WEEK FOUR ... Going into the final seven days of February, I'm very close to my goal of 20K steps/day. I achieved my 1050 minutes of walking for the Idita-Walk 2002 on February 21. I'll send in the log at the end of the month. Here is my progress for the final days of February:

DATE          STEPS
2002.02.22 ... 15,948
2002.02.23 ... 22,486
2002.02.24 ... 27,953
2002.02.25 ... 20,310
2002.02.26 ... 17,075
2002.02.27 ... 10,842
2002.02.28 ... 24,279

Month's Total = 562,678 steps @2000/mile = ~ 281 miles
Daily Average = 20,095 steps/day
10:20:06 PM

OWN YOUR OWN DOMAIN FOR $10... I was listening to the WebTalkGuys radio show on c|net Radio, and heard of this place. Gandi.net offers your own domain for $12 Euros ($10) / year. That includes web/email redirection. Payment can be made by Visa/Mastercard. If you are in the market for a new domain, or looking to transfer or extend a current registration, it is worth a look.
4:23:46 PM

WEEK THREE ... The weather continues to be more like Spring than Winter. I've been able to maintain my 20K steps/day average, as shown in the log below:

DATE          STEPS
2002.02.15 ... 24,745
2002.02.16 ... 28,745
2002.02.17 ... 20,828
2002.02.18 ... 22,889
2002.02.19 ... 15,989
2002.02.20 ... 16,979
2002.02.21 ... 15,938

Month's Total =423,785steps @2000/mile = ~ 212 miles
Daily Average = 20,180 steps/day
3:03:21 PM

BUMMER!!! ... I just noticed that CyberDiet.com has switched to a fee-based business model. I can't say I'm surprised. Since being acquired by now fee-based DietWatch, it was bound to happen. In reality, maybe it is the direction that the web is headed for, as businesses seek a profit. It is just too bad that the good ones build up a big following and then BOOM, the curtain falls.

For now, CalorieKing.com offers a site with diet information, food diaries, and discussion forums that is still free. Although not as well developed in all areas, CalorieKing does offer a food diary/journal that beats most around. It is certainly worth a look.'

For those that was a straightforward food and exercise logging service that is still free, FitDay.com is still a great service.

However, it may just be a matter of time before these neat sites also switch to a fee-based model. Only time will tell.
7:17:37 AM

PEDOMETERS ... every serious walker is not complete without a step counter, also known as a pedometer. My counter of choice is the Accusplit AE-170, which is very similar to the Digi-walker. Both are very accurate and the battery lasts for a decent amount of time.

Other brands include the Omron HJ-104BL, which includes a 7-day memory. Walk4Life and BodyTrends offer several different types under their own brand label.

The ABOUT.com has links to the American Volkssport Association and Creative Walking, both offering a DigiWalker and a book on Pedometer Walking for about the price of the pedometer alone.

If all else fails, try a search for "pedometer" on GOOGLE.com.
10:23:52 PM

PROPER PRECAUTIONS ... those that follow this site know that I am a BIG advocate of walking. It is great exercise, doesn't cost a fortune, and can be worked into your life any number of ways. In addition, it has been the PRIMARY exercise that I have followed for almost two years, six to seven days a week, and has been a significant factor in my weight loss of 140 pounds. As with any exercise program, it is wise to check with your doctor ahead of time, and see if there are any precautions that you should take, based on your current physical condition.

In addition to that, it is smart to warm up ... do some stretching exercises, and walk for five minutes at a slower pace before turning on the afterburners :O)

In addition to increasing my walking activity to 20K steps/day, I've been sprinkling in some serious jogging in my evening sessions. Perhaps because of the increased activity, perhaps because of insufficient stretching & warmups, my hamstrings are showing signs of soreness when I jog. I'll do some additional stretching tomorrow and report back on the effectiveness.
10:06:46 PM

STARTING WEEK TWO ... The weather has been fantastic the past couple of days and I'm taking advantage of it! The step totals for the second week of February are as follows:

DATE          STEPS
2002.02.08 ... 18,567
2002.02.09 ... 31,378
2002.02.10 ... 20,502
2002.02.11 ... 23,257
2002.02.12 ... 22,474
2002.02.13 ... 22,332
2002.02.14 ... 16,767

Month's Total = 276,862steps @2000/mile = ~ 139 miles
Daily Average = 19,775 steps @2000/mile = ~ 10 miles/day

Don't forget, the Idita-Walk starts on 2/11. Get your registration in by 2/25 to get a T-shirt!!
9:35:49 PM

IDITA-WALK 2002
The Iditarod Sled dog race is 1049 miles long from Anchorage to Nome, Alaska. To complete the Idita-walk, walk 30 minutes a day from February 11, 2002 to March 17, 2002 for a total of 1049 minutes. You can log your minutes anywhere! We had 113 walkers for the 2001 Idita-walk and expect more this year!

Entry Fee is $15. All proceeds go the the Nome Volunteer Ambulance Service! All finishers will receive a T-Shirt!

Many walkers participate for the pure pleasure of getting fresh air and excercise. Some do it for health reasons as well as to lose weight! Join the furthest west walking event in the United States!

For more details, go to the Idita-Walk 2002 website.
11:13:37 PM

STEPPIN' RIGHT ALONG ... OK, here is the update on the weekly step totals. As I mentioned in my main story this week, my goal is to increase my activity to 20,000 steps/day. This is for a WalkClub Challenge, and also in the hopes that I can peel this last 10 pounds off my body this month. In general, I should be close to 20K during the week, but work may interfere. In any case, the step totals for the weekend should bring the daily average back up to at least 20,000. At least that's the plan.. :O)

DATE          STEPS
2002.02.01 ... 11,427
2002.02.02 ... 20,522
2002.02.03 ... 20,077
2002.02.04 ... 22,661
2002.02.05 ... 21,436
2002.02.06 ... 16,183
2002.02.07 ... 10,089

Month's Total = 122,395 steps @2000/mile = ~ 61 miles
Daily Average = 17,485 steps @2000/mile = ~ 8.7 miles/day

I'll keep updating this blog entry as time allows.
10:39:47 PM

Weight Management and Healthy Lifestyle Through Small Changes and Balance ... that's a mouthful :O) states, "Most health experts do agree that no one lifestyle factor is responsible for overweight and obesity. Instead, a complex combination of factors fuels this growing problem. The principle of caloric balance is clearly applicable here. The foods that we eat, the frequency of eating, and portion size all contribute to the numbers of calories consumed. Some studies show that Americans consume more calories per day than they did 20 years ago. Perhaps the biggest change, however, has come in energy expenditures. Today, Americans are not only eating more calories and larger portions than ever before, but they have also become more inactive. There are a variety of reasons for this: decentralized community shopping centers, inadequate sidewalk systems, and long commutes all promote the use of automobiles and hence less physical activity. In addition, many people are spending more time than ever in front of the television or the computer. "

Eating more calories, larger portions, and less physical activity ... sounds like the magic pill to obesity. Yet that is the trend for 61 percent of Americans today.

The article continues, recommending small, gradual changes to lifestyle eating and activity habits over time. "To meet the goal of a healthy weight and lifestyle, consumers need to make changes to both sides of the energy equation: the inputs and the outputs. The desired approach is to incorporate small, achievable modifications in eating behaviors and additions of activity into daily life—activity that does not impinge on free time, and is enjoyable, and that can become habitual. The goal here is sustainability and balance." From the International Food Information Council Foundation
7:14:31 PM