by Stephanie Brail

In times of ever-climbing gas prices, looking for ways to reduce fuel consumption can not only be good for your pocketbook, but your health. Walking instead of driving is one way to lower your fuel expenses while improving your health and well-being.

Did you know that a 150 pound person walking briskly can burn an average of 320 calories per hour? So what would you rather do, burn $4 per gallon of gas or 320 calories per hour?

Walking not only burns calories, it improves circulation and enhances cardiovascular health. Walking can lower your bad cholesterol and increase your good cholesterol. If you are diabetic or in danger of becoming so, walking can help your body process sugar more efficiently. Walking help keeps you strong, reducing the risk of accidental falls as you age. Additionally, walking can elevate the mood and spirits. (For more on the health benefits of walking, see http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/walking/HQ01612)

by Stephanie Brail

As obesity soars in America, studies are finding that access to good food is a problem for less affluent Americans. HealthDay recently reported that poorer Americans not only have issues with affording quality food, but they have fewer places to buy good foods. One prime suspect: the convenience store now outnumbers the grocery store in many rural areas. The findings come from studies by the Journal of the American Dietetic Association in their November 2007 issue on poverty and human development.

According to the HealthDay article: "People with more money eat more fruits and vegetables than those with less money, research shows. In turn, poorer people also assume a greater disease burden relative to their wealthier counterparts."

Yet more news on how America is getting fatter and fatter:

Study: Major increase in morbidly obese

We can blame all of this on our sedentary lifestyles, our fattening foods, and our 50 zillion cable channels. There's another culprit here, however: Fitness snobbery.

I used to be one of those people who looked down upon the jocks of the world. I lived in that classic "Revenge of the Nerds" dichotomy where jocks were stupid people, and I, as the artistic and "smart" one, didn't need to be running around doing physical things.

This was made worse by the fact that I was always chosen last for every single team in school. I was simply an uncoordinated kid.

My time spent on disability changed all that. I wanted to run free! I wanted to experience my body!

Pat Gundry has started a "6 Month Fitness Project" to provide support for whatever your fitness goals happen to be. She has a blog with daily updates and a mailing list. As of this writing she is almost a week into it. To get your bearings, go here first:

http://www.6monthfitnessproject.com/about_the_project/index.html