Walking is a great form of physical activity that’s free, low risk, and accessible to most of us.
In fact, walking is not just good for you — it’s one of the easiest forms of exercise to incorporate into your day-to-day life.
Walking is good for you because it…
- burns calories which may help you lose weight and keep it off. Walking for 30 minutes can burn approx. 100 to 200 calories but this is dependent on your weight and the speed at which you walk
- can help prevent some of the muscle loss that may occur when cutting calories to lose weight. This helps minimize the drop in metabolic rate that occurs when you lose weight, making the kilos easier to keep off
- reduces belly fat. Regularly taking part in a moderate-intensity aerobic exercise like walking is associated with lower levels of body fat
- combats health conditions and diseases. StudiesTrusted Source shows that walking for 30 minutes per day can reduce your risk for heart disease by 19 per cent. If you live with diabetes, walking may also help lower your blood sugar levels. It can even help increase your life span and
reduce your risk for cardiovascular disease and certain cancers
- boosts energy. A small study found that 10 minutes of stair walking was more energizing than a cup of coffee for 18 women who felt sleep-deprived. The next time you need a morning energy boost or feel tired when you wake up, you may want to try a walk
- strengthens muscles. Walking may help strengthen the muscles in your legs. For best results, walk at a moderate to brisk pace.
- improves mental clarity. Walking may also help you think more creatively. Research shows that walking opens up a free flow of ideas, which may help you problem-solve better than if you’re sitting or remaining sedentary. This is especially the case if you walk outdoors.
- promotes better sleep
- can be fun … and social!
- can improve your mood
- improve self-esteem
- reduce stress
- reduce anxiety
- reduce fatigue
- ease depression symptoms or reduce your risk for depression
Check out this video on Stair climbing and why it is so good for you
Various ways to increase your walking
- take an early morning or evening walks in a park or along the beach
- join a mall-walking group
- walk on a treadmill in the gym or at home
- try stair walking
- walk around the house while talking on the telephone
- try a walk-and-talk meeting
- go on a walking holiday such as the Camino or TMB
- use a fitness tracker and log your steps to motivate yourself to move more
- make a habit of taking a brisk walk on your lunch break and/or after dinner
- walk with a friend
- go for a walk with family and kids
- walk your dog every day or join a friend on their dog walks
- walk to work. If it’s too far, park your car further away or get off the metro a few stops early and walk the rest of the way
