The Benefits of Walking
Exercise has become popular over the past few years. There are many ways people are keeping fit. Walking, however, isn’t the first choice amongst Americans.
Your selection of physical activities doesn’t have to be for long periods or intense, for you to benefit from it. Walking for thirty minutes a day carries plenty of advantages that contribute to your holistic well-being.
Let’s look at a few of the benefits you can gain from this exercise:
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Weight Loss
Walking might seem like a tedious movement with no real benefit. Losing weight is possible if you are intentional about your exercise and walk about 45 minutes a few days a week. The frequency, duration, and intensity of your walking will determine how many calories you burn.
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Improves the Health of Your Heart
When you engage in a routine of walking, your heart’s efficiency level will improve and become stronger. This will result in more oxygen and nutrients being delivered to all your organs.
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Improves other Health Conditions
Walking not only helps your heart but can also help with reducing bad cholesterol, assist with your diabetes, and aid in lowering your blood pressure.
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Boosts your Immune System
It has been proven that those who walk 20 minutes a day for at least five days a week, have been sick less than those who exercised for fewer days. If they happen to fall ill, they recover much faster than others.
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Helps You Connect with Others
Besides your health, going for an amble can also create opportunities for you to meet up with others. You could join a walking or hiking club. You could also invite friends or family members to your daily exercise and use it as a time to catch up.
While being outside in the fresh air and burning those calories can reward you, it’s also vital that you remain safe. It’s important to always warm-up before walking and then to cool down afterward. Staying hydrated will also help prevent muscle cramps and dehydration.
Another aspect of being safe is by making sure that you are always visible, especially when walking alongside a busy road. Ensure that you and whoever you are with always adhere to the road rules as a pedestrian.
Always advise your family which route you’ll take before you leave home, in case they need to find you. Also, ensure you have some form of identity on you in case of an emergency so that your next of kin can be notified.
Be alert and vigilant for any suspicious-looking people. Walkers are often a target for petty theft. Leave your valuables at home so as not to attract any attention to yourself. This is another advantage of having a walking partner, it’s unlikely you will be approached if not alone.
If you sustain any injuries in an accident, fall, or altercation, make sure you take time off from exercising to ensure a full recovery. In a case where you need assistance with compensation for injuries, you’ve sustained, especially to your spinal cord, contact a back injury lawyer for advice.
Take Away
Walking is one of the most underestimated exercises. There are many benefits you can derive from participating in this activity. Your health will improve, you’ll make meaningful connections with others, and burn calories at the same time.
Some precautions need to be taken to ensure you remain safe. At the end of the day, the benefits of walking far outweigh any difficulties you might encounter when doing so.
14 Comments
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Kate Sarsfield
I used to do long distance walks, up & down mountains. Hurts too much these days (:
Tamra Phelps
I’m still hoping to get my knee surgery soon so I can go for a walk again. Patience is not my strong suit, and neither is losing weight, lol, so it is a slow process.
heather
I am all about walking for exercise these day but I need a better pair of walking shoes for sure. I really liked reading this post thanks for sharing these great tips.
Tamra Phelps
I can’t believe it’s been over a year since I commented on this and I still haven’t had the knee surgery. It’s getting so frustrating.
Kate Sarsfield
I find it staggering how many walkers wear ear buds or headsets. It’s so dangerous!
Crystal K
My favorite part of walking is that it gets me out of my house (I work from home) and gives me some peace.
Veronica Lee
Walking has so many benefits but I am such a couch potato!
Tamra Phelps
I go back to my orthopedist in a few weeks and I’m hoping he’ll schedule my knee surgery soon. It’ll be good to be able to go for walks in the Spring weather.
megan allen
I love to walk! I have to admit I will not do it in the cold!! I am not a winter person. But when it warms up I will be walking every chance I get! Thank you for sharing!
Rosie
Walking is my favorite exercise, although lately I’ve been trying to do planks, but don’t seem to be getting any better at it. I’d never be a runner with my knees, and walking is something you don’t dread to do, either.
Dana Rodriguez
This is so true. I just don’t like it in the summer here. Too humid!
Kelly Kimmell
I agree that there are so many benefits of walking. For me, it definitely helps when I am super stressed.
Tamra Phelps
I look forward to getting a new knee so I can get back to walking, lol. It is great and easy exercise.