Commute Actively

53 Days to Memorial Day

A study came out late last year that I found particularly interesting. One of the common themes among my circle of transplants here in NYC is a perceived weight loss of 5 to 15lbs after moving into the city. I mean anybody that moved here from anywhere else seems to have a story like this here.

A study conducted jointly by Rutgers and The University of Tennessee shows why. As reported in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health, countries with the highest usage of active transit, trains buses, bicycles, walking, have the lowest obesity rates in the world. In fact, the two figures relate directly. So NYC being such a pedestrian and train heavy place, it makes sense.

Here's how the numbers break down. USA: 12% use active transportation. 25%-30% obesity rates. Netherlands : 62% use active transportation. 11% obesity rate. Latvia: 67% use public transportation. 14% obesity rate. So, as per the study, say americans walk an average of 87 miles and bike 24 miles each year. Europeans walk 237miles and bike 116 miles. That's an average of 9lbs burned each year for each European and 2lbs for each American. Now, granted NYC and Europe are constructed much more compactly than much of the nation, but these numbers should tell us something about our car addiction.

Forget about crazy oil prices and environmental concerns for a minute here. How many millions of people in this country have been trying to lose " that last 5 lbs.?" The average European is losing 7 more pounds than we are every year simply because of their commute. That says a lot. What kind of choices can we make on a daily basis to make our commutes just a bit more active? Maybe we park a little further away from the office. Maybe we drive to the commuter rail and then ride in. There's always the option of taking the stairs up to the office once you do get there. Every single day, make one better choice for yourself to create an active lifestyle. It adds up.