Do you do walking and biking?

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The car is a wonderful invention, giving us power, convenience, and connection to family and friends that we otherwise wouldn't have. We master great distances on a daily basis, for work and play. Despite the fact that half of all trips in urban areas are three miles or less (41 percent are two miles or less) and that several recent polls have found that a majority of Americans would like to bike and walk more, statistics show our rate of walking has dropped by 42 percent over the past 20 years! With the number of overweight Americans increasing by 40 percent over that same time period, you don't have to do sophisticated calculations to guess that there might be some link.The health benefits of even moderate walking and biking (20-30 minutes, four times per week) are well documented. Both reduce stress, as well as heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, stroke, and breast or colon cancer. At the very least, both make you stronger, better looking and--best of all--more aerobically fit. Remember these tips next time you want to drive to your destination: Walking and biking really are fun! As with many things that are good for you, walking and biking are also enjoyable--but you have to get there to remember that. Your kids will have a wonderful time racing each other, poking in the creek, enjoying conversations, and savoring the sunshine and fresh air.No matter where you live, you can park the car sometimes. The only real variable in the equation is you. Working at fitness requires a conscious effort. It's tempting to always hop in the car. Get in the habit of asking yourself, on a regular basis, whether you can make a short trip without taking along several tons of steel.There's no getting around it--navigating your way through life often requires a car. But when it doesn't, try steering a new course, one that's not only healthier but also more enjoyable!