Frank Ring

Hello, I’m Frank Ring, the owner of the Walking for Health and Fitness Website.

I am the father of a wonderful teenage son. I am currently a teacher and Cross-County coach, and have been an athlete my whole life.

I’ve played baseball, basketball, ran cross country, lifted weights, and ran thousands of miles while tracking my progress in what I call my “virtual run” around the United States.

BACK PAIN & THE DREADED DIAGNOSIS

7 years ago, I began experiencing back pain which then traveled down my left leg. So, I began physical therapy and several months later the pain just suddenly disappears.

I began running again and several months later the pain had returned to my back and left leg and also developed a very sore inner right knee. Only this time I was worse and never responded to my return to physical therapy. Age has a way of slowing the recovery time down.

Then the dreaded diagnosis came from my Orthopedic doctor:

“Frank, you’ve got a herniated disk that looks pretty bad. Stop all activity, rest, and go to a Pain Management doctor. I’m hoping I don’t have to operate on you!”

Yeah, that got my attention and for 4 months I did… NOTHING!

No work, no PT, no running, and no yoga (as even that hurt). Sitting hurt, laying down hurt, everything hurt.

I was out of work at the same time my mom was in the final stages of her battle with pancreatic cancer.

Was I depressed? Maybe, maybe not, but I do know for sure that my thinking and outlook on life became a little “pessimistic or muddied” for lack of a better word.

Three Epidurals later and I was pain free! I returned to teaching and coaching in the fall and quite honestly was too busy and a little afraid to do any type of activity.

RECOVERY AND DISCOVERY

During my recovery period, I began to walk and began to enjoy it. I live in a hilly area of New Jersey and always included hills in my walk to get a good workout in.

I also began listening to podcasts and audiobooks. This was something I never did while running. The faster pace and intensity of running is not conducive to listening to a good book!

I never missed running during my recovery but I really enjoyed walking!

I loved the solitude, the time for reflection, the podcasts, audiobooks, and great music (I’m a 70’s classic rock fan).

Once I began full-time walking, two things happened;

• I quickly began to lose the weight I had gained during my inactivity,

• My thinking became much clearer.

I was healthy, happy, and now felt I had a greater purpose in life and that is to share the awesome benefits of walking with everyone!

MY BOOKS AND PROGRAMS

Since I began exclusively walking, I’ve not been injured and created the Walking for Health and Fitness website, wrote three walking books:

• Walking for Health and Fitness

• Fitness Walking and Bodyweight Exercises

• Walking Inspiration

I've also created two walking programs:

• Pleasure Walking

• Fitness Walking Exercise Program

Most of the ideas in the book and program came during my daily walks as I took notes with my iPhone! The ultimate in multi-tasking!

WHY I CREATED MY WEBSITE

I created this website with these goals in mind to help you:

· Developing a consistent routine in preparing to walk

· Developing good eating habits

· Developing good fitness routine habits

· Enjoying the walking lifestyle

Please check out all my walking information and contact me with any questions you may have.

Walking has helped me to physically get over my back issue and to help clear my mindset as I look forward to writing more books and recording more videos.

Frank Ring