I won’t for a second ever claim that simply taking a 20-minute walk today is (by itself) going to end all cancers in the world– and I believe that few (if any) would believe such short-falling logic. That said, the reason I embarked on a Walk of Inspiration Across America is to inspire people, especially those who aren’t already, to take simple steps forward– at minimum: get up, go out, and take a walk today.
I’m walking thousands of miles across America to promote that everyone take a walk today. I’m taking millions of steps, from America’s Pacific shores to the Atlantic, to prove that all you need to do is begin taking small, focused, determined steps in a given direction, and that over the course of time, your devotion will deliver you tremendous accomplishments. This is true of pretty much anything in life. This I know.
That said, when people ask me about nutrition, though I’ve learned a lot more than I once knew, everything I’ve learned in the realm of nutrition has ultimately taught me how much I don’t know– how much I have yet to learn regarding healthy eating.
Still, given that I’m walking to promote healthy lifestyles, and my fuller explanation is that a healthy lifestyle includes effective exercise, health eating, and stress management, many of the people I’ve met still seem to want to ask me nutrition-based questions as if I’m an expert on the subject.
Yes, I can quote some of the work of Michael Pollan, Dr. Oz, Andrew Weil, Deepak Chopra and others, and definitely refer them to Food Rules as a starter. That said, I still feel very limited on what I can offer in the way of answers to a variety of great, nutrition-based questions that are asked of me.
Therefore, especially given that I’ve recently acquired quality recording equipment, I’ve enlisted the help of some pro’s: I’m meeting with naturopaths, nutritionists, and physicians, asking a litany of nutrition-based questions in addition to other general health questions– and recording their answers for what will soon be many on-line video links on how to simply integrate a strong nutritional foundation into daily living. I’m learning a fabulous little nutritional education in the process.
While I won’t claim that simply walking 20 minutes daily will alone prevent all chronic diseases, the first step of a daily walk, which leads to healthier eating and soothing stress management, will definitely decrease anyone’s risk of developing any chronic disease.
As Dr. Oz says: “genes may load the gun, but lifestyle pulls the trigger.” Given my disease-prone family history, my gun may be loaded, but I’m keeping my hands away from that trigger. I suggest you do the same for your life! ;)
Dr. Rhett Bergeson, MD, and Deb MacIntyre, ND, take some hours out of their days this week to explain healthy living. Spending about three hours with each of them, in addition to Bryan Ginter, ND, all explained their broad approach to taking steps into living a healthier lifestyle. I've recorded most of my time with them-- a project I'll be working more on after the Walk concludes.