by Stephanie Brail

In times of ever-climbing gas prices, looking for ways to reduce fuel consumption can not only be good for your pocketbook, but your health. Walking instead of driving is one way to lower your fuel expenses while improving your health and well-being.

Did you know that a 150 pound person walking briskly can burn an average of 320 calories per hour? So what would you rather do, burn $4 per gallon of gas or 320 calories per hour?

Walking not only burns calories, it improves circulation and enhances cardiovascular health. Walking can lower your bad cholesterol and increase your good cholesterol. If you are diabetic or in danger of becoming so, walking can help your body process sugar more efficiently. Walking help keeps you strong, reducing the risk of accidental falls as you age. Additionally, walking can elevate the mood and spirits. (For more on the health benefits of walking, see http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/walking/HQ01612)

My car broke down and it's now dead in the water. (A bad alternator? We're not sure yet. I'm getting a quote from my mechanic before I decide to fix or replace the car.) Since I work from home, it would be downright silly to rent a car when I would only need it once or twice a week. Almost everything I need (restaurants, a grocery store, my gym, and even Best Buy) is within a 10-minute walk.

I had some checks to deposit into my bank account, but my ATM is not quite as convenient. One of them is maybe a half-mile away up a hill. I decided to visit another one, in a grocery store I go to. It's about a mile and a half from my home - three miles round trip. It was a nice day and I was going to take a walk anyway, so why not walk the whole way? Fancy that - a woman in Los Angeles walking!