As I prepared for my move to Lansing, a wise Australian (who shall remain unnamed) warned me that the shock of moving to a new country, coupled with becoming a newlywed, would have its consequences. I listened politely as they handed me a copy of “
The Little Book of Crisis: How to Cope With Change,” and I scoffed at them in secret.
I'd moved overseas before, so I knew what to expect. And as for marriage, my husband and I put a good four years into our relationship before considering the big M. What could possibly be so different that I couldn’t cope?
Well, no one mentioned that I’d gain a whopping 35 pounds in less than three years of Lansing life! Forgive me for saying this, but
crikey! That’s a problem!
I’d like to say it was all muscle-mass from my intense training regime for the
2012 London Olympic Games, but that would be a lie. I racked my brain trying to figure out what had caused this monstrosity of a number on the scale. I was eating the same amount of food, and I was working out whenever I had time, just as I had done before.
So why this sudden increase in body mass?
A Don't-Walk World While lacing up my walking shoes one cool morning, the cause of my weight gain hit me like a big truck of an epiphany.
When I lived in Canberra, I used to
walk everywhere! I walked to work, and then walked to school. For longer trips, I’d walk to the bus stop and catch the bus.
I didn’t have to make a point to work out, because I was already logging an hour of exercise a day, just getting around. Truth be told, I didn’t even own a vehicle!
This newfound problem—the battle of the
BMI—had to be dealt with, so I figured I’d just resume my old walking habits here in Lansing. I’d make a point to walk everywhere, just like the good old days in Australia.
It turns out that most Lansing area roads are just not very walk- or bicycle-friendly. In fact, while perusing the web site of
Walk and Bike Lansing!, a
group working to improve the city's sidewalk and bikeway system, I learned that every three days someone is hit while walking or bicycling in Lansing.
I worried that the battle of the BMI would have to be dealt with indoors; I joined the
YMCA of Lansing.
But then I heard about
Smart Commute.
Five years ago, the
Mid-Michigan Environmental Action Council,
Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance, and the
League of Michigan Bicyclists thought it would be a good idea to start a “Bike to Work Week” program or event.
As they reached out to the community for partners, the
Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA) was interested in working on the project if it were inclusive of other alternate means of transport like carpooling, vanpooling and riding the bus. And that was how Smart Commute was born.
“Most of our partners are still primarily interested in the bicycling side of things, but we went with Smart Commute to encourage all modes and partner with CATA,” said Jessica Yorko, president and director of
Sustainable Business Solutions.
“Other great partners have been the
Michigan Energy Office,
MSU Bikes,
Tri-County Bicycle Association,
Denny's Central Park Bikes,
Spin Street Bikes, the
Governor's Council on Physical Fitness,
MSU's Health 4 U program,
Lansing Community College,
Ingham Regional Medical Center and others.”
Yorko works closely with the Mid-Michigan Environmental Action Council, and developed the
Walk and Bike Lansing! plan, which helps build the infrastructure and resources to support Smart Commute.
The group is
kicking off its campaign at Hunter Park on Sat. May 16.
Three ReasonsYorko says it’s important for Lansing residents to consider Smart Commuting as an alternative means of transportation for three reasons: health, money and the environment.
“Cardiovascular and emotional health vastly improve when people are physically active, and walking and bicycling as a part of the normal course of your day is one of the easiest ways to adopt the habit of being active,” says Yorko. “If commuting is part of your day, and you can make it a smart commute, you'll feel great all day.”
She also notes that you save money on gas, parking and the wear and tear on your car. Beyond personal savings, Yorko also notes that the greater percentage of trips by foot and bike means less wear and tear on our roads—which also saves government spending on roads.
“Clearly Michigan's roads are crumbling, and we don't have the revenue to maintain them; All the more reason to encourage alternate modes," says Yorko.
"It also helps employers save money. Employers who give employees more opportunities for physical activity throughout the day have seen up to 30 percent reduction in health care claims, disability leave and absenteeism.”
As for the environment, she adds, “Michigan's CO2 emissions increased 46 percent from 1960 to 2001, primarily as a result of oil combustion for transportation. In Michigan, vehicles create 30 percent of our ozone-forming pollutants, which trigger asthma and other respiratory problems."
Yorko says that all of the sources and information to back up her stats are available
here.
My ChallengeFor Yorko, Smart Commute is about saving money, helping the environment and feeling great.
For me, it’s about seeing a number I recognize on the scale again. And yes, saving money and the environment would also be a very large plus (holding back some more puns.)
I am so excited about what Smart Commute could do for Lansing that I’m participating in June!
Yep, that’s right. I will attempt to walk to work. Mind you, walking is only recommended when you live close to your work, but I’m summoning my repressed nomadic camel herder genes.
Check out
my Google walking route for an idea of where I‘m walking to and from. Feel free to start a vote as to whether I’ll make it to work. Have faith, people. I can do this!
I think. . . .
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Suban Nur Cooley is a freelance writer whose goal is not to become a statistic. Why not join me and Smart Commute yourself? Eh? Contact me
here and let me know your efforts to Smart Commute this year.
Dave Trumpie is the managing photographer for Capital Gains. He is a freelance photographer and owner of Trumpie Photography.
Photos:
Suban Nur Cooley
Westside YMCA
Pedestrian & Bike map
Jessica Yorko
All Photographs © Dave Trumpie