| In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, gasoline prices | | | | work would burn about one pound of fat every five |
| appeared to be on automatic pilot to the moon. As | | | | weeks. That translates to at least ten pounds of fat |
| reported by CNN on 9-5-05, "Drivers paid an average | | | | loss in just one year. That's an impressive feat, since |
| of about $3.20 a gallon for unleaded regular on | | | | according to the Federal Citizen Information Center |
| Monday, up $1.35 from a year ago, and 75 cents more | | | | "Even a small weight loss of 10 to 20 pounds can |
| than they did before the hurricane". | | | | improve your health, for example by lowering your |
| Higher gas prices are putting a big dent in the budget | | | | blood pressure and cholesterol levels". |
| of the average citizen, leaving many with less | | | | Changing how we get to work will, however, make |
| disposable income for essentials like food and clothing. | | | | one thing heavier: our wallets. As a whole, Americans |
| But Americans can take solace in the news that there | | | | do not drive fuel-efficient cars. As reported by |
| is a way to dramatically lower gasoline costs, while at | | | | Business Week on 6-20-05, "Federal mileage |
| the same time shrinking our waistlines. The answer is | | | | standards -- 20.7 mpg for light trucks and 27.5 mpg for |
| to start walking to work, to the store, and anywhere | | | | cars last year -- are little changed since 1985 (though |
| else it's practical to do so. Walking is great exercise | | | | the light-truck standard is slated to rise to 22.2 mpg by |
| and doesn't require a trip to the gas pump. | | | | 2008). As a result, the average mileage of U.S. |
| A 160 lb. person who spends thirty minutes walking to | | | | passenger vehicles peaked in 1988 and has fallen |
| work will burn approximately 145 calories. An uphill walk | | | | slightly since". |
| will boost that calorie burn to 218 calories, and | | | | Assuming a two-mile commute to and from work, |
| 'race-walking' will increase that to a whopping 236 | | | | walking instead of driving would save twenty miles of |
| calories. | | | | driving per week. That's a savings of about three |
| Taking a thirty-minute walk to work would burn | | | | dollars per week, or $156 per year. |
| approximately 725 calories per week. Since each | | | | With gas prices still high, the best time to get started |
| pound of fat is comprised of 3,500 calories, walking to | | | | on a new walking program is now. |