Walking is an activity that almost anybody can do. It requires no special equipment, training or expertise. With an increasingly aging population in North America, the need for a safe and effective exercise regime is becoming more relevant. The need for a low impact, effective, and health-promoting workout can easily be found in walking long or short distances regularly on a daily basis.
Even now, walking is regarded as one of the most popular forms because it is quite easy, readily repeatable, self-reinforcing, and sustainable physical activity, especially for a very busy and sedentary lifestyle. You don’t have to make a special trip to the gym or pay membership fees in order to do it. It is something you can easily fit into your daily schedule whenever and however it’s most convenient for you.
Walking is a rhythmic, dynamic, aerobic activity of large skeletal muscles that results in numerous benefits and minimal adverse effects. Walking, faster than customary, and regularly in sufficient quantity helps to maintain at least 70% functioning of maximal heart rate and also helps to develop and sustain physical fitness. Walking strengthens the muscles of the legs, pelvis and lower trunk and preserves the flexibility of their joints. This helps to improve the posture and carriage of the individual.
Walking also enhances a multitude of bodily processes that are inherent in skeletal muscle activity and there is growing evidence of walking helping in the prevention of heart attack and in the treatment of hypertension, musculoskeletal disorders, and in rehabilitation after a heart attack and in chronic respiratory disease.
The benefits of walking are numerous. So many people are completely unaware of how powerful taking brisk walks daily can do for their emotional, physical and mental wellbeing. The results of taking a walk for at least 20 to 30 minutes might surprise you and look at the end result of it can help make you change and adapt to this trend.
Walking is not a strenuous form of physical exercise. It’s not intensive the way running can be and allows you to start exercising to lose weight. It’s also one you don’t have to do alone and could even be an enjoyable social activity. You can walk with a few of your friends or with a large group of people.
Walking allows you to get outside and enjoy the fresh air, you can also enjoy walking alongside other fun activities like sightseeing, window shopping, listening to music or having a conversation with someone else over the phone or in person. It’s also not intensive and you only need comfortable clothes, the proper footwear and a safe area to take your walks in order to get started.
Walking offers a large scale of benefits with few risks. A study has reported that a person walking for at least 3 hours a week had a whopping 40% lower risk of stroke and heart attacks compared to another person who didn’t make the effort to walk. If you think that you have a family history of stroke or heart disease, you may want to adopt walking as a regular form of exercise.
As surprising as this may sound, taking walks often helps to reduce stress and clear the mind. This type of exercise has the capacity to help lower your blood pressure, improve your total cholesterol profile, reduce the risk of osteoporosis for women and help lower your risk of certain kinds of cancer. It is among the most efficient, low-impact workouts that are available and maybe the simplest form of exercise people can engage in without the risk of developing shin splints, torn muscles, cartilages or ligaments.
The list of health benefits associated with walking is endless. There are a number of other benefits attributable to walking that is not listed above, those provided here are just to illustrate how effective and beneficial the activity is. Making small changes to your daily routine is all that’s needed to achieve these benefits. Walking for as little as 30 minutes a day will have a positive impact and if you can build up to 10,000 steps daily (equivalent to 5 miles a day for most people), you’ll definitely begin to feel the benefits on your overall health and looks.
If you’re thinking about how to incorporate walking into your everyday routine without necessarily setting time apart for it, you can decide to get off one or two stops ahead of your destination (if you’re taking a bus) and walk the rest of the distance. You can also decide to take the stairs instead of using the elevator or decide to take a 15-minute walk during your lunch break. These are all very achievable minor improvements that will gradually produce improvements in your health and fitness levels.
Don’t forget to seek the advice of your doctor before starting any new exercise regime – especially if you haven’t exercised for a while or if you have any long term medical condition. However, one key to achieving long term health benefits is consistent and regular exercise.
Include walking as a part of your day to day routine and be all the better for it.
Look better, feel better, have more energy and enjoy life, even more, EVERY SINGLE STEP of the way.
With Love and gratitude as always, Xo!
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Disclaimer: Please note that I am not your doctor while I am a health coach by profession. This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice nor does it establish any kind of medical relationship between you and me. I will not be held liable for anyx damage resulting from or related to your use of this information.