Thursday, July 7, 2011

Take A Hike

If someone tells you to “go take a hike”, they’re actually giving you good advice.
Exercise and weight loss web sites recommend walking as the most overlooked and neglected form of exercise. People seem to prefer expensive aerobic classes, and lots of time in gyms.

Health experts suggest that walking is a great form of exercise because it’s free, requires no partner or expensive gadgets, and will burn nearly the same calories as jogging. It’s not hard on the body, there’s no set time to do it, and a good walk eases the tension in mind and body.

Along with many local parks, there are some amazing trails in the area, not only beautiful, but excellent wildlife habitats.

• The trails at Forest Park Nature Center on Forest Park Drive in Peoria Heights are wonderful. Deer, wild turkeys, and bird feeders loaded with every local bird imaginable, are just some of the added bonuses to walking these paths. Exercise and entertainment, what’s not to love? They are open daily from dawn to dusk, and are well marked with maps available listing distances. They are free, but donations are welcome. The Museum and Nature Store are open Mon. – Sat. 9AM to 5PM, Sunday, 1 to 5PM. There are potties, water, coffee, and tea in the trail head building.

• For a good walk, you can’t beat the Rock Island Trail. Beautiful, wild, full of flora and fauna, it’s another example of exercise, entertainment, and relaxation. There are several trail heads, but the closest is at Alta, where you can go towards Dunlap, or towards Peoria. Each way is a different habitat, and both are beautiful. There are potties and water at the Alta trailhead where a giant map shows you the route and distances.

• Another fun place to walk is the East Peoria Biking and Hiking trail. You can park at the Fondulac Administration Building and start your walk across the street on the trail. It’s paved, and pretty, with lots of wildlife and flowers. Several little bridges with gurgling streams flowing underneath are pleasant attractions. The Fondulac Administration Building has public restrooms and water.
Before you use walking as an exercise, there are a few tips to remember.
First, don’t eat solid food an hour before walking. Digesting takes a lot of energy away from the body.

You should avoid busy roads. Fresh air and green calming surroundings are more relaxing to the mind. Also, if you are taking more carbon dioxide than oxygen, you are harming your body.

Try to get in at least 30 minutes of walking everyday, and vary your routes so that you are not walking on flat ground.

Walking is not only good for your body, but good for your spirit.

Henry David Thoreau once said, "I come home to my solitary woodland walk as the homesick go home.”