PFA's Walking Program Can Change Lifestyles

By Anthony J. Navoy

I’m a walker. I used to be a runner, sometimes covering as many as 70 miles a week. I ran in road races and completed two marathons. Then I had foot surgery. For the longest time I couldn’t even comfortably stand or walk, and running was out of the question. I gained weight, my blood pressure elevated, my energy level dropped, and I have to admit that I was irritable at times.

After taking an early retirement, I told myself I had to do something about getting back into shape, and I decided to start walking every day. I gradually increased the distance of my walks and started to feel better, losing weight, improving my blood pressure levels and increasing my stamina. In 1996, I started to record my mileage, and at the end of the year I submitted the total to the Polish Falcons of America “Let’s Walk” program. I have done this every year since.

Now that I’m living in Florida, I don’t have to contend with snow and ice, but the heat is a challenge most of the year, so I get out early in the morning and make sure I take a bottle of water with me. I see more people walking than I did up North, most of them retirees like me. Occasionally someone will say, “I wish I could walk as fast as you do.” I tell them, “It’s not really important to walk fast; it’s more important that you walk at a comfortable pace and on a regular basis.”

I’m proud of the mileage awards I’ve earned from the “Let’s Walk” program, but I’m more proud of the improvement in my physical condition. Walking is a relatively inexpensive and convenient exercise. The only equipment you really need is a good pair of shoes, no designer sweat suits are necessary. You can walk almost any time of the day; you don’t have to go to a gym or spa, just step out the door.

My next goal is to reach 25,000 miles by mid-2007, so if you’ll excuse me, I have to lace up my New Balance sneakers and go out the door.