Would you like to take more exercise but - like so many other people - struggle to actually do it? There are plenty of reasons why this might be the case. Not enough time to fit it into your day, lack of energy after a long day at work, lack of equipment - the list goes on. When you also consider that the monthly membership fee at the gym is an expensive item, it’s no great surprise that many people exercise a lot less than they would like to.
What if there was a way to exercise that required no special equipment, which was easy to do and which didn’t need you to get all hot and sweaty? It would probably be a lot easier to get yourself motivated to take exercise on a more regular basis. Were it also a form of exercise that could be performed whenever it was easiest for you, then that would be better yet.
Fortunately, such a form of exercise does exist - although you may not have considered it. Walking is an activity that we all perform every day. It needs no training, expertise or special equipment. As long as you have a good, comfortable pair of shoes you’re all set. It’s also a very cost effective method of exercising - and you can slot it into your daily routine whenever you like.
What’s more, the potential health benefits of walking read like an advert for some new miracle drug. It can lower your blood pressure level. It helps to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. It increases lung capacity. It helps you to sleep better at night. It helps to combat depression. It boosts your energy levels. It even helps to stave off certain types of cancer. And, of course, it helps you to build muscle, 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.
Be sensible and start off slowly at first. If you haven’t exercised for a while, or if you have any medical conditions, then talk to your doctor before starting any new exercise regime. However, walking is a low impact, low injury risk form of exercise which, as previously discussed, offers many potential health benefits if carried out on a regular basis. You will be pleasantly surprised at how quickly you see and feel the benefits.
Take a moment to have a look at the huge selection of styles available from Fit flops - sandals, boots, clogs and slippers. Try using an Omron pedometer to monitor your performance and help you to stay motivated.
Tags: exercise, fitness, health, lose weight, Uncategorized, walking, weight loss, workout