76-year-old keeps fit walking daily

Want to lose 52 pounds? Walk it off

That would be Bob Pastorello’s advice anyway.

Why sit around when there are so many great walking trails in Placerville and a chance to burn up all those extra pounds packed on over the holidays?

Bob, a fit 76-year-old, keeps a close tab on how many miles he walks every year.

Last year he walked a total of 1,332 miles; in 2010 it was 1,100 miles; in 2009 it was 880 miles; and in 2008 it was 560 miles. Last year’s total had him burn up 181,669 calories or the equivalent of almost 52 pounds.

Bob racked up all those miles by making it a habit to walk every day for an hour. He also plays golf once a week and when the weather is bad he works out on the treadmill. But he’d rather be outside.

Bob said he and his wife Karolyn have always tried to live a healthy lifestyle. On a regular basis she, or occasionally his brother-in-law, joins him for a walk. Bob and his wife also avoid fast foods and eat lots of vegetables. “But we do enjoy our cocktails,” he said.

Bob got started on his walking regimen after his daughter Dara gave him an iPod and downloaded a ton of music on it. “That made it pleasant to walk”  he said. Then his niece gave him a Nike Plus. Now he has an iPhone to keep track of his miles. “All this technology helps me be more consistent because I track every mile I walk,” he said.

Originally from Chicago, Bob and his wife have lived in Placerville since 1981. They also have two daughters. One lives in Manteca and the other in Lodi.

Bob said everyone should walk regularly. “No matter your age, anyone can take to the trails for 30 to 60 minutes a day.” He didn’t start walking at such a pace until he was 73. “But you can work up to it by just walking a half hour a day. I used to run, but walking is just as good.”

“Just get out and walk” he said. “It doesn’t really cost anything. I’m so pleased to live in Placerville. We used to live in San Jose and when you’d go out for a walk you had to deal with the car fumes. In Placerville the paths are very accessible and there are no fumes.”

And besides, think of all that weight you can walk off.