walking across america

In November of this year, I made a commitment to walking 10,000 steps every day to get fit and improve my health.  I found lots of information and tools.  I came across this online journal to record my walks and other activities.  My walks have been logged as miles that appear as my progress walking across America.  Here is the map of my virtual walk across America.  The miles are actually miles that I've recorded each day.

Walking and Fitness Links

America On the Move:  This is where that 10,000 steps a day comes from

USDA Food Pyramid:  The incredible USDA food pyramid site.  A marvelous tool for gauging how well you're actually eating and a good tool to help you figure out energy expenditure for losing weight.

Walking.com:  A lot of ads, but jammed packed with information about walking, getting motivated, diet, and lots more.

Helpful Books on Walking and Fitness

	Lean and Strong:  The 6-Week Strength Training, Fat Burning Program For Women by Winnie Linguvic, Montel Williams.  I credit this book as the source of inspiration and motivation for my own rise to good health.  The exercises are accessible.  Linguvic leads you through a program of progressively challenging yourself.  Couldn't recommend more highly.
	Fitness Walking For Dummies by Liz Neporent, M.A.  This was the first book I consulted about walking with a plan.  The book presents an all around approach to fitness that not only includes walking, but stretching and weight training too.  The routines for stretching and weight training are part of my overall training routine.
	The Step Diet Book by James O. Hill, PhD. et al.  This book is a no nonsense approach to walking as part of a good fitness plan.  If you ever wanted to know the magic formula to losing weight and keeping it off, this is the book to get.  Its approach is honest.  If you want to be fit, then you need to make lifestyle changes.  It does provide plenty of motivation and positive reinforcement to get you there.
	Stretching by Suzanne Martin, PT, DPT.  This was just the book I was looking for when I wanted to expand on my stretching routines.  As I increased the intensity of my walking, I realized that I had to give some attention to how flexible I was to keep it enjoyable.  This book was key to helping me improve my posture and increasing my flexibility.