Walking With Music
Music is such a wonderful way to set a pace when you are walking and can put you in a great… or even pensive mood. There are some real benefits to having your special song lists set up to get you moving… along with your camera!
Ever since the mp3 players and the iPod became popular, you see people working out with ear buds and a wire hooking them into a upbeat song list, a book on tape, or even a broadcast of the news while they are running on a treadmill at the gym. Runners are known for setting their pace while listening to music. And, you do see people out walking while connected to an electronic device. Usually they are solo walkers who, obviously, love to connect music and find walking as a time of relaxation and renewal...and great exercise.
Smart phones have certainly taken us way beyond the early days of a music collection on a separate electronic device. You literally can be prepared for everything you want to do… take excellent photos, listen to your collection of music, stream music from services like Pandora via Bluetooth, check the weather for the day, find a map to get you to a new walking place, and then track your walk to save for future reference.
Electronics have changed our lives in so many ways! We are a society of multi-tasking and all the gadgets just keep building on this craziness, but our lives can be so much richer if we use these “toys” to enhance the adventures we seek and enjoy! The old saying of “you can't walk and chew gum” has been proven wrong!
I recently found this wonderful site: The Fitness Walking Guide.com. It has so much good information to set-up a playlist for music that will set a great pace for you, depending on where you are in your fitness level. I think the thing we all need to remember is walking for exercise is so valuable, in so many ways. And, the combination of a camera and your favorite song list can really give you fantastic inspiration to keep moving.
I actually like having my music streaming from Pandora and taking photos with my “stand alone” camera… either my DSLR or my Samsung pocket camera. I experimented taking photos with upbeat music and other photos with slow instrumentals… I saw things differently… you should try this out for yourself! Take a look at this video that the Surgeon General created to promote walking. They actually have a Surgeon General's Playlist on Pandora!
We all have to be motivated to do something… get better at moving…a camera can help…a fun place to explore can excite your senses…a friend to share an hour with on a great walk…some music that sets a pace or puts you in a happy mood. No matter what it takes, GO FOR IT!!!
I also found a great paragraph that was posted by someone who really believes that walking and music is a great combination. I share this with you as I cannot state it any clearer:
“There are lots of great benefits to listening to music while you’re walking. First, you can create a playlist for the length of time you are going to walk. Then your walk becomes a matter of songs, not miles or minutes. Music can be a fantastic motivator so tailor the playlist to your walk! If you have a set walking route or a routine you do on the treadmill, you can use your favorite song for that difficult hill or treadmill incline. To be safe, if you’re walking outside, always make sure you can hear what is going on around you. Your walking time is all about you and having music that moves you and motivates you makes the experience that much better!”
There is great information out on workout music to get fit, lose weight or just zone out to move your mind to a different space. One other site that I really like is “the skinny on health, fitness & weight loss.” You may find this a super motivator to help you along your way!
I would be remiss if I did not bring up the safety issues of tuning out with music while walking… and with your camera. Please find safe place to walk where you do not have to deal with cars. And pay attention to your surroundings. Crossing streets with music motivating you to move requires an ability to transfer between music and the outside world. You must be careful!! It is so easy to tune the world out! Your camera can help keep you focused on what you are seeing.
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