Commute to Fitness!

  I took my son to a Met game last Wednesday, via train. We drove to the Millburn Train Station, walked about a 1/4 mile to the platform, and ascended about 50 stairs, two at a time. More hurried striding through Penn Station to the Long Island Railroad connection, which we made with seven minutes to spare. At Citi Field, about a half-mile from the LIRR station to the stadium, and then a long climb (all, our choice, by stairs) up to section 538, next to the Diamond Vision screen. Repeated, in reverse, on our way home. Not a killer workout, but a lot of steps and movement, for sure!
   Ironically, that day I saw an article by Rachel Bachman in the Wall Street Journal entitled "A Hidden Perk of Commuting." It cited a recent study of 4,000 people in England that showed that people who had switched from driving to other sources of getting to work lost more than two pounds in two years, not insignificant for adults.
    Another American study of 12,000 urban residents in the U.S. who biked or walked to work showed a marked difference in body mass index. The key in weight loss via commuting is that people are more likely to keep the pounds off, just because of that necessary evil of having to go to work each day. Everyone knows, the battle isn't taking it off, it's keeping it off!
    The problem is, for most people, ditching the car is inconvenient, and takes longer. The article references a 2009 analysis of U.S. Census Data that showed that the average trip time for metro area workers commuting to work by car was 24.2 minutes. By public transportation, the time doubled to 48 minutes. Further, in many suburban or rural areas, there are little to no mass transit options. The only other way to get there is by foot or bicycle, which is unrealistic for most people, either because of the length of the trip, or danger riding or walking along highways.
    The good news is many smaller but growing cities are setting up light rail systems, or starting civic health campaigns to encourage people to find alternative ways to work. Most tout the environmental and stress benefits (yes, I've clenched my teeth and cursed through many a traffic jam), but are starting to quote these stats about the fitness benefits, too!
     If nothing else, try the train or bus when making trips to New York, and maybe take the bike to work on a nice summer morning. You'll feel proud for doing so!