Good morning, welcome to our latest Dear Heather and while this week it may be short, but sweet, I wanted to answer some questions, including questions I found on the forum boards. This is has been a crazy week here in the life, a week that bid goodbye to one old friend of mine and to bid farewell to another friend of my family, a very nice lady I’ve known since I was a kid. It definitely makes me think about the choices I make in life, reassess what I’ve done, what I want to do and where I want to be.
I want to reaffirm my commitment here to being a part of helping you find the answers you want or need to help you achieve your goals. Thanks for letting me do what I can.
Mall Walking
Hi
I am interested in getting into walking and have begun by just getting up early and walking the dog for a brisk walk and trying to do it in the evening too. I know where I live the weather will soon be changing in months to come and snow and frigid temps will be a challenge. I know some who have tried “mall walking” and their area shopping malls even have mall walkers clubs- this is brisk walking around the mall alone or with others, especially great for winter months.
Any tips for beginning walkers welcome- do you listen to music while you walk- any good motivational music for walkers? Do you use pedometers? Are there any current or former mall walkers here. Thanks for replying! Jody
Dear Jody
I saw your forum post and I wanted to bring it over here to answer because it’s familiar conundrum for many people looking to get the most out of their walking programs, especially in the depths of winter when walking outdoors can be difficult. Mall walking affords you a great opportunity to continue your walking program indoors, out of the elements where it’s safe, warm and dry. Mall walkers, like other regular walkers, need to wear comfortable, shock absorbing shoes that will protect their feet against the hardness of the ground. You also want to avoid slipping, many mall floors are very slick early in the morning after they’ve been polished or cleaned and before there are a number of people inside the mall.
Music is always a good companion if you are walking solo or walking while pushing a stroller. You should listen to the music of your choice, music that keeps you feeling upbeat and will keep the pace of your walking up. Remember, a good walking program will elevate your heart rate, so you want to reach a pace that will keep your heart rate elevated.
Utilizing a pedometer is a personal choice and it can help you monitor your walking program as well as inspire you to reach further and strive harder. It can also let you match the amount of walking indoors that you do outdoors. For example, if your regular walking with your dog takes you 2,000 to 4,000 steps (approximately 1 to 2 miles) then you can match that same distance indoors using a pedometer. If the mall you use has stairs, then be sure to incorporate the stairs into your walking program.
Walking indoors in a mall removes some of the natural stressors from walking on sidewalk or grass or other uneven paths. By using the stairs, you can add some uneven stress to your walking that will also help you to elevate your heart rate without overdoing it. If you are pushing a stroller, you may also increase your heart rate in that manner. Many malls offer walking programs, routes and suggestions and more often, malls are adding Stroller Mom groups that include stretches, companionship and more. A trained instructor who understands a great deal about fitness in general and for moms looking to get back to their pre-natal shape often guides these groups.
You might want to contact the mall’s customer information center in order to get information for groups that may meet at the mall in order to find support for your walking workouts and more. Good luck with your walking program.
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