Walk Don't Run

Speedwalking is the beer can chicken of the exercise world. Both look goofy but are surprisingly good. Speedwalkers burn more calories per mile than joggers, and have fewer injuries, better posture, and denser bones. This form of walking gives a full body workout, firming up butt, thighs, and waist.

The good news is that there are different levels of speedwalking from sort of goofy to the extreme hip rolling, arm pumping, leg strutting gait seen in racewalking competitions. It takes most people about six weeks to get the proper form, and then it's easy.

The best technique is with your back straight, lead heel making contact with the ground before your following toes lift, lead leg straight, with one foot always on the ground. Keep shoulders and neck loose. Bend your arms at the elbow, swinging diagonally across your body, pumping in a relaxed way to work out the upper body and bring up the heart rate. Breathe deeply as you stride. Clinics and books are available for specific instruction and there are many videos on YouTube showing experts in full speedwalking stride.

Equipment is easy. Your local sport store will have shoes made especially for powerwalking, and exercisewalking-both of which are speedwalking under different names or racewalking, the Olympic variation. Your shoes should have a wide toe box; thick, flat sole with no lugs, knobs or grommets; good construction; and flexibility.

Come to the Katy trail walks with the Good News Girls. I plan to try it. After all, in a 12-minute mile, a speedwalker will burn 50 calories an hour more than a jogger of the same weight. We'll see who laughs last.