Walk It Off

STUDIES SHOW THAT WALKING has many benefits, from improving your cardiovascular health to reducing abdominal fat——and every little bit counts. Taking the stairs or parking your car at the back of the lot helps to get in a few extra steps. Research has shown that only 4 percent of people take the stairs when given an alternative; buck the trend and take the path less traveled (and less crowded).

In addition to braving the stairs, I recommend venturing outdoors to try some of the amazing walking opportunities we have in this city. Here are a few great walks to try.

San Diego Harbor: Start at North Harbor Drive near Hawthorn Street (there is usually plenty of parking along the harbor) and walk south to Seaport Village and back. Along the way, enjoy the public art on view, courtesy of the Port of San Diego, on the west side of Harbor. Don’t linger too long, though; for maximum health benefits, you should walk at a brisk pace. Round-trip distance: 2.5 miles.

Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve: Park at the south side of the reserve and take the mellow Guy Fleming Trail for some spectacular sea views. (Bonus: From now until the end of March, you may even catch a glimpse of migrating gray whales.) For a more challenging walk, park at the north beach entrance and walk up to the Parry Grove Trail. About 70 stairs on this trail will add a little extra calorie burn. Round-trip distance for Guy Fleming Trail: .7 mile; for walk to reserve and Parry Grove Trail: 3 miles.

Mission Trails Regional Park: For a more rugged environment, travel just 8 miles east of downtown San Diego to this park located off Mission Gorge Road. Park at the visitor center and take the paved Father Junípero Serra Trail. This path has some gentle slopes that will get your heart going if you walk at a good pace. There are several other trails that branch off the pavement; don’t be afraid to try them all. Remember to bring plenty of water and pack something like a small bag of almonds for a snack. Round-trip distance: 3.6 miles.

Walking just 30 minutes a day can help you lose dangerous belly fat, but remember, exercise is only 20 percent of the health equation. What you eat fills up that other 80 percent, so don’t neglect your diet. Eating the right amount of sugar and carbohydrates is the most immediate way to experience instant health benefits. Aim to get no more than 15 grams of sugar a day and no more than six servings of carbs. I call this the S/C ValueTM. To learn more about this simple way to eat smarter, visit my Web site (thebellyfatcure.com), and check out sandiegomagazine.com/Jorge for local success stories.

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San Diego’s Jorge Cruise is the author of three consecutive New York Times bestsellers, with more than 5 million books in print. Visit thebellyfatcure.com for his free special report on belly fat.

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