January 11, 2008

Hey it’s Winter...Go for a walk or run!

By Mike Coleman
Special to the Times

Yes, it’s January, that time of year when we notice those extra holiday pounds and think about our New Year's resolution to get in shape. While many people will join a gym or try the latest fad diet, there are great places right here in the Evergreen neighborhoods and hills to get the heart pumping and burn some of those calories away.

Mike Coleman, a personal trainer located in the Evergreen area, helps a client get in shape for the new year.

Walking or running are both great ways to improve your cardio-aerobic fitness and burn calories at the same time. No equipment (other than a good pair of shoes) or gym membership is required. The landscape around the Evergreen area is an added benefit; not only are there great trails with scenic views but the hills that we are surrounded by add the extra dimension of resistance training to our walk or run. Walking or running hills makes the heart beat faster, thus burns more calories and the resistance factor builds leg strength.

For those of us who are interested in losing a few pounds, burning a greater amount of calories than we consume is the only factor that matters. Starting a walking or running program 3-5 times a week for at least 30 minutes will help to get the calorie engine burning. While walking at a fast pace is a great way to exercise, running will burn about twice as many calories as walking. In addition, since you can run about two miles in the time that it takes to walk one, running will burn about four times as many calories per hour as walking. Either way, being consistent is the key to keeping those pounds off.

So, where do we start? Montgomery Hill Park, located just east of Evergreen Valley College on Yerba Buena Road is a great place to get your hill training in and see some magnificent views at the same time. The park offers moderate to steep hills as well as flat creek side trails to walk and run on. The sprawling grasslands with the occasional oak and eucalyptus trees offer opportunities for wildlife viewing and marvelous vistas of the Evergreen Valley and City to the west. Sunset viewing can be spectacular. For some people, the winter is the time of year to hibernate indoors, but for those who venture outdoors, the fresh air, the colors of the sky and the exhilaration of a brisk walk or run are well worth the effort.

Mike Coleman is a personal trainer and coach in the Evergreen area. For more information on getting fit contact: wolfpack57@aol.com or 476-6941.