by
The book provides evidence-based tools from the University of Toronto, Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education and the Art of Living Foundation; real-life lessons and stories to keep your mind, body, and spirit strong; journaling, photography, and Vision Board ideas; and websites to visit. It includes 30 “”steps” to walking for physical activity; mental clarity and emotional strength; and spiritual strength and to connect with nature; Susan’s lifelong walking journey; and photos that Susan has taken in cities, ravines, waterfronts, and neighbourhoods.
I wrote this book to break down the myths about physical, mental, and spiritual walking, to share the successes and challenges of my lifelong walking journey, to provide strategies and tools to embrace different types of walking at every age and stage of life, and to help teach others about building physical ,mental ,and emotional resilience and inner strength. It is a celebration of my love of walking, which has enabled me to provide a quiet perspective to my life, take charge of my well-being, and maintain some control over my health, my future, and the process of aging.
My goals are that my book will provide you with:
READ MORE- an understanding of the physical, mental/ emotional, and spiritual aspects of walking;
- proven strategies and tools to get started, sustain, and expand your physical, mental, and emotional walking journey;
- evidence-based tools to keep your mind, body, and spirit strong as you age and to encourage success;
- real-life lessons and stories;
- confidence in knowing how you can safely make it on your own two feet;
- inspiration to reach deep inside yourself and to push beyond what you thought possible;
- a blueprint to create your own personal path to wellness; and last, but not least,
- the perspective of a 76-year-old woman who continues to challenge my body, mind, and spirit as I
"Balance and Purpose are two things that I have never associated with walking. But after reading Susan Sommer’s book, I’m in the process of rethinking that point. As a guide, this book is exceptionally structured. You could, of course, read it from front to back, but it lends itself to a person like me who picks areas that interest them to read first. A comprehensive table of contents makes that super easy. The author also uses linking arrows throughout the book that point readers to additional information that is like a workbook section. These references make it easy to find lists of practical resources, steps, and exercises to accomplish specific tasks or goals. I appreciated the part about writing a journal to track goals, achievements, etc. That resonated with me because I like to create junk journals and that would make a perfect walking journal. Another one of my favorite sections is the one on Myths about walking. There are five of them and I laughed when I read them because I’ve heard them all. I think the best part of this book is the assessment tools and strategies that the author covers. So many times, guide books tell us how to prepare and what to do, but fail to show us how to assess our efforts. Author Susan Sommers doesn’t make this mistake. Besides the tools, she includes quizzes and exercises. One interesting area included in this section is one concerning ‘Self Talk’. We’re all familiar with our own mental notations where we negatively outline our limitations, mistakes, and lack of motivation. However, Susan Sommers shows us how to turn this natural trait into a positive force, switching our ‘Self Talk’ from the negative to the positive."
