Walking For Exercise – How To Get The Maximum Return On Your Efforts
Many people shy away from exercise as they imagine that it will be too taxing for them. It’s as if they think that they need to already be fit before they can get in shape. It’s no surprise that many of us associate getting fit with high energy fitness routines and getting hot, sweaty and out of breath.
Using similar logic, many people find it hard to imagine that a low intensity, low impact, low injury risk workout could deliver very significant health benefits, help you to lose weight and get in much better shape. However, that’s exactly what walking – an activity which requires no special equipment, training or expertise, and one which we all do on a daily basis – can do for you if you do it on a regular basis.
When you consider the numerous health benefits that walking offers, your sense of disbelief is only likely to grow. Walking can help to significantly reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke whilst improving the operational efficiency of the lungs. It can help to reduce your blood pressure level. It can help boost your energy level, help you to sleep better at night and combat depression. It can help to reduce the risk of certain forms of cancer. Recent research in the UK even seems to suggest that it may be effective in staving off Alzheimer’s disease. There’s no doubt that it can help you to lose weight and get in shape.
Looking at that list you would be forgiven for thinking that it was an advert for some expensive new dietary supplement or even the latest miracle drug. It’s hardly surprising that it can be difficult to credit. It’s also worth mentioning that – apart from a comfy pair of shoes – you don’t need any special equipment to get started on a walking exercise routine. Neither are there any expensive monthly membership fees to pay – it’s a very cost effective option. You also have the convenience of being able to fit it into your day whenever it suits you best.
Health professionals seem to agree that we should be targeting 10,000 steps a day on a regular basis in order to get the health benefits previously discussed. That equates to something between four and a half and five miles for the majority of people. It sounds like a fair old distance – but it’s easier to achieve than you think. Walk to work and leave the car in the garage. Take the stairs instead of using the lift. Get off the bus one or two stops before your final destination and complete your journey on foot. These are just some random examples of a few ways to boost your daily step count – there are plenty of other methods you could use, and they soon add up.
If you have any medical conditions, if you’re over forty years of age, or if you simply haven’t taken regular exercise for a while, then you would be well advised to get your doctor’s opinion prior to embarking upon any new exercise program. However, as long as you’re sensible and start off gradually in the beginning, walking will improve your overall health and fitness. Even more importantly, you will both feel and look better.
If you find it hard to stay motivated, then using an Omron pedometer, which can monitor your progress and display results in terms of steps taken, distance covered or calories burned, might be a good idea. You can also take advantage of the latest advances in exercise footwear design by using specially engineered shoes – such as Fit flops sandals – which increase the amount of work your lower body muscles do whilst walking normally. It effectively boosts the efficiency of your walking exercise.
Posted under Miscellaneous Content
This post was written by admin on September 4, 2010
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Exercise plays an important role for our health and I think when we are to start doing some exercise, we should consider what to do that will benefit us and at the same time safe for us. Thanks for the post.
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