another old friend who used to work there, who I plan to visit this weekend out in new jersey.

Rachel, Editorial Assistant

2007-05-04T02:24:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was beautiful and my birthday! During lunch a few of my coworkers and I went to our favorite Tex Mex place--10 blocks. To keep lunch an hour long, we were speed walking to and from. I definitely worked up an appetite walking to the restaurant. Even though we had a hefty lunch and wanted to take a nap, the walk back to work, with the sun shining on our faces, gave us a quick energy boost to keep us going until 6. I also got to go out for a nice birthday dinner and it was over a mile to the restaurant, but since it was so nice out we hoofed it. My feet were kind of killing, but I had to wear heels on my bday!

Paula, Senior Editor

2007-05-02T09:13:00.000-07:00

I admit I haven't been wearing my pedometer lately. But using it for a couple weeks did get me into a good groove and made me mindful of walking whenever I have the option. Sneaking in a little here and there really does add up. My building elevator was recently on the fritz for 2 weeks, and I got used to walking up four flights. It’s fixed now--and I’m actually a little sad about it. But I now walk up the stairs whenever I’m not carrying a heavy load like groceries. Also, I used to take the escalator up this long flight of 80-odd stairs in my subway station--partly to give me time to read the newspaper. But now I walk up the escalator. Eventually my goal is to walk up those stairs—and leave the paper until lunch.

Jennifer, Editorial Assistant

2007-05-01T09:02:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday I had what I like to call “Dance Party Madness” with a few friends. Basically, it involves us cranking up the tunes and singing and dancing our hearts out until we are too tired to move. But, much to my dismay, I noticed that my pedometer was not recording some of my fancy moves as steps. Granted, I am not such a gifted dancer, but I feel my efforts should count for something. While reading through blog posts I noticed that one of our readers also wanted to convert her cycling to steps, so I knew I wasn’t alone in feeling cheated out of steps. I began poking around on the web and found a nifty conversion calculator on the Walk4Life website. It will convert everything from carrying logs (hopefully I won’t need to use this one!) to riding a bicycle. And yes, it will convert my dancing too. Apparently, 1 hour of strenuous dancing is equivalent to walking 8,400 steps! While carrying logs for the same amount of time would have given me 10,560 steps, I think I had a lot more fun cutting a rug. I may need to make “Dance Party Madness” a regular weekend activity.

Visit Walk4Life.com and click on the Activity Converter Calculator (in the left column) to see how many steps your activities are worth. If you still haven’t ordered your pedometer don’t forget to take advantage of their special offer just for Family Circle readers and receive 50% off any pedometer.

Anna, Editorial Assistant

2007-04-30T01:22:00.000-07:00

This weekend, I found myself unexpectedly pounding the pavement in search of a new apartment to rent. I finally decided on one that is about 3.5 miles from my new apartment--but a world away from my old neighborhood, which is always loud and bustling and where the employees at the corner coffee shop all know my name and sometime sign for my packages. This new neighborhood is quieter, a little more settled, much closer to Central Park, and much more anonymous. Once I had made my decision, I ended up walking back to my old apartment. I kept meaning to get on the bus, but I never got around to it. I loved seeing the fabric of the city weave together, to see how the buildings, the stores, the feeling of the streets seemed to change every 10 blocks or so. It was late afternoon, the trees were budding, there were a bunch of teenagers congregating outside the movie theater, sidewalk cafes were filling up with groups of friends or couples on dates, buses were awkwardly heaving down the avenues, dog leashes were getting tangled into each other, and I loved the luxury of taking the time to notice these details to make me feel at home.

Rachel, Editorial Assistant

2007-04-27T15:07:00.000-07:00

Everyone at Family Circle has been on such a health kick lately—and it’s great! First, it was the start of the walking challenge and everyone was taking lunchtime strolls to add mileage to their pedometer, then several FC staffers went on this diet that will be featured in an upcoming issue. But, once the walking challenge is over and we’re done testing the diet, will people just return to their old eating and exercise habits? I really don’t think so. I’ve always considered myself healthy but I definitely took away some tips. For instance, in order to stay in shape you must walk at least 5 miles a day and in terms of dieting, it’s not about limiting calories it’s about making sure you have the right balance of protein, carbs and fat to keep you full for longer. You might consider this time consuming, but one thing I’ve started doing is tearing out the walking workouts from each issue and putting them in a binder and when the diet comes out I’ll be able to tear out the weekly menus and add them to the collection. In case I ever find myself in need of workout shake up or a treat that doesn’t consist of a roll of cookie dough, I’ll just flip through my binder.

Kara, Designer

2007-04-26T11:11:00.000-07:00

I've been a very competitive person since I was a kid; so I surprised myself when I didn't run out the door instantly trying to run up those miles on my new pedometer. It ended up being very good timing that my boyfriend and I moved to a new apartment. Not only did this include lots of packing, multiple trips back and forth, loading and unloading (imagine if this pedometer could count calorie burn!) but it also involved more mileage covered in Ikea than I think anyone I know could compete with :-) Those treks through the largest store I've ever seen still haven't ended, to my boyfriend's dismay. However, I don't think shopping, no matter how vigorous, counts as real exercise unfortunately. So this past weekend we went on a great hike. It was only 4 miles but it had an 850 ft. altitude gain in the first mile and a half... so it was good and strenuous. I think those miles are much more rewarding. Until the next hike, I will be going out of my way to take long-cuts and detours :-) It's really surprising the difference it makes when you put in a little extra effort.

Wendy, Associate Home Editor

2007-04-25T09:02:00.000-07:00

I recently traveled to Spain for nine days. I visited Madrid, Toledo, Jaen, Granada, Nijar, Cartagona, Valencia, Tarragona and Barcelona. Despite cloudy weather and some rain nearly everyday, I walked each city’s maze-like streets to discover historic architecture and remote cafes. I set a goal before I left to walk at least five miles per day since I average about two and a half miles on a daily basis in New York, but I actually ended up walking a lot more. I didn’t want to miss any of the non-touristy gems, so I found myself forgoing the convenience of cabs and tour buses to journey on foot. I had a great tour book that offered a walking tour in every town I stopped in, and I took full advantage of these. Of course, I rewarded myself with a few guilty pleasures. I found a delicious café tucked away on a tiny street in Madrid where they served piping hot churros (a Spanish donut) with a cup of melted chocolate for dipping. It was heavenly, so I indulged in a heaping serving, then walked it off.

Danielle, Assistant Photo Editor

2007-04-24T09:10:00.000-07:00

I have a confession to make... I'm a total emotional eater. The moment I start to feel stressed, upset, or insecure, I reach for comfort food, or pretty much any food in sight. But with my wedding being less than two weeks away, and me finally approaching the healthy weight range for my height, the last thing I want to do is pack on the pounds, and mess up the progress I have been making. So, I have made some minor changes that are having a major impact.

In addition to stocking up on healthy snacks (carrot sticks, grapes, yogurt, etc), and not keeping food items around that I wouldn't want to eat in such a state, I am starting to get into the habit of going for a walk when I start to feel triggered. Even if I just go for an extra walk around the block with my dog, it really seems to do the trick. Although the stress or negative feelings may not totally be gone, I find myself feeling more relaxed, and confident knowing that I have taken control over something that I felt controlled me for so long... and I get the added bonus of logging extra miles on my pedometer!

Linda, Editor in Chief

2007-04-23T09:18:00.000-07:00

With the relentlessly cold, rainy spring weather I was worried about keeping up my walking workouts—it’s hard for me to get motivated to walk outside in bad weather and nearly impossible to get my kids out there. So I decided to buy a treadmill. It’s a NordicTrack ViewPoint 3000 and I love it. It’s fairly compact and very easy to use. It has a 7-inch cable/DVD-ready flat screen TV (so I can walk while watching the morning news or keep up with Grey’s Anatomy at night), a music port to connect my iPod, speakers, and a cool feature called “iFit” which utilizes special flash memory cards that automatically adjust the treadmill’s incline and speed. The iFit system also works as a personal trainer to motivate me through my workout with tips on correct breathing, good posture, and more. With the treadmill I have no problem reaching at least 10,000 steps and day and no excuses not to walk. My three kids are hooked—often fighting over who gets to use the treadmill! And my husband, who never thought he could get a tough enough workout by walking on a treadmill, realized he was wrong and loves it too.

Stephanie, Associate Editor

2007-04-20T09:00:00.000-07:00

I feel like it's been gray forever. Every day I check weather.com so I know what to wear and it just says "cold." Or maybe, to spice things up, "cold and windy." It's also been rainy for days. Days! My workouts take place underground in the gym because the weather outside is just too gross. But it seems there may be some light on the horizon: sunlight, that is. This weekend, just in time for Earth Day celebrations, it's supposed to be lovely. Springlike! According to weather.com, Saturday’s outlook is "sunny with a high of 68 degrees." This means I don't have to be sequestered inside on the treadmill anymore. This means I can go outside and walk in Central Park. This means I can actually feel like spring has sprung. At last! Finally. Here comes the sun.

Anna, Editorial Assistant

2007-04-19T10:22:00.000-07:00

When I was in high school, my mom had a rule that if I was mad at her, we could only talk about it after my swim practice. She knew my high-strung tendencies all too well and knew that, for me, I need time to diffuse the situation. For the most part, I'm much more even tempered, but when I get mad, before I start an argument or say things I might regret, I need to think--and sweat--it out at the gym. I've become so well conditioned to the fact that physical activity reduces stress for me that I actually make sure to schedule extra time for the gym during extra busy weeks. Case in point: this morning was a typical rushed morning, I couldn't find my keys, and I left the apartment 15 minutes later than I meant to. I was already frazzled when I got to the bus stop, which was completely crowded. Instead of waiting for the bus and the inevitable jostling, I walked to the subway--about half a mile from my apartment. Even though it took 15 minutes, I feel like what it saved (my sanity!) was immeasurable.

Rachel, Editorial Assistant

2007-04-18T09:50:00.000-07:00

I still love my pedometer, but now I have a new motivation to get outside for a walk—company. Honestly, it makes such a difference. Last Friday was free scoop day at Baskin-Robbins and even though it was cold and windy outside a few of the editors and myself gathered up the courage to take a brisk walk to get a scoop 4 blocks away. Yes, we were getting ice cream, but we were also walking so the calories consumed cancelled out the calories burned, right? Well even if it didn’t we had a blast on our work break, enjoyed a little treat, and increased our mileage on those pedometers. Next time you need a break from work, gather the troops and head outside, whether it’s for a treat or to gossip.

Gay, Senior Editor

2007-04-17T09:07:00.000-07:00

I don't need to lose weight, thank goodness. But like most folks I do have to be careful. I find I'm worrying a little less about my weight. Knowing I'm in the habit of taking those extra steps helps me relax. As long as I keep eating moderate amounts of healthy foods, and keep moving the bod, I know I'll be fine.

Jennifer, Editorial Assistant

2007-04-16T09:31:00.000-07:00

Some boots are made for walking, but pointy, back, leather, slingbacks with a 3.5-inch heel certainly are not. Unfortunately, I learned that the hard way this past weekend. I’ve been participating in the walking challenge for a few weeks now, but haven’t been pushing myself as much as I would like to. So, I decided that my two feet were going to be my only mode of transportation from the time I left work on Friday until the time I jumped into bed Sunday night. I got off to a rough start since I forgot to bring shoes to change in to after work, but I managed to walk over 40 blocks and four flights of stairs to get to my home in my fabulous, yet painful shoes. No pain, no gain—right? With more sensible shoes the rest of the weekend went smoothly, I stumbled upon a Scottish parade, found a fantastic pickle store while running errands ,and managed to log more than 15 miles!

I’m lucky that I live in a city where walking is a feasible mode of transportation, but even if I lived elsewhere I may be more inclined to walk now, just to see what fun, new places and things might be waiting for me around the corner.

Cindy, Assistant Food Editor

2007-04-13T09:20:00.000-07:00

Wearing this pedometer, I am constantly amazed at how all of my insignificant daily responsibilities are further away than I thought! Just doing the laundry around the corner (multiple trips) on a recent Sunday had me walking a full half-mile. Grocery shopping followed, and the indecision that had me walking up and down the aisles added up to an additional third of a mile. So I guess I should be thankful that I'm not incredibly wealthy and have an assistant to do my daily bidding, as she'd be the one getting fit, not me!

Anna, Editorial Assistant

2007-04-12T10:44:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday, I walked to run practice, as per usual. When I got there and changed into my running gear, I just didn't feel good--I had a blister on my foot, was more than a little distracted by a lot of nagging things that I need to get done, and it was cold. I was about to walk out without going to practice at all when one of the employees at the running shop where I leave my stuff stopped me. He asked where I was going, and I told him the truth (that spending the hour in the Border's next door browsing through the magazine rack sounded MUCH more appealing). Instead of letting me go, he took my jacket hostage and told me I had to at least try for 2 minutes--if I still wasn't feeling it, I could leave AND he would give me my jacket back.

So, I didn't really have too much of a choice and headed outside. I ended up only running about 2 and a half miles before stopping--I honestly still didn't feel great and couldn't get my mind off my blister, the cold or all the tasks I still had left to do. I'm glad I went out and I'm also glad I listened to my body--I know it wasn't a failure not to go the full five miles and that something is better than nothing. Generally, I think I will apply this sort of thinking to all of my workout routines: if I'm on the fence about going out or not, I'll get changed and begin. If I honestly still don't feel good, then I can totally take the day off, guilt free.

Gay, Senior Editor

2007-04-11T09:12:00.000-07:00

Amazing! Another great development. Couple days ago I decided, on the heels of several 5 mile days, that I'd aim for six. I was staying in town to talk to a friend's writing class and NYU and decided to walk everywhere. By the end of the night I had walked 7.66 miles! I still can't believe it.

Riki, Research Editor

2007-04-10T09:26:00.000-07:00

It doesn’t surprise me that I walk between 2.5 and 3 miles a day. I live in the city without a car. I walk to the subway, to work, to get lunch, to take a break. I have a dog that gets a walk three times a day. Every errand requires at least a two or three block trek. And, I while away most weekend days walking around and discovering what new sites and stores have sprung up in my neighborhood when my head was turned.

What did surprise me was how little walking I did when I visited my parents in suburban Pennsylvania over a few days during Passover. One day, I did less than half a mile. At the end of the day that’s exactly how I felt: apathetic and tired. I didn’t feel like walking my dog or doing anything physical. So my second day, after my mom asked me what I wanted for lunch, I decided to walk to the local shopping center for some sandwiches instead of driving. It was not a long walk by any means. But the lack of people out that day was testament to how little exercise people get in the suburbs. It was about 80-degrees, and a Sunday. I didn’t see any kids playing outside, and only saw one or two other walkers and bikers. After returning to my mother’s house with the sandwiches, she told me she forgot to ask if I would pick up some groceries at the same shopping center. I could have taken her car. It was about a half hour walk to and back, but less than a 5 minutes drive. It was so beautiful that I decided to walk again. I clocked much less than 2 miles that day—and that was when I made an effort.

Taking a look at how much I actually walk on a daily basis these past few months may not have increased my walking by much. But now whenever the city gets under my skin and I wonder if maybe I would be happier with a driveway and a car, I know exactly what will happen: I’ll walk a whole lot less. I enjoy walks around my neighborhood too much for that to happen.

Nancy Weinberg Simon, Beauty Editor

2007-04-09T09:18:00.000-07:00

I'm the first to admit that I'm no techie—I use a filofax, not a blackberry and I have an ipod but don't even know how to add any songs. It took me years to get a cell phone (only for emergencies) and my best friends don't even know my number! So, I'm sure you can imagine that when I was asked to wear this little gadget, I wasn't too excited. To be honest, I didn't think it would affect my fitness level at all. Well, after wearing it for one day I was shocked I'd logged a disappointing 1.83 miles, and this was a very typical day for me. I commute to work in the city daily and raise two young children on the outskirts of town so I'm used to driving everywhere. My exercise was crammed into the gym on the weekends. Clearly something had to change. I needed to find little ways to get my fitness number up, away from the embarrassing less than 2 miles per day. And then it hit me. I needed to ditch the car! I found that if I walk to and from the train station from my home and then to and from the office from Penn Station in the city I easily clock in at just under five miles, effortlessly. And the beauty of it is that it takes the same amount of time as driving and parking and taking subways once I'm in NY—and it even saves me $140 a month. Definitely a win-win situation.

Gay, Senior Editor

2007-04-06T09:08:00.000-07:00

Last time, I wrote about how it takes 21 days to form a new habit. Today I put that to the test. I forgot to put on the pedometer in my rush to get out the door this morning. But, based on the weeks of using the pedometer, I felt propelled to walk across town rather than take the subway, even if I couldn't watch the miles ticking up. So the pedometer did its job in getting me to make better choices, even without hanging from my waistband.

Danielle, Assistant Photo Editor

2007-04-05T15:32:00.000-07:00

My pedometer and I went to Las Vegas last weekend for my cousin's wedding. I was concerned that such a trip would get in the way of the progress I have been making, but it actually had the opposite affect. Having my pedometer with me really kept me on track and focused, even though I was far from home and surrounded by luscious food and drinks the entire time. I was surprised to learn that I actually ended up losing weight by the end of the trip, instead of the weight gain or plateau that I expected. I clocked in at 15.99 miles for my 3 day trip, and I barely left the hotel. It's amazing, but just walking from one end of a hotel to the other and back again can really be a good workout, not to mention walking through airports, and dancing the night away at a wedding! And yes, I even had it on during the rehearsal dinner and the wedding.

Anna, Editorial Assistant

2007-04-04T11:42:00.000-07:00

Confession: Although I consider myself pretty fit, I have NEVER been a runner. But, I've always admired people who actually believed running was fun. For me, running is anything but fun--it's sweaty, makes it hard for me to breathe, and I feel like I'm never going fast enough. I remember, one time, when I was 10 or 11, I entered a 1-mile fun run in my town, which gave out medals for every age group. I was absolutely determined to win a medal for the 12-and-under age group. Nothing else mattered. I sprinted as fast as possible, but ended up just shy of third place. After the run, I told my mother, in between gasping for breaths, that I would NEVER run again. Too hard!

Fast forward to the present. Last year, I decided to do a triathlon to raise money to support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, which required me to run a 10K--after a 1 mile swim and a 25 mile bike ride. And I did it--(and did pretty well, if I do say so myself in 3 hours and 12 minutes)--while raising over $2,500 in sponsorships from friends and family. Not only that, but I actually had FUN--even during the last mile. This year, I've gotten competitive with myself. I am planning on raising over $3,000 AND going under 3 hours. So, to shave minutes off my time, I need to tackle the running. I just did a 10K in Central Park on Sunday, and, I'll admit it, it's sometimes hard for me to do these things knowing I won't be THE BEST, and, unlike my tiny town's fun run, there's not even a CHANCE of placing. Still, my times are getting better and knowing that I can take on a challenge is awesome.

Karmen, Creative Director

2007-04-03T11:54:00.000-07:00

After brunch on Sunday my friends and I--9 of us--walked from 2nd street and 1st Ave to 27th street and 3rd Avenue for Karaoke at Japas 27! I sang "Champagne Supernova," "I Wanna be Adored," and "Hot Child in the City" and burned 180 calories walking. How many calories does Karaoke burn?

Jonna, Senior Editor

2007-04-02T11:29:00.000-07:00

My son was being especially charming this morning, and I admit, I lingered over saying goodbye; for some reason, it was harder today than usual. The extra couple minutes of hugs and kisses cost me my 8am bus, which I saw whiz by as I was walking down the street. It's 20 minutes until the next one, so normally when this happens, I go back home and use the snippet of time to throw in laundry or wash dishes or pay the bills online, some tedious 10-minute task. As a full-time working mom, you kind of have to be that much of a time utilizer. But today, I decided to use the time to walk as far as I could and catch the bus further down the line. Knowing my pedometer was faithfully tracking my steps, it wasn't a tough decision. I got in a 20-minute walk before 8:30 am, and I felt good about it. My next plan is to reorganize my morning slightly, so that I can walk to a farther-away bus stop on purpose at least a couple mornings a week. I'm really getting into this "found" exercise thing.

Julie, Senior Food Editor

2007-03-30T09:55:00.000-07:00

Here in the food department, it is easy for your weight to get away from you. On average, we taste 6 recipes a day, and all of them taste so good that I want more! Once challenged to walk, I found an easy way to increase my mileage was by walking to work. One of the ways I was surprised by this challenge was how much distance I cover just around the office. My computer is located far enough away from the Test Kitchen that I log a tenth of a mile on the roundtrip! I try to be efficient with my trips, but find myself logging about a mile daily running back and forth. I definitely am trying whenever possible to take the "long way around" and up my distance. My daily high to date? 7.3 miles.

Anna, Editorial Assistant

2007-03-29T09:38:00.000-07:00

Every Tuesday, I have running practice in Central Park for a triathlon I'm training for. While practice totally ups my miles and leaves me in a good mood, getting there is always frustrating. It's about a mile and a half away to where practice starts, involving taking two different subways that invariably leaves me feeling rushed and in a bad mood. So, now, especially with the warmer weather, I've started walking to practice--and found it's an AMAZING warm-up that provides a great transition from work. Not only that, but it was great to "find" a walk--not having to schedule it or think about it, but doing it for a functional purpose--I needed to get from the office to the park somehow. And it was SO stress reducing! The temperature was in the beautiful mid-70's and everyone on the street seemed to be in a good mood--I hope everyone doing the Walking Challenge is enjoying spring!

And everyone at FC seems to have race fever! Betty and Meg's half-marathon experience inspired me so much I'm doing a 10K this Sunday. Wish me luck!

Gay, Senior Editor

2007-03-28T07:45:00.000-07:00

This pedometer/walking thing is so much fun--it gets better and better. I find myself checking it regularly--last night just before I was set to crawl into bed, I noted that I was at 4.99 miles. Nothing to do but pace a few more steps, back and forth there in the bedroom and roll the numbers over to that lovely 5.00. I'm proud to say that this recovering couch potato has logged four (count 'em!) 5-mile days in the past two weeks. I've also discovered that karate kicks (great for the buns) register as steps. So there I was in the kitchen at 9:30 last night, doing 15 front-kicks with each leg while catching the end American Idol. (Melinda Doolittle gave me chills--again--that girl can SING!)

Here's the best part of the walking challenge, though--we know from science that it takes 21 days to create a new habit, and I find that adding a few steps here, a half mile there, walking instead of riding, really is getting to be the norm for me. Already I'm seeing tons of benefits: I'm feeling more energetic during the day and sleeping better at night. I'm also excited to learn about new research showing that aerobic exercise actually improves brain function. Sounds good to me!

Meg, Health Editor

2007-03-27T09:07:00.000-07:00

After Betty talked me into doing the half-marathon with her (Thank you, Betty!), I decided to rope one more person into the plan. My mother! At 60, she had never done any sort of “race” before. She doesn’t run, but does like to go hiking in the summer. But she lives in upstate New York and so has been cooped up indoors for most of the winter (except for a few jaunts out on snowshoes!).

She was hesitant when I asked her to take on 13.1 miles. She said she’d see what she could do. She headed to the local sports center in her town and began walking the track—18 times around for a mile.

One day she called me to report that she had done 3 miles. I tried to react positively, but I had to admit that walking the same loop 54 times sounded to me like one thing—misery!! But she kept at it—doing some of her training on the track and some on a treadmill.

When race day came around I told her that it would be okay if she could only do seven miles. After I completed my 13 miles in just under 2 hours, I hugged my dad, husband, daughter, dog, brother, sister-in-law and niece—all who came out to cheer us on! They reported that they had spotted my mother at mile 6 and she was looking strong. I was so excited to hear this news. I looped back and met up with my mom at about mile 11 and walked the final two miles with her. She looked terrific and began telling me about how she was going to get her friend Liz to walk the race with her next year.

When I crossed the finish line I felt good, but watching my mother cross the finish line made me feel GREAT!

Betty, Executive Editor

2007-03-26T13:12:00.000-07:00

Yippee! I finished my first half-marathon yesterday in 2 hours, 17 minutes. What an exhilarating, inspiring experience. It was an all-women's race, so lots of mother-daughter teams, friends, and family on the course. (Meg Ragland, our health editor, ran with her mom, Dianne!) Everyone looked like they were having a great time. And after two months of training, I was so pleased to find that my body held out well for the 13.1 miles, even through the hilly paths of NYC's Central Park. My husband, 6-year-old daughter, and 9-month-old son came out to meet me at the finish. Seeing them at the last stretch made me smile and gave my tired legs a burst of energy so I could sprint to the finish line.

My knees were pretty sore by the time I got home—ice and rest!! Listen to your body. If you're increasing the intensity of your workouts at all, make sure to do it gradually and give your joints a day or so to recover after a strenuous session. Once I'm feeling good as new, I'm going to start planning my next race. Whether you run a race or join a charity walk, it's nice to have a big date on your calendar so you have something to work toward and to keep you motivated.

Danielle, Assistant Photo Editor

2007-03-23T09:00:00.000-07:00

Like some of my mag-mates below, I have become minorly obsessed with my pedometer. My friends were even joking that they are going to paint it blue for my wedding day, to be my "something blue." I think my dog Audrey is loving the Family Circle Walking Challenge more than anyone though. Her walks have doubled or tripled in length so far. She literally jumps for joy when I put on my sneakers.

In Linda's letter for the recent January issue, I was quoted as having made the resolutions for 2007 to eat healthier and exercise more, as well as to get involved with fundraising for charities like the ALS Associations Walk to D'Feet ALS, in memory of my dad. Well, thanks to the Family Circle Walking Challenge (as well as dietary changes, Jeopardy bike time, and setting up a Walk page on the ALSA-NY Saddle Brook site), I am actually turning my resolutions into reality this year. I am losing weight, feeling better than I have in a long time, and getting closer to my goals... one mile at a time. By the time I get to the ALS Walk in June, 5K will seem like a mere walk in the park!

Darcy, Articles Editor

2007-03-22T09:17:00.000-07:00

I've been having a great time with my pedometer, keeping it on throughout the day just to see how much walking I actually do daily. It was heartening to discover that even when I don't make a point of exercising, I still log on 3 miles or so. But one of the highlights, so far, was when my daughter refused to go to sleep and after my nth trip to her room, I peeked at my pedometer and realized I had done an additional quarter-mile as I went from living room to bedroom. It put a positive spin on the last 30 minutes, and turned my exasperation into exhilaration.

Still, due to weather, I hadn't found a way to add a family walk to our schedule. Then, this weekend, it happened UNEXPECTEDLY. We had a sudden icy, snowstorm on Friday night—a last gasp at winter, I presume—and when we woke up on Saturday we decided to check out the conditions. We bundled the kids up, got out the sled and made the trek (ALMOST a mile) to Central Park. In places the streets had a clear path, in others we had to climb over small snow piles. My husband put our 2-year-old on his shoulders to keep our 20-minute-or-so journey from turning into an hour. She just couldn't resist detouring to touch the snow, but our eight-year-old happily kept up the pace. When we arrived at the park, Cedar Hill—one of the best places for sledding in the city—was packed. Everyone made multiple treks up it—definitely don't need the elliptical when you do that! We built our final snowman before heading home. No one noticed that we had walked nearly 3 miles, we were having too much fun. It was a truly memorable way to say goodbye to winter.

Betty, Executive Editor

2007-03-21T09:38:00.000-07:00

I've been training for my first half-marathon (next Sunday!) and this weekend was my last chance to get in a long run before the race. So I was a little stressed out to wake up on Saturday to find that the luck of the Irish had blessed NYC with 5 inches of snow! As the morning progressed, I kept checking outside my apartment window to see if the sidewalks were being shoveled. By 1pm, my street looked pretty clear, so thinking other streets in my neighborhood would be too, I donned my sneakers and hit the pavement. Two blocks into my jog, I realized Nikes and snow don't mix! Every few yards I had to stop, tip-toe or leap over slushy puddles, climb over lumpy snow banks, and all the while avoid getting splashed or hit by a passing car. I had nine miles to put in today and so I ventured on, sometimes on the sidewalk, sometimes in the middle of the street, constantly checking over my shoulder to make sure no cars were headed my way. But navigating snow piles isn't so good on your ankles or your knees. And the last thing I needed a week before my race was to slip and injure myself. So after two miles outside, I hopped on the subway to my gym and logged in the rest of my miles on the treadmill. Not as much fun (downright boring, in fact) but I did it. Now I'm in my taper week (yay!) where I'll walk/run just a few miles every day until race day. Can't wait for spring to be able to enjoy the flowering blooms instead of yucky city slush during my walks and runs! Hope you keep on stepping!

Linda, Editor in Chief

2007-03-20T09:36:00.000-07:00

The weekend blizzard was a definite deterrent to walking outside but my 13-year-old daughter Susannah wouldn’t let me bail out. We bundled up and took our dog for a walk—not the longest walk but it was better than nothing. I would have happily stayed inside cleaning closets if she didn’t guilt me into going out. My kids are great motivators—they are loving their pedometers. Eight-year-old Nick wears his to school, which his teacher thinks is really cool. And Susannah has vowed to exercise everyday, whether it’s at swim practice, walking outside or on an elliptical trainer. Their older brother C.J. plays basketball or baseball every day and dad exercises daily on an elliptical too. I’m the one that needs more self motivation. So I decided to get a home treadmill. Since I don’t like walking outside in bad weather, a treadmill will give me no excuses not to walk. I’ll let you know which one I get and whether it is the inspiration I needed to keep me dedicated to the challenge.

Michael, Associate Food Editor

2007-03-19T10:13:00.000-07:00

Good News/Bad News
Yes, I do walk back and forth to work each day for a total of 2 miles. Jaunts to the men’s room and from the test kitchen to my desk add an additional mile for a total daily average of 3 miles. Good, right! Well not really; isn’t the point to increase the amount we normally walk? As soon as this weekend’s snow disappears, I am determined to increase my total by a minimum of 2 miles per day with a brisk walk in the morning, supplementing at lunch or after work as needed. Experience has demonstrated that I am much more likely to keep up a brisker pace in the morning before work when time is short and I am on a schedule. And yes, I too have become very attached to my pedometer! Actually, maybe this is all Good News/Good News?

Karmen, Creative Director

2007-03-15T09:08:00.000-07:00

I found out from my pedometer that I averaged about 2.5 miles per day. My goal by the end of the challenge is to log about 5 miles per day, average. Just keeping track and noticing how much --or little--I am moving on some days has motivated me to make regular gym visits more a part of my regular routine. I now do about 2 miles on the ellipticals in addition to some basic strength training. I do want to be 10 lbs lighter come the end of the challenge as well.

Jonna, Senior Editor

2007-03-14T06:30:00.000-07:00

Setting the clocks ahead an hour Saturday night felt oddly premature to me because I definitely haven't been feeling spring-y. But Sunday at 5 p.m., I found myself at a crossroads. Typically, with the sun in the Down position, I would look to set my son up with a DVD while I tidied the kitchen, took out the garbage and got dinner going. But, spurred by the still-plentiful light, my always-energetic little boy whipped on his sneakers and kept pointing at the door, saying, "Outside? Go outside? Please?" And on the spur of the moment, with my pedometer in mind, I decided we would take a walk. We drove 5 minutes to the nearby beach that has a 1.5 mile boardwalk and we walked as far as his little legs could carry him, sometimes running, sometimes playing tag, laughing a lot. When he got tired, we walked back, him on my shoulders—he's basically a 33-lb free weight, so I assume this upped my calorie burn!—and went home. I now plan to make an early-evening stroll part of our routine whenever we can. The fresh air and exercise did both of us good.

Stephanie, Associate Editor

2007-03-13T09:01:00.000-07:00

As Blondie once sang: "Nobody walks in L.A." But everyone—and I mean everyone—walks in New York, so I didn't think it would take long to start racking up miles on my pedometer. In the warmer months, a brisk jaunt to work, a slow walk to dinner and a distracted amble through Central Park are all part of my usual routine. When it's 30 degrees, though, it's harder to convince myself that spending an extended period of time outdoors is actually a good idea.

Determined not to let uncooperative weather derail me, I realized how I could continue walking toward my goal: by becoming better at bundling up! Now, each morning, instead of checking weather.com and opting for a two-block trek to the subway, I layer (a lot), wrap a scarf around my neck, put on my warmest hat and gloves, grab my iPod and hit the pavement. Because while it may be winter in New York, my mind is already in summer mode, imagining how much better my new bathing suit will look after all this walking.

Julie, Associate Publisher Marketing

2007-03-12T15:01:00.000-07:00

I have also become a pedometer addict! Like Gay, I ALMOST want to keep it on all the time — you know, to get credit when I get up in the middle of the night for water and then 2 hours later for the trek to the bathroom — because every step does count!

I try to keep myself from peeking at the counter too often, so that when I do look the movement on the mile counter is meaningful — but sometimes I can’t help myself!

I have always been a walker, but I find myself pushing to go a few extra minutes to get those extra precious steps!

Bethany, Associate Health Editor

2007-03-12T06:49:00.000-07:00

Sorry, suede knee-high boots and red leather belt—my pedometer is my new favorite accessory. I’m seriously into this new gadget that I wear on my waistband every day. Thanks to the Walking Challenge, I now know that it’s 50 steps from my cubicle to the water cooler, 450 steps from my apartment to the grocery store and 2,000 steps from my front door to my favorite shop. Every day is a new challenge to see how far I can walk. Three miles? No sweat. I did that without even trying yesterday (although I admit that I did get up to fill my water bottle, oh, fifteen times). Five miles? Sure, especially if I wear my pedometer to the gym. My record is 17,000 steps (it was last Saturday, and the major mileage was due to shopping and running errands on foot). My newfound pedometer obsession has taught me two things. First, exercise totally adds up. Even on days when I don’t try to be active, I wind up walking a few miles. Also, everyone has time to squeeze in some fitness. Even on a crazy-busy day, I can find time to walk 2,000 steps at lunch or after work. So use your pedometer as a source of motivation, and challenge yourself to walk a little farther each day.

Rachel, Editorial Assistant

2007-03-08T12:07:00.000-08:00

I have a confession—I’m kind of obsessed with my pedometer. There’s something very satisfying about knowing the number of steps and miles you’ve walked in a given day. The other night my roommate and I were vegged out on the couch, watching Grey’s Anatomy. After a long day at work, I have the tendency to become a super couch potato—a habit that I’m trying to break. But get this! I looked down at my pedometer and I had only walked 3.5 miles and the goal is 5 a day. It was dark and cold outside, but I couldn’t let my pedometer down. I put on my shoes and jacket and took a trip to Target, which is open late. (Note: I live in the city and the walk to Target, even at 9:30 p.m., is very safe.) The distance from my apartment to Target and a loop around the store was 1.5 miles. My relationship with my pedometer got me off the couch!

Anna, Editorial Assistant

2007-03-05T15:01:00.000-08:00

So, I finally caved and bought new sneakers this weekend. I had been wearing the same sneaks for the past 10 years. They've lasted through three summers of camp counseling, softball practices, endless hours on the elliptical, and, last summer, triathlon training. Lots of fun memories, but I knew it was time for them to go. I went to a shoestore near me that specializes in analyzing the way you walk or run by setting you up on a treadmill with a video camera recording the way my feet fall. In my case, my ankles turn inward on impact, so I now have some cute blue sneakers with extra arch support.

That was high tech, but it doesn't have to be. Go to a store that specializes in athletic gear near you and talk to one of the salespeople to get their recommendation for the best shoe for your foot and workout style. Typically, shoes are only supposed to last between 300-500 miles, so if your sneakers have lasted through more than one Presidential term, it's probably time for a new pair, since correctly fitting shoes can prevent a whole host of problems, from knee pain to stress fractures--that can cramp your walking style. Walk on!

Linda, Editor in Chief

2007-03-05T12:14:00.001-08:00

My family and I were supposed to begin the Family Circle/American Heart Association/Start! Walking Challenge last week, but it didn’t go so well. Bitter cold, snowy weather was a major deterrent and no one (myself included) was up for a stroll around the neighborhood by the time I got home from work. It was just too dark and slippery. But my 8-year-old Nick was so enthralled with his new pedometer (like most kids he loves gadgets, even low-tech ones) that he made me promise to walk to town and back on Sunday morning. It was still pretty cold out and if Nick had changed his mind I would have happily stayed put in my p.j.s and read the newspaper—but he was determined. So we set out on our 4.2 mile trek and you know what? We had a blast. It took us two hours (we had to go slow because much of the route was on a main street with no sidewalk), but Nick was chatting away. And I realized what a gift it was to be just the two of us. We’ve lived in the same town for nearly 12 years but we'd never before taken such a long walk. By the time we returned, we were so excited and energized that I'm pretty sure the rest of the family was jealous. Sure, walking is ideal for getting in shape, but who would have guessed it’s the perfect activity for getting closer to my kids? I hope the Challenge strengthens your family bonds as well. Keep on walking.

Jonna, Senior Editor

2007-03-05T11:56:00.000-08:00

True to form yesterday, my two-and-a-half year old son was up shortly after the sun flooded his east-facing bedroom and was ready for action. Because I'm trying to walk more as part of FC's challenge, rather than loading him into the car to go buy bagels and newspapers, I thought, "Great! We'll walk." Well, we did…but milage wise, it didn't do very much to up my total. And in fact, it took us 55 minutes to walk 8 blocks round-trip. But even my step-count was woeful in comparison to the time spent, we had a lot of fun. Jackson kicked a rock, closely inspected some bright green crocus shoots bordering the sidewalk and gleefully chased a little garter snake that was slithering along in the grass. Note to self: If you want to cover any appreciable distance in under two hours, don't attempt to do so with a toddler. So-called "power walks" will need to be done solo or with him in the stroller for the time being.

Gay, Senior Editor

2007-03-01T19:09:00.000-08:00

This walking challenge couldn't have come at a better time for me! I recently had to give up swimming while a strained rotator cuff heals (no reptitive motions with my arms allowed) and needed something else to pick up the slack. I've always been a walker, but doing the walking challenge with co-workers and readers is really inspiring. Twice already, I've been on the fence about adding a few steps to my day; knowing I could log in and keep track of my miles inspired me to move the bod rather than hop on the subway. (I did restrain myself this morning from hooking the pedometer onto my pyjamas while I made breakfast; that seemed a little much...then again maybe not!)

Welcome to the Family Circle/American Heart Association Start! Walking Challenge Blog.

2007-02-25T21:40:00.000-08:00

Over the next five months I’ll be keeping you updated on my family’s progress, as we (just like you) attempt to walk at least 75 miles in celebration of Family Circle’s 75th anniversary. I’m hoping to be able to report that my kids and husband were all enthusiastic about taking strolls around the neighborhood with me (and our dog, Sadie, of course).

Many members of my staff here at Family Circle are also joining our challenge, some on their own and others with their entire family. I’ll be inviting them to share their stories here on the blog, as well.

So check in often, and good luck! And when you get a moment, please send me an e-mail about your walking progress!

Linda Fears, Editor in Chief
lindawalks@familycircle.com