Laurie is celebrating a big birthday year by walking for an hour a day, every day of the year. She blogs daily about her walks at My Big Walk. She had dreamed of a month-long walking adventure in Europe. But instead, "Rather than making my celebration an adventure apart from my life, I could make it a new venture within my life. And so, My Big Walk was born."

"Over the years I spent a lot of time with therapists and doctors with varying degrees who by and large taught me that there are few things in life that you can't get through by simply getting up, getting dressed, and getting on with the day. In other words, put one foot in front of the other and then do it again, and again. If it scares you, do it anyway. If you don't feel like it, do it anyway. If you're tired, definitely do it," Laurie writes on her "About My Big Walk" page.

As Laurie and I both share a big birthday this year, I think she is a kindred soul in so far as walking. We all can find excuses not to walk, but you just have to find an excuse buster that makes you do it anyway. Having a goal you are dedicated to achieving is a great one. It can be walking an hour a day, logging 10,000 pedometer steps each day, or training for a half marathon. It can be a dog or walking buddy that you can't let down.

Find your motivation and save your life. Laurie will be reducing her health risks by getting the amount of exercise that studies say we all need. How can you motivate yourself to walk?

Does walking backward give you 10 times the benefit as forward walking? Dalsukh posted a message on our Walking Forum praising backward walking with that claim (and that it reduces constipation). Forward walking also reduces constipation, so I have no trouble with that claim. But do 100 steps backward equal 1000 forward? No.

While an older study showed that walking or running backward increased the heart rate by over 50%, the most recent study showed it raised it as much as 20% That's a nice boost, but it's not a 10 times boost. It would be more like increasing your walking speed from 20 minutes per mile to 15 minutes per mile, or Nordic Walking using fitness walking poles. It may be a good activity to add a burst of higher intensity to your workout. But you also have to keep safety in mind (or carry a rearview mirror!)

Benefits of Backward Walking
Backward Walking and Running on the Treadmill

Tom Vanderbilt defends jaywalking in the Nov. 2 issue of Slate . Jaywalking is crossing a street outside of a recognized crosswalk, and it may or may not be an offense in various cities and towns.

I try to always be a law-abiding citizen but I must admit that I jaywalk regularly. I'm an adult. I look both ways and cross when there are no cars in sight. I always do this to cross a street a half mile away in my suburban neighborhood, as I believe the light at that corner is a far more dangerous place to cross. Cars turning right think they have the right of way, even though I have the walk signal. They aren't expecting pedestrians in the crosswalk. That makes it far more dangerous than crossing down the street after ensuring no traffic is coming in either direction.

We teach kids to obey the signals, and I am a good role model when children are present. But on my own, I trust my own eyes more than a driver determined to make a turn across the crosswalk I am occupying. I try to make eye contact with drivers and even wave at them while crossing to try to ensure my safety.

The good news is that the 40% of pedestrian deaths are people with measurable blood alcohol levels, usually walking after dark. I don't walk after dark if I've had a drink. While we may be dismayed by distracted walkers who are texting or blabbing on cell phones, or oblivious with their iPods, it's really the booze that is associated with the death rate.

Do you jaywalk? Do you think I'm a risky fool? Answer the poll and join in the Comments.

Walking with fitness walking poles (Nordic Walking) is a great way to increase the calorie burn and muscle toning of your walking workout. As an added bonus, you feel less exertion. Claire Walter has a new book out on Nordic Walking. It's a good comprehensive book with more about the differences in the poles, what to wear, and tips for the different styles. I received a free review copy from the publisher.
Nordic Walking Book Review
Nordic Walking USA Blog.
Photo courtesy of Pricegrabber

I've been following Nordic Walking for many years. It is very popular in Europe but only slowly making inroads in North America. I like using my fitness walking poles when walking solo. Because I spend most of the day at the computer, the poles encourage me to open up my chest and get my shoulders back. It's good therapy for bad computer posture. Also -- burns more calories per mile!

Nordic Walking Step by Step

I found several Nordic Walkers on Twitter, here are the ones in English:

• Nordic Walk This Way Minnesota
• Nordic Walker San Diego
• British Nordic Walking
• Nordic Academy Australia