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Exercise - it either attracts or repulses you - there is seldom a middle ground. For better or worse, exercise is an important element in maintaining good overall physical and mental health. To reap the rewards of exercise you don't have to lift weights or do endless sit-ups. Something as simple and easy to do, as walking, might be the right 'exercise' for you.
The Well-Dressed Walker
Always wear sensible walking shoes or sneakers. Dress according to the weather and carry along a bottle of water.
Hot Weather Walking
Winter Walking
If it's too hot or too cold outside, you can take a quick trip over to the local mall and walk there - in your comfy indoor clothes.
Aerobic Exercise
Being stationary does little to improve your circulation and may actually harm the heart. By making an effort to increase your level of activity, you can improve your over all health. As the American Heart Associations so aptly puts it, "Just Move!"
Walking: A Prescription for Life
Doctors' have finally come to realize just how beneficial walking can be to maintaining and increasing health. Doctors' now prescribe walking as a treatment for everything from obesity to diabetes. Even those recovering from heart attacks are advised to engage in a regular program of walking - often several miles a day!
The Benefits of Walking
Walking is a general 'cure all', it can help you maintain bone density and improve your overall strength, as well as helping you lose weight, reduce stress, sleep better, and walking can help ease cramps and other annoyances.
As with any form of exercise, walking helps increase your overall health and mental well being.
Evidence suggests that physical exercise can help reduce a woman's chance of developing breast cancer.
Walking will reduce your risk of having a heart attack.
It lowers blood pressure.
Walking helps alleviate depression by elevating your emotional levels.
It increases flexibility and improves posture.
How much walking is necessary?
How much you need to walk each day will depend upon you fitness goals. As a rule of thumb, you should strive exercise at least 30 minutes a day. If your exercise of choice is walking, you have a head start on meeting that goal, as you probably already walk a lot already.
Walk every chance you get. You can add 'walking' time to your daily routine by simply parking your car further away from your destination, than normal, or by taking the stairs instead of the elevator.
To achieve the full benefits of walking, you don't have to be a power walker (someone who walks very fast) or a race walker (a walker that strives for speed and distance). For those that were not aware of it, race walking is an Olympic Event.
Slow-paced walking is just as beneficial in many regards, as its faster paced cousins.
Always consult your doctor for medical advice.
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