Life Fit Chat with That's Fit Life Fit Expert Laura Lewis brings conversation provoking tidbits to your table, served up with a touch of spice! Byte-sized information that pack some punch, brought to you every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday!

Did you know ... Walking can reduce stress, lower blood pressure and increase muscle form. A recent Japanese study involving 250 older adults confirmed just that. The study participants engaged in either no walking or walking with varying degrees of intensity. Not surprisingly, the group that participated in higher-intensity walking enjoyed a decrease in high blood pressure and reduced muscular deterioration. Dr. James Levine commented on this study in the July 2007 issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings as he regaled the benefits of walking, "Walking doesn't cost you anything, you can do it barefoot and you can do it now, this minute."

Sometimes I have to laugh when the obvious is just so obvious. Life is stressful. We all know that, yet so many times in our attempt to stay healthy we only generate more stress for ourselves. Take for example this common scenario ...

Your favorite spin class starts at 6pm. The gym is 15 minutes across town, but in rush hour it takes more than 45 minutes. You rush to the gym, frantically trying to dodge traffic to get there in time to put your name on the list. You know you have to get there at least 20 minutes early or you will never manage to get a bike. By the time you arrive to the gym you are so stressed out you have to work out just to release all of that internalized aggression you experienced trying to get to the gym on time.

Now here comes the obvious ... you could take a leisure drive home, listen to relaxing music, grab the dog and hit the pavement. This "new" idea has a fabulous new term-ecocize. And, it is not just for cardiovascular health. Recent studies by Mind, a non-profit mental health organization in the UK, also indicate that a stroll outdoors aids in decreasing symptoms of depression which eco-psychologist are now calling "eco-therapy."

Go eco-get fit and happy. You may even get to know your neighbors.