What do we do in the winter?

Winter is here, even though the temps are in the 40’s it is still cold for our little corner of the world. I know that many of you hardcore cyclists ride all the way through the winter. Nicole and I are ‘old school.’ We adhere firmly to the belief that some time off the bike is a good thing. In upcoming posts we may outline some of the activities we enjoy during the winter month(s).

Basically during the entire month of December we do not ride our bikes. Oh, there might be the occasional jaunt around a few roads or the infrequent lunchtime ride. But in general, we are off the bikes. With one exception, I will try to ride in JD’s New Years Eve social ride, I still have a few miles left to reach my mileage goal for this year.

So what is it that we do to try to stay in shape. Well Nicole is doing weight-training in school and I am walking. Remember walking, it is what you used to do before you had your first bike. It is what you used to do before you had your first car. It is what you used to do with your sweetheart before you got married. If you still do it, then good for you.

There are numerous benefits we can derive from that walk around the neighborhood. These benefits are documented and backed by major research. Its not just a bottle of snake oil.

Walking helps you manage your weight. Along with a proper diet, that also includes lowering the volume of food we ingest since our activity level is lower. This low impact physical activity can help reduce the risks of type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, stoke, cancer and heart disease.

Walking helps to boost HDL levels. Physical activity helps reduce low-density lipoproteins (LDL) in the blood which can cause plaque buildup along the artery walls, at the same time increasing the levels of high-density lipoproteins (HDL)  High levels of LDL is a major risk factor in heart attacks.

Walking helps to regulate your blood pressure. Strengthening your heart allows it to pump more blood with less effort and lower pressure in your arteries. Walking can be as effective as many medications in maintaining healthy blood pressure levels.

Walking decreases your risk of heart attack. A study of 906 women, published in the September 8, 2004 "Journal of the American Medical Association," showed that activity, or lack of it, was the biggest predictor of heart disease. A brisk walk for three hours a week, or just half an hour a day, is associated with a 30% to 40% lower risk of heart disease in women.

Walking can lower your risk of stoke. Regular, moderate exercise equivalent to brisk walking for an hour a day, five days a week, can cut the risk of stroke in half, according to a Harvard study of more than 11,000 men.

There are many other benefits you can gain from just that short little walk here are a few more, in brief:

• More energy to enjoy life
• Stress reduction
• Deeper more restful sleep
• Healthier bones and joints
• Improves circulation
• Helps breathing
• Combats depression
• Bolsters the immune system
• Gives you an opportunity to socialize actively with friends and family.

Get up, get out, grab your honey by the hand and go for a walk. We will see you back on the bike in January.