Fitness isn’t about mastering crazy moves, or lifting heavy weights. It’s about creating a plan, taking action and making a commitment to yourself.
Physical activity, including walking, is widely known as a means of primary prevention and treatment for chronic diseases. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports, “regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health.” Exercise benefits everything from sleep quality to making you happier, regular exercise is key to living a healthy, balanced life.
Physical activity doesn’t need to be complicated. Something as simple as a daily brisk walk can help you live a healthier life.
In the words of Hippocrates (c. 460 – c. 370 BC), a Greek physician who is often referred to as the Father of Western Medicine, “Walking is man’s best medicine.”
Walking Is The Perfect Low Impact Exercise
If you haven’t exercised in a while, or are looking for something easy you can do every single day give walking a try. It’s the perfect low impact way to exercise. It’s easy to do, you don’t need any special equipment and you can start at the fitness level you’re at.
If you’re just beginning your fitness journey, start by going for a 10 or 15 minute walk around the neighborhood and work your way up from there. If you’re already in great shape, walking can still provide an effective workout. Walk fast and incorporate some hills and even stairs.
But, let’s not get ahead of ourselves here. If you’re like most of us, chances are you haven’t exercised much since you got out of college and need to start small. Maybe your doctor suggested that you move around more, or maybe you just want to be proactive about your health and wellbeing. In either case, walking is the perfect way to start.
Find a pair of comfortable shoes, put them on and go for a stroll through your neighborhood. You could also find a local park with a nice path you can walk on. If the weather doesn’t permit walking outside, head to your local mall and walk or hop on a treadmill.
You can even walk in place at home in front of your TV. Here’s a simple little idea to get you moving more. As you’re sitting on the couch at night watching TV, get up during commercial breaks and march in place until your favorite TV show comes back on. If you’re using a service like Netflix, make yourself walk in place for 10 minutes in between episodes. Or turn on the TV and challenge yourself to march in place during the entire show. Time will fly while you’re having fun watching TV and moving.
Speaking of having fun, going for a walk outside can be a lot of fun too. Mix up your route and walk in different areas of town, or visit different parks. Invite a friend to come along with you to walk. It’s always nice to have someone to talk to and having a walking buddy keeps you accountable. Last but not least, grab your phone or MP3 player and listen to music or audio books as you walk to make the time go by faster.
The main thing is that you get out there, move around, and get some exercise in a way that’s gentle on your joints, your heart, and the rest of your body and that’s what walking will do for you. Just give it a try and see if you don’t start to feel better, happier, and stronger after a few weeks of regular walks.
The Many Health Benefits Of Going For A Walk
There are a lot of good reasons to go for a walk. It’s fun, it’s relaxing, and most important it’s good for your health. But what exactly are the health benefits of walking? The benefits will convince you that heading out for a walk each day is a great idea and they will motivate you to stick to your walking schedule until you start to see results.
Walking Gets You Outside In The Fresh Air and Sunshine
No matter how fast or slow you walk, walking gets you outside and in the fresh air. This alone will make you feel better as your body absorbs the oxygen and sunshine. Both are important for your health and well-being.
You will find the air quality outside, particularly if you go for a walk on the beach or in a park, will be much better than the air inside your house. Of course, the sunshine outside will help your body product all the Vitamin D it needs.
Walking Can Help You Get To And Maintain A Healthy Weight
Walking particularly at a quick pace and doing it regularly can help you get to and then maintain a healthy weight. Yes, you still need to watch what you eat and aim for a healthy diet, but walking can be another tool to help you drop those extra pounds.
As you start to lose the weight, your overall strength and endurance increases, allowing you to walk longer, further, faster, and continuing the weight loss.
Walking Improves Your Sense Of Balance And Coordination
As you walk, particularly when walking over rougher terrain, you’re also working on your sense of balance and coordination. Just getting in the habit of going for a daily walk will help.
Walking Strengthens Your Bones and Muscles
Even though walking is a low impact form of exercise it helps to strengthen and tone your body. If you’re just starting out, it is all you need to start to get into better shape. As you get more fit, consider adding weight lifting exercises in addition to your daily walks to continue to get stronger and help develop strong muscles and bones.
Walking Will Boost Your Mood and Fight Depression
Last but not least, the exercise of walking releases endorphins that will help lift your mood and can even reduce depression. Give it a try. The next time you’re feeling tired or are in a bad mood, lace up your sneakers and go for a brisk walk. It works like a charm.
Harvard Health reports benefits of walking that might surprise you:
- counteracts the effects of weight-promoting genes
- helps tame a sweet tooth
- reduces the risk of developing breast cancer
- eases joint pain
- boosts immune function
How To Get In The Habit Of Walking More
We were designed to walk for miles and miles to hunt and gather our food. Yet, in modern society, we spend most of our time sitting down. That is not good for our bodies leading to a host of health problems. This is probably one of the most important reasons to make an effort to move around and go for a walk each day. Of course, that’s easier said than done. Most of us sit for our work, we eat sitting down, and to be honest all we want to do when we come home from work is plop down on the couch for a Netflix marathon until bedtime.
In other words, getting and staying in the habit of going for a walk each day can be a bit of a challenge. But that’s exactly what we need to do. We need to get in the habit of going for that walk just like we’re in the habit of brushing our teeth twice a day or taking out the trash on Tuesdays. Once it’s a well ingrained habit, it won’t be as much of a challenge to make sure we go for a walk each day.
A great place to start is to find a walking route you enjoy. It helps to make it as easy as possible. Your favorite walk may offer beautiful vistas, but if it’s a 30 minute drive there and back, you’ll be less likely to do it every single day. Instead, save that walk for the weekends and come up with something convenient and pleasant for your everyday walking routine. If you can, find a route in your own neighborhood so you can leave right from your front door. Just lace up your shoes and start walking.
Taking the same route every day helps form that habit. It’s also encouraging to notice that you can walk the same loop faster or with less effort over time. It proves that you’re making a difference and are getting stronger and increasingly fitter.
Listening to your favorite music, podcast or audio books is also helpful. It will make the time go by faster and give you something else to look forward to. You can even use your favorite media as a way to bribe yourself to go for your daily walk. Let’s say you have a couple of podcasts you enjoy. Save them for your walks and only let yourself listen to them while you’re walking. It’s a great incentive to get out there even on days when you’re not feeling it.
Last but not least consider walking with other people. Find a walking group in your area, or talk a friend or neighbor into becoming your walking buddy. Not only is it more fun to walk when you have someone to talk to, it also has some built in accountability. It’s much easier to skip a walking workout when you know that other people are waiting for you and relying on you to join them.
Give these tips a try and see if they help you make walking a daily habit and an integral part of your health, your fitness, and your life.
Using A Pedometer or Fitness Tracker To Get Your Walking In
Setting aside some time to go for a 45 minute walk isn’t always easy. We all live busy lives and between family and work, fitting in a workout isn’t always possible. What if I told you that you didn’t have to dedicate a set block of time for your walking workouts? What if you could get the same health benefits by working in a little more activity here and there throughout your day? And what if there was a fun little gadget that helped you keep track of it and motivated you to move more?
There is and it’s called a pedometer. You can pick up an inexpensive model at your local super store or order it from Amazon. Or you can go with something a little fancier like a Fitbit for example. But before you head out to spend any money, check your smart phone. Many models have a pedometer built in. All you need to do is download a free app and you’re good to go.
The pedometer will track how many steps you take on any given day. It will also track how many minutes you’ve spent being active and how many miles you’ve walked. In other words, it keeps track of how much exercise you get during your day. And the good news is that it doesn’t matter if you head out after work for a 45 minute walk, or if you work out in little spurts here and there throughout the day. Maybe you start your day by parking a little further away from the office and walking a couple of hundred extra steps. Then you take a quick stroll during your lunch break. You wrap up your day by walking around the park while your kids play. And just like that you’ve gotten your exercise in without having to block out any additional time.
Give it a try. Put on a pedometer, or start tracking with that phone you’re always carrying around anyway and see how much you’re walking around any given day. From there, try to get a little more active as time goes by until you hit your stepping goal. For most of us 10,000 steps per day is a good long term goal, but if you’re feeling more ambitious than that, go for it.
Keeping track of your steps is very motivating. Looking at your pedometer and realizing you’re 2,000 steps away from your daily goal may be just the motivation you need to head out for that after dinner stroll.
Walking Can Help You Lower Your Blood Pressure And Strengthen Your Heart
Walking has all sorts of health benefits among them the ability to help lower your blood pressure and strengthen your heart. Many people at risk for stroke and heart disease are overweight, unhealthy and have a hard time exercising. Thankfully walking is an easy, low-impact workout that almost anyone can do.
Start where you are. Just put on your shoes and head out there. If all you can do is walk for five to ten minutes, start there. It’s a great start and that’s a lot more exercise than you’ve been getting. Stick with it for a week and then see if you can make it for 15 minutes.
If you can go for 30 minute walk, start there. Pick up the pace, walk briskly and after a week or two, try to go for 45 minute walks. Or break up your walking workout into 3 shorter sessions interspersed throughout your day.
If you have any health conditions and in particular, if you’re suffering from high blood pressure and are at risk for heart disease, discuss your walking plans with your doctor. The two of you can come up with a plan that’s appropriate and safe for you.
Getting out and walking will help you on several different levels. The act of walking itself, particularly if you can go for a walk out in a pretty park is very relaxing and will lower your blood pressure soon after the walk. That’s a terrific benefit of walking and something that will help you feel better right away. But the benefits don’t stop there.
The regular exercise will strengthen your heart. Remember your heart is a muscle and going for a brisk walk works out more than your leg muscles. As you work out your heart, it gets stronger and better at pumping blood through your body. And as you strengthen your muscles and your body overall, you are likely losing body fat. That’s good news for your blood pressure long term. All it takes is heading out there for a short little walk each day. As you get stronger those walks will get longer and you may even give swimming or riding your bike a try.
Healthy diet, regular exercise, and losing weight are some of the most effective ways to reduce hypertension regularly. Add to that the fact that walking helps you destress and it’s no wonder that walking regularly has such beneficial effects on your health. Ready to get started? Put on your shoes and go for that first walk.
But how much and when?
The government suggests 150 minutes of moderate physical exercise per week. But many experts suggest at least 30 minutes a day being active instead.
Steps To Health reports, if you really want to enjoy the benefits of walking, it is best to walk at least 30 minutes a day, distraction free and gradually increase the pace.
According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the number one killer in America. Research shows that walking as little as 30 minutes a day can reduce our risk by 40 percent.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
You don’t need to go out and walk 5 or 10 miles to get into shape. I promise! But you do need to do the following:
- Start from where you are, and don’t go overboard.
- If all you can do is walk for five to ten minutes, start there.
- Log your workout progress to track improvements and keep motivated.
- Slowly increase the difficulty every week as you get stronger and fitter.
- Talk with your doctor before beginning any new exercise program.
- Make an appointment to chat with me (your personal trainer) on how I can support you getting into shape.
MORE TOOLS AND RESOURCES TO DOWNLOAD TO HELP YOU REACH YOUR HEALTH AND WELLNESS GOALS:
- How To Begin An Exercise Program and Accomplish Your Goal
- Healthy Living E-Book to make lifelong changes
- How To Begin an Exercise Program and accomplish your goals
- Positive Quotes to Inspire Making Positive Change In Your Life
- Tips for saving money on healthy eating, download the Grocery Shopping and Menu Planning Templates
- Download the 25-page Personal Development Guide
If you have any questions about the workout or about fitness in general don’t hesitate to reach out. Leave a comment below (there’s a good chance someone else has the same question) or contact me via email at yogaandwellness@jillconyers.com. I’m always happy to chat fitness.
be the best version of YOU,
Walking is the best exercise everyone must do daily.
I’m so happy the snow and ice is finally behind us for the year, so it’s easier to get my daily walks in!
Me too Kate! Right now sunset is the perfect time to walk. It’s beautiful and not too hot.
Have a fabulous day!
Very good reasons mentioned.
I make it compulsory for myself to take walks.
I love walking and I used to walk all the time. But sometime between having four kids in five years I stopped walking. I definitely want to get back to it, it has always lifted me and revitalized me.
You should start walking again Lynda. Especially with 5 kids lol
Have a beautiful day!
My boyfriend and I have made it a habit to go walking after dinner. Makes me feel so much better!
Hi Emily, I love that you’re boyfriend is a part of your health and fitness journey. Walking after dinner is perfect timing for the weather. It’s not too hot.
Have a beautiful day!
I recently started walking everyday and after one month I already feel so much better! I have fibromyalgia and diabetes but I began walking 20 min after breakfast and 30 min after supper and I find my pain level and sugar levels are MUCH improved!
Daisy that is awesome! Kudos to you for taking action for your health. You’re an inspiration.
Have a beautiful day!
Absolutely agree with this post! Walking is definitely my favourite form of exercise and find it’s much easier to fit in your routine than going to the gym for a couple of hours every day
Hi Finn, one of the great things about walking is that it’s accessible to all levels of fitness and except for shoes, not equipment needed.
Have a fantastic day!
i use the Pacer app on my phone and my dd checks it every so often to see if I have walked enough steps that week; my dh is the one who makes sure I get out to walk by walking himself… and your, post is truly informative, learned a few things i did not know before
Thank you Vidya. I love that your family is a part of your health and wellness journey.
Have a fabulous day!
Great post! One of my contributors is a heat program trainer and wrote a post similar to yours not long ago…
Walking is one of the best things in life x
Very cool Marina. One of the great things about walking is that it’s accessible to all levels of fitness.
So many great benefits to walking! I always feel better after going for a nice long walk, especially on a beautiful day!
Hi Elysia, being outside on a beautiful day is one of my favorite things. It feels so good physically and mentally.
Have a fabulous day!
YES! def walk every day over here and love listening to podcasts too! great tips!
Cait that’s wonderful that you walk every day. A fabulous habit.
Have a beautiful day!
Love this! I absolutely agree with all the benefits of walking that you noted. I love to use my fitbit and aim to get my 10,000 steps in per day. It really has done so much to help my anxiety that I developed earlier this year.
That’s awesome Janelle. I really need to get a tracker.
Have a beautiful day!
I go to a Burn Bootcamp almost every morning, but I want to try to add in walking a little bit more! Maybe after work or during my lunch break if it isn’t too hot!
Ashely, first what is Burn Bootcamp? A local gym or online program? Walking in the evening as the sun sets is nice this time of year, not too hot.
Have a beautiful day!
Walking is such a good way to get exercise, especially if you’re just starting out. Every time I go visit my mom, we go walking around her neighborhood and we love it because it gives a the dual benefits of exercise and mother-daughter bonding time! 🙂
Hi Channing, most of my walks are with my husband and 2 kids. Well, they’re not really kids anymore but we still love the time together.
Have a beautiful day!
walking will definitely improve your lifestyle and health.
I walk everyday! At least 1.5 miles, but usually 2 or more! I use Charity Miles as my tracker and donate to my favorite charity at the same time! Win, win for all!!
Kelly, that’s awesome! I would love to know more about Charity Miles.
Have a beautiful day!
so true! We have a few walking groups within our MRTT group and they are quite popular
Very cool. One of the great things about walking is that it’s accessible to all levels of fitness.