Do I need to be logged in to record my miles?

Yes. You will need to be logged into your account in order for you to be able to track the miles you walk/run/cycle and to view your total contribution to the American Diabetes Association®, WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease, and Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization™.

Can I log miles that are biked? I don't like to walk/run.

Yes, your miles from walking, running, or cycling (up to 20 miles per day) count towards the $0.10/mile donation split among the American Diabetes Association, WomenHeart, and Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization™.

What makes BeeWell for Life so special?

Unlike other sites where you can log miles and log your nutrition, we make your miles matter! As an incentive to get active, BeeWell for Life turns your miles into donations towards a worthy cause. For 2012, we’ve already committed to donate $50,000 each to the American Diabetes Association, WomenHeart, and Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization™. Starting in early March 2012, you will have new opportunities to earn points by completing challenges, logging calories, and selecting the cause(s) they should benefit. And based on miles logged (and points earned) by the community during the year, we’ll donate up to $300,000 more. So start walking, running, and riding to make a difference!

In January 2012, for every mile you log, Bumble Bee Foods will donate $0.10, split among the American Diabetes Association, WomenHeart, and Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization™. Together, we’ll make a difference and help provide support to those touched by diabetes, heart disease, and breast cancer. There will be even more exciting changes to our program in 2012, so stay tuned!

What is Bee Delicious with Willow & Stephanie?

Your body needs the right nutrition to keep you on your active path. Bee Delicious helps you do just that! Each week, Willow & Stephanie bring you articles, tips and ideas to help you eat well and BeeWell! To read their latest articles, click here.

Who are Willow & Stephanie?

Stephanie Clarke and Willow Jarosh are the co-owners of C&J Nutrition, a nutrition communications firm and nutrition counseling practice based in New York City. Both Stephanie and Willow are registered dietitians with graduate degrees in nutrition communications and backgrounds ranging from clinical nutrition to corporate wellness and health and nutrition writing. You can find out more about Willow and Stephanie here.

Can I find BeeWell for Life on Facebook or Twitter?

Yes! We have a page on both networks. Just search for "BeeWell for Life" and become a fan/friend/follower!

How does walking compare to running?

Walking can provide the same benefits as a running program. General health benefits are acquired from any walking. For cardio benefits the key is walking fast enough to get your heart rate up. Walkers may miss fewer days due to injury than runners while achieving similar improvements in aerobic conditioning.

How many steps in a mile?

One mile is equal to 5,280 feet. Most people say it takes about 2000 steps for every mile. Of course everyone's stride is different. An average stride is usually somewhere between 2 and 3 feet in length. So on average it takes between 1,760 and 2,640 steps to complete one mile.

To measure your stride, mark a distance of 50 feet. Now walk this distance and count your steps. Divide 50 by the number of steps and that is your stride length. Now, divide 5,280 by your stride length to find your "average steps per mile".

How many calories are burned walking one mile?

This will vary depending on the individual, speed walked, terrain, etc. An average is 100 calories per mile.

How many calories do I need to burn to lose one pound?

One pound of body fat is equal to 3,500 calories.

A healthy rate of weight loss is approximately one to two pounds per week. If you are losing faster than that you may be losing bone and muscle mass in addition to fat. In order to average one pound per week it would be necessary to burn an additional 500 calories per day. (7 days a week X 500 calories per day = 3,500 calories.)

If you do not have the time or energy to burn the additional 500 calories a day you can use a combination of calorie reduction and exercise. Such as burning 300 calories a day through exercise and reducing calorie intake by 200 calories.

What are the benefits of walking?

Walking or running for fitness can help you achieve a number of important health benefits:

• Reduce your risk of a heart attack
• Manage your blood pressure
• Reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes
• Manage your diabetes
• Manage your weight
• Manage stress and boost your spirits
• Stay strong and active

What should I look for in a walking shoe?

• Low heel
• Flexible sole
• Lightweight and breathable fabric
• GREAT fit

Should I prepare before I walk?

Yes. Take time to prepare yourself to prevent injuries, such as blisters on your feet or muscle pain.

Wear walking shoes and comfortable, protective clothing.

Before you set out, be sure to select comfortable footwear. Also dress in loose fitting, comfortable clothing and in layers if you need to adjust to changing temperature. If you walk outside, choose clothes appropriate for the weather. Avoid rubberized materials, as they don't allow perspiration to evaporate. Wear bright colors or reflective tape after dark so that motorists can see you.

Warm up

Spend about five minutes walking slowly to warm up your muscles. You can walk in place if you want. Increase your pace until you feel warm. Warming up your muscles reduces your risk of injury.

Stretch

After warming up, stretch your muscles for about five minutes before walking. Include the calf stretch, quadriceps stretch, hamstring stretch, lower back flexion stretch and chest stretch.

What is considered a good fitness walking pace?

An average fitness walking pace is close to a 15-minute mile. But, a good pace will vary depending on your fitness level, walking technique, walking goals, and terrain. For general fitness walking you should walk at a pace that increases your heart rate, and you can maintain for 30 to 60 minutes. Use the talk test... if you can't speak without gasping for air you are walking too fast. If you are walking slow enough that you can carry a tune you are probably walking too slow.

How can I increase the number of steps I walk?

There are many ways to increase your daily steps. Use your imagination and come up with your own list:

• Take a walk with your spouse, child, or friend
• Walk the dog
• Use the stairs instead of the elevator
• Park farther from the store
• Better yet, walk to the store
• Get up to change the channel
• Window shop
• Plan a walking meeting
• Walk over to visit a neighbor