Do You Want to Know the Benefits of Walking? Join Me For a Walk in the Park!
Just a couple of notes about walking:
Walking, which is one of my favorite things to do, really offers quite a wide variety of benefits and very little risk. Trust me, not a big chance of getting shin splints, torn muscles or ligaments from walking.
- It’s easy, it’s inexpensive and it can basically be done anywhere!
- Did you know that it burns the same amount of calories per mile than running? Of course with running, you can get more miles in, in the same amount of time.
Here are some tips:
Walk briskly, but start slowly.
Just like with any new activity, you want to start slowly and build up over time. So only you can be the best judge as to what that means. 10 minutes is better than NO minutes. Do try to walk as briskly as you can. You will want to build to a rate of about 15-20 minute miles, (3-4miles/hour).
Bring a friend
Anytime I walk with a friend, the time flies by. It’s more fun, the time goes by more quickly and there is some accountability when you make a commitment with a friend.
Buy a pedometer.
This is a great way to track your steps. You can also keep a log of your walking progress to start seeing your improvements over time.
Oh the benefits.
In the short term, walking will help you burn some calories, improve your energy and give you clearer thinking. Over the long term, walking will help lower your blood pressure, help improve your cholesterol, lower your risk for osteoporosis and may even reduce the discomfort from arthritis.
So if you enjoy it, consider making walking part of your overall lifestyle habits.
Additional resource: Realage.com
Dianne – love the use you are getting from that flip video. Thanks for showing us the beautiful park across the street from your home. I love to walk when it is warmer. I try to incorporate it in my day like instead of driving to Whole Foods which is down the street and around the corner from my Los Altos office, I often will walk when there is sunny weather to get lunch. Next time you, I’ll have to show you Lake Elizabeth which is about a 5 minute drive from my house.
Thanks Tomasa, would love to see the lake.
I have been trying more and more to walk on my lunch break as well. Walk to the bank instead of drive, walk to lunch instead of drive. It’s really a great way to get a little movement in during our day when you can’t get to the gym or do a full work out…
I love to take the opportunity to really notice my surroundings as I walk too.
It’s akin to practicing mindfulness… Smell the air, notice the sounds, look at the plants and flowers and trees!
Make each step count… heel to toe.
Allow my mind to wander while staying utterly connected with myself and my surroundings.
Looks beautiful where you live Dianne!
walking is a very good relaxing method and keeps one in shape.. Keep up the good blogging and create the alliances … and you will get more than 20 hits a day