Handbags a health hazard, women warned

Handbags a health hazard, women warned - Yahoo! News (Reuters)

Yeah, well, duh...

The key to successful long walks for me *is to not carry a heavy bag*.

Not only does a heavy bag make the long walk harder, but my right hip starts hurting. The hip never did make it back 100% from all the hauling I used to do to and from my college art classes (using backpack and portfolio case!)

In my case, I can't simply switch my bag to my left shoulder, because I have lymphedema issues with my left arm and shoulder. (Use a backpack instead? Might work?)

I have osteoporosis, too, as do many women over 50. (BTW, have you had your bone density tested?)

But, regardless of my own personal old lady issues...

Another factor in this situation is all the hi-tech crap we're hauling now. I shouldn't say "crap", as I have my dear iPod and Palm with me here as I speak... Point is we're hauling more stuff these days: cellphone? iPod? Palm? laptop? Nintendo DS? Even car keys are heavier than they used to be (really).

Also, what's the deal with kids' heavy backpacks in recent years? Whatever happened to school lockers?! I couldn't believe the loads my son carried - it worried me. His back bothered him, too.

Less is more... Ah, simplicity. Simplify, simplify, Thoreau wisely wrote.