Walking: The Ultimate Exercise For Optimum Health

by Andrew Weil, Mark Fenton

Two Experts Set the Pace for Optimum Health with This Take-Anywhere Walking Workout Session. Andrew Weil, M.D. & Mark Fenton. Most of us enjoy walking, but not everyone knows how to turn this simple exercise into one of the most powerful self-healing tools known to medicine. On The Secret to Optimum Health, Dr. Andrew Weil joins Mark Fenton, the nation's foremost expert on walking, for an invigorating 2-CD program that gives listeners all the tools needed to begin a daily walking practice. On Part One, Dr. Weil and Mark Fenton explain the proven ways in which walking helps you look and feel younger, reduce stress, improve immune function, achieve your ideal weight, and more. On Part Two, listeners get walking with a fully programmable workout that features two warm-up options and five intensifying sessions, paced by cadence cues and motivating tips for each phase.

Genres: Health, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Fitness

2 pages, Audio CD

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Andrew Weil, M.D., is a world-renowned leader and pioneer in the field of integrative medicine, a healing oriented approach to health care that encompasses body, mind, and spirit. He is the author of many scientific and popular articles and of 14 books: The Natural Mind, The Marriage of the Sun and Moon From Chocolate to Morphine (with Winifred Rosen) Health and Healing, Natural Health, Natural Medicine; and the international bestsellers, Spontaneous Healing and 8 Weeks to Optimum Health, Eating Well for Optimum Health: The Essential Guide to Food, Diet, and Nutrition The Healthy Kitchen: Recipes for a Better Body, Life, and Spirit (with Rosie Daley) Healthy Aging: A Lifelong Guide to Your Well-Being; and Why Our Health Matters: A Vision of Medicine That Can Transform Our Future (issued in paperback with new content as You Can’t Afford to Get Sick).

Combining a Harvard education and a lifetime of practicing natural and preventive medicine, Dr. Weil is Director of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona, where he also holds the Lovell-Jones Endowed Chair in Integrative Rheumatology and is Clinical Professor of Medicine and Professor of Public Health. The Center is the leading effort in the world to develop a comprehensive curriculum in integrative medicine. Graduates serve as directors of integrative medicine programs throughout the United States, and through its Fellowship, the Center is now training doctors and nurse practitioners around the world.

Learn More:
Facebook.com/DrWeil
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Instagram.com/DrWeil
Flickr.com/DrWeil
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Reviews

[Magen - Inquiring Professional Dog Trainer · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars, rounded up because it did motivate me to want to start regularly walking, though I haven't yet. The discussion on why walking is important is strong and inspiring, though not much of the material is new or unexpected. Dr. Weil does a decent job of making starting an exercise program manageable. Unfortunately, the practices are a bit less manageable as Mark Fenton starts talking about doing 45 minutes of weight loss walking. While that's a good goal to work towards, it's a bit daunting and overall, the practices discouraged me from starting a walking program. The rate of walking in the slowest practice is faster than people with limitations can do and many normal people are doing, so it sets the bar too high to start. This book would have been better served to talk about the importance of walking and presented some stretching. If they wanted to present walking paces, then they needed to start with a low bar which nearly everyone is capable of. I do think there is benefit to this program and encourage people to listen to the whole thing, including the exercises as there is some useful information there, but to keep in mind that they likely will not start where Fenton expects them to.

[Emily Mellow · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's alright. The audiobook has you walk along as they keep a beat, and it's really quick. I do love walking, but I'm not going to enjoy aerobic level walks

[Emilee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and sweet. We were made to walk, good things happen when we do, bad things happen when we don't. The 2nd cd has good warm up and cool down stretches, and hearing the beat to walk to for different goals was helpful. A good short book but probably too short for me.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Andrew Weil and Mark Fenton describe some health and well-being benefits for daily walking, and the authors include a list of techniques for optimizing walking through different physiological movements. The authors provide personal anecdotes to motivate listeners to incorporate walking into daily routines for optimal lifelong health and well-being. This approach emphasizes general information, while de-emphasizing technical information about the benefits of daily walking. Some readers may argue that this work may not offer novel or technical insights for already active walkers. Readers looking for inspiration to walk more and readers looking for ways to enhance their walking experience may find some useful personal anecdotes and advice.

[Scott · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was surprised by how much is not in here. If you would agree with the statement "you should walk because it's good for you and will make you happier" then you will know as much now as when you finished this book. Not terrible, just not much here other than "walking is good for you". No real scientific anything or studies or even very many anecdotal tales. This is definitely one that didn't work for me.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a little bit cheesy but I did get some new information out of it. I assume it only comes in an audio version because it has a section with rhythm for various types of walking. I found that part helpful. I also liked the stretching suggestions at the end. I mostly listened to it to find out how to walk for weight loss.

[Joseph · Rating 2 out of 5]

Doesn’t seem to break any new ground. It repeats the tried and true conventional wisdom on walking and gives some tips on how to optimize one’s walk, but otherwise not much can significantly be gleaned from it.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first half was very informative. The second part with the workout portion was good but just a little awkward. The pacing with music idea was very useful too! I was able to find pre-made soundtracks with the pacing beats so ultimately a successful read.

[Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mood booster.

[Wayne's · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good introduction to walking as an exercise. The warm ups were useful.

[shirley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whoa! Walking-a very simple exercise. This book motivates me to spend more time walking.....

[Troy Zaher]

DNFed years ago about halfway through, but I did find some of the advice interesting and helpful.

[Rashmi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I stumbled upon this audiobook while looking for something to listen to during my morning walks, and I'm glad I did.

The book delves into the myriad benefits of walking, elucidating how this simple exercise can enhance your overall health and well-being. Dr. Andrew Weil, a trusted figure in complementary healthcare, joins forces with Mark Fenton, the nation's foremost expert on walking, to provide a comprehensive understanding of how walking can help you look and feel younger, reduce stress, boost immune function, and work toward achieving your ideal weight.

The audiobook comprises two parts, with the first part presenting the theory and science behind the benefits of walking. It explores how walking is a natural and effective way to enhance your health. The second part offers practical guidance, including a fully programmable workout with various intensifying sessions and cadence cues to help you walk at an optimal pace.

The book is concise and impactful, delivering a wealth of knowledge in a succinct format. The incorporation of rhythms and pacing techniques to assist in walking effectively adds a practical dimension to the guidance provided.

In essence, this audiobook serves as an inspiring resource, highlighting the numerous advantages of walking and encouraging listeners to incorporate this exercise into their daily routines. It's a short and sweet guide that motivates and informs, making it a valuable addition for anyone seeking to make the most of this simple yet powerful form of exercise.

[Jeanette Meehan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing too exceptional about this book but it works as a wonderful motivator. I have fallen into the trap of thinking of walking as a springboard to other "better" fitness activities. This book goes into a good argument for walking as all the excel use you really need. To increase the benefit, simply pick up the pace a bit. It deserves four stars for its motivational boost. The second part of the "book" actually goes through warm up exercises, full step cadence for normal walking and for a bit more aerobic of a workout, followed by a walk through of stretches following the walk. I borrowed this from the library but plan to check if I can download the second part until I learn the warm up and cool down stretches better.

[Vanessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

listening to the audiobook. LOVE the narration so far because it doesn't sound like they're reading off a page but instead, having a conversation.

have a renewed appreciation for walking as a means toward healthy living after listening to the 1st half. also i feel lucky to live in an area that is conducive to incorporating walking (instead of driving)in my daily routine.

2nd half was a little silly as it was an actual workout set to variable walking rhythms.

[jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Weil's audiobooks. His voice is just so darn soothing. But this especially I like because the authors' enthusiasm is practically palpable, and it's short and to the point. I especially like the walk-along tracks--I use the stretching ones when I'm at the gym. :P

[Taryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very informative. Didn't realize people actually used walking sticks to exercise.

[Christa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book on bringing the basics back into your workout routine.

[Mitesh Patel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one reaffirms the benefits of walking and how it can be made enjoyable.