Do you circle the car park a few times looking for the one car space just by the entrance of the shopping mall? Do you make excuses every time your children ask you to play with them in the garden? If going up the stairs when the lift is out of order leaves you breathless, then you need to consider some form of exercise to keep you alive. Walking is something we do naturally maybe not effortlessly, but with a little determination we can make it part of our daily routine towards a healthy lifestyle.
Health Benefits of Walking
It is a known fact that lack of regular exercise can result in poor health or even untimely death. The stress of the modern age has significantly increased unhealthy lifestyles and the risk of ill health. The longer working hours, pollution, fast foods, easy access to unhealthy habits are all contributors to the increase in mortality rate.
People that undergo exercise regularly tend to live longer and enjoy life more than those who prefer a slower pace of life. Medical professional advice that moderate exercise such as walking can reduce the chances of stroke, high blood pressure, cancer, diabetes and other related diseases.
The thought of high blood pressure will fill anyone with dread, but most of us do not care enough to do something about it. Overindulgence especially with food and lack of physical activities is a contributor to the risk of higher blood cholesterol level. High blood pressure can also arise from the build up of cholesterol in the arteries which increases the working of the heart. When the heart is overworked, it can lead to strokes, heart attacks, kidney failure or other heart related diseases.
Medical experts advise that a healthy lifestyle that incorporates regular exercise routines can reduce the risk of high cholesterol level. Consistent walking is a good way to start exercising especially for those who need a gentle but effective introduction to a healthy lifestyle.
If you want to improve your muscle tone, walking is the ideal exercise if you cannot fit regular gym visits into your everyday schedule. It is also known to reduce the occurrence of bone related diseases in later life including arthritis and osteoporosis.
Walk to lose Weight
Most people are on and off a diet for most of their adult lives, whether it is a reduction of food portions, partial abstinence or following one of those fad diets. Any healthy eating plan cannot be complete without some form of regular exercise.
Walking can help combat obesity and is often prescribed to those who are keen to lose weight but find gym visits a chore. Weight loss has a positive impact on one’s self esteem and can be accomplished through walking a fair distance regularly.
Mind Therapy
Walking is a great way to relieve the mind of everyday stress, pressures of work, household chores etc. Walking not only benefits the body but also benefits the mind, it is known to improve one’s mood and wade off depression and other overwhelming feelings. It allows you to enjoy the gift of Mother Nature; fresh air and the scenery around you.
Free For All
Walking does not require a gym membership neither does it lock you into a 12 month contract. It is a free and a fun way to exercise and improve a sedentary life. Committing to a walk of at least 2 miles a day can improve your overall health especially your heart. When you get your joints moving by walking, there is also improvement to your circulatory system.
Start Walking Today
Before you undertake any form of exercise, you should visit a medical practitioner for a health assessment to ensure you are fit to do so. Once you get the go ahead, invest in a pair of comfortable walking shoes and hit those walking trails. Find a walking buddy if you do not want to do it alone. Choose a path that is quiet and convenient rather than a busy road. You can walk to work, during your lunch break, when taking the kids to school, going to the mall or at any given time. It is easy to fit walking into your lifestyle as you do not require any complicated equipment to add it to your daily routine.
You can break your walks into 20 minutes schedule if you cannot accomplish the recommended 2 miles at one go. Get a speedometer so you can monitor your paces and distance covered. Endeavour to increase the distance on a weekly basis and whatever you do be consistent.
