Do you find yourself, like many people, in the position where you would like to take more exercise but, for a variety of reasons, you just never seem to get round to it? Certainly, there’s no shortage of reasons -or excuses - for not taking exercise. Lack of energy, not enough time, lack of specialized equipment - these are just a few examples of why it’s so often easier to miss out on exercise than to just get on and do it. Factor in the high cost of monthly gym membership fees and it’s no wonder that many of us get much less exercise than we would wish.
If there was a way to take exercise which didn’t need you to get all hot sweaty and out of breath, was easy to do and which didn’t require the use of any special equipment, then it would probably be a lot easier to motivate yourself to take exercise more often. If it was an exercise which could be slotted into your daily routine whenever it suited you best, then that would be ideal.
The good news is that this form of exercise does exist - walking. It’s something that we all do every day. It requires no special equipment, training or expertise - all you need is a comfortable pair of shoes and you’re good to go. It’s also a very low cost way to take exercise - and you can fit it into your daily schedule whenever it’s convenient for you.
When you look at the potential health benefits of walking for exercise, you could be forgiven for thinking you were looking at an advert for some new miracle drug. It lowers blood pressure levels. It increases the efficiency of the lungs. It builds muscle and increases bone density. It lowers the risk of heart disease and stroke. It can reduce the risk of certain cancers. It helps to fight anxiety and depression and also promotes better sleep. It boosts your energy levels and leaves you feeling generally better. It helps you to lose weight and get in shape.
According to health professionals, in order to achieve all of these benefits, we should aim to take 10,000 steps a day. For the average person, that’s equivalent to a distance of between four and a half and five miles - although if you have a very long or very short stride length then this may vary somewhat.
It does sound like a long way, but you would probably be surprised at just how easy it actually is to achieve. Walking to work or school and leaving the car in the garage once or twice a week is a good start. Getting off the bus one or two stops early and finishing the last leg of your journey on foot is good. Taking the stairs instead of the elevator will help. When you do use your car, parking in a corner of the lot away from the entrance so that you have further to walk will boost your step count. There are plenty of ways to get to the 10,000 step figure. Every little helps.
Take it easy when you’re starting out. Start off slowly and build up gradually whenever you feel comfortable to do so. Because walking is a low impact, low injury risk, workout it is suitable for the vast majority of people. However, if you are over forty, if you have any medical conditions, or if you haven’t taken regular exercise for some time, then do seek medical advice before you embark upon any new exercise regime.
Have a look at the huge selection of styles available from Fitflops - sandals, boots, clogs and slippers. Try using an Omron pedometer to monitor your progress and help you to stay motivated.
categories: health,fitness,weight loss,lose weight,exercise,workout,walking,uncategorized
Tags: exercise, fitness, health, lose weight, Uncategorized, walking, weight loss, workout