Published February 24, 2016

Your Two Most Undervalued Exercise Tools

by Helen M. Ryan
Feet in window

The workout you can do anywhere with built-in equipment: walking

"Walking in L.A,.only a nobody walks in L.A..."

Let's face it. People don't walk that much anywhere here in the good ol' U.S. of A. anymore. We drive to our mailboxes, from store-to-store, and around the corner.

Two women on a scooter
Scootering around with my daughter in Koh Lanta, Thailand

On my recent trip to Southeast Asia I walked a lot - at first. In the rain. In the rain. In the sun. In the rain. It was awesome. Then we rented a scooter, and the rest is history. It was so hot and humid that the scooter seemed like the best bet for comfort, and the wind made natural air conditioning as we rode. Faster, faster!

But I could have really walked more, and I would have felt better, too. I just took the convenient way out

When I went to Kuala Lumpur, though, I had nothing for transportation but my feet (and the occasional monorail). I walked and walked and walked for three days, and it was so much fun.

I got to see all the sights as I passed by, peering into store windows, darting into a outrageously huge mall with an indoor amusement park when it started to pour, and traipsing through Chinatown, stopping to look at all the "brand" names for sale for pennies on the dollar. No, I don't think those Nikes were really Nikes, but it sure was fun to see. I was almost tempted....almost. It was the closest I will probably ever get to Michael Kors or Chanel handbags.

The monorail in Kuala Lumpur
The monorail in KL - more exciting than Disneyland

I shot this little video below about walking while I was in Kuala Lumpur, all snuggled safely back in my room with tired but happy feet (in a high rise condo in the Bukit Bintang area of KL). It was a blast, and I would not trade that experience for anything. Walking = good.

Map of Kuala Lumpur area
Something... is better than nothing

Take a little peek below and share with someone who needs some 'walking inspiration.'

~Onward