Stay in step through the winter

It’s true—it’s cold outside. It’s tempting this time of year to sit inside on a frigid, blustery day and read a book under a blanket while sipping a mug of tea. This can make it difficult for us to find that motivation we had at the beginning of the year to exercise and get fit. But when we really think about it, we know that physical activity is a necessary part of our daily routine. So how we can get in our 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week of physical activity without being in fear of freezing our feet off?

Mall walking! While this isn’t a new idea, or even a very creative one, the mall is extremely underutilized for those who wish to exercise. The many malls across Metro Atlanta can offer some of the best perks. (See chart at right.) While you should walk at a pace that is challenging yet comfortable for you, a good rule of thumb is to use the talk test. The talk test will determine if you are exercising at a moderate or vigorous level of activity. If you’re walking at a moderate pace, you should be able to talk, but not sing. Vigorous activity occurs when you are not able to say more than a few words without having to stop. If you walk into the vigorous zone, slow down or take a quick break to lower your heart rate back to a moderate level.

Most malls in our area open their front doors at least an hour early for mall walkers to have free reign. So step into the land of department stores with a nice pair of walking shoes and have fun this winter.

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A temperature-controlled building

Easy to access bathrooms

Free water fountains

Flat and level walking routes

A well-lit and safe environment with a security presence

Benches to rest

No membership required, so family and friends can walk with you

Where to Walk

Enclosed malls normally open a half-hour before the stores inside them begin their hours— usually 9:30 a.m. on weekdays and Saturday, and 11:30 a.m. on Sundays. However, that’s just a rule of thumb. Before you head over to a mall to begin your walking workout, do a bit of research and make sure you’re not stuck out in the cold.

Cobb County

Cumberland Mall

1000 Cumberland Mall Dr., Atlanta 30339

770-435-2206, www. cumberlandmall.com

Galleria Specialty Mall

1 Galleria Pkwy., Atlanta 30339

770-955-8000, www. galleriaspecialtyshops.com

Town Center at Cobb

400 Ernest W. Barrett Pkwy., Kennesaw 30144

770-424-0742, www.simon.com/ mall/town-center-at-cobb

DeKalb County

Gallery at South DeKalb 2801 Candler Rd., Decatur 30034 404-241-2431, xt. 3022, www. galleryatsouthdekalb.com

North DeKalb Mall

2050 Lawrenceville Hwy., Decatur 30033

404-320-7960, www. northdekalbmall.com

Northlake Mall

4800 Briarcliff Rd. NE, Atlanta 30345

770-938-3565, www. northlakemall.com

Perimeter Mall

4400 Ashford Dunwoody Rd. NE, Atlanta 30346

770-394-4270, www. perimetermall.com

Fulton County

North Point Mall

1000 North Point Circle, Alpharetta 30022

770-740-9273, www. northpointmall.com

Lenox Square

3393 Peachtree Rd. NE, Atlanta 30326 404-233-7575, www.simon.com/ mall/lenox-square

Phipps Plaza

3500 Peachtree Rd. NE, Atlanta 30326 404-261-7910, www.simon.com/ mall/phipps-plaza

Gwinnett County

Gwinnett Place Mall

2100 Pleasant Hill Rd., Duluth 30096 770-813-6840, www. shopgwinnettmall.com

Mall of Georgia

1825 Mall of Georgia Blvd St. D, Buford 30519 770-271-9458, www.simon.com/ mall/mall-of-georgia

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