Walking – A Perfect Activity for Anyone

Walking isn’t like exercising in a gym. But if you haven’t had any physical activity in a while and are looking for something easy without special equipment and you can do every single day, give walking a try.

Everyone can walk

Walking is the perfect low impact way to get your body active and your muscles engaged. If it makes the idea of moving less like exercise, then let’s call it an activity. Do you want to know what is the best part of walking? You can start at your current fitness level. 

If your shape is soft and fluffy, start by going for a 10- or 15-minute walk around the neighborhood. Walk away from the house for 7 minutes then turn around and walk back. Is that simple enough? Then you can increase your walking activity from there. If your shape is hard and defined, walking can still provide an effective workout. Walk fast and incorporate some hills or stairs. 

Chances are, if you’re like most of us, you haven’t exercised much since you got out of college. Your journey isn’t going to be a marathon in a day kind of thing. Has your doctor suggested that you move around more? We think you’re reading this article because you want to be proactive about your health and well-being. Congratulations, walking is the perfect way to start. 

Walking shoes

We said you don’t need any special equipment, but a pair of comfortable walking shoes would make the activity less strenuous. Lace them up and go for a stroll through your neighborhood. Your local park should have walking paths or hiking trails.

If the weather doesn’t permit walking outside, head to any big box store or a mall where there is plenty of lighting and safety from snow or rain. Of course, if you have a treadmill, you can easily hop on that to keep your activity a daily habit.  

Gear and clothing ideal for walking

• Walking shoes
• Loose clothing
• Hat or visor
• Walking stick
• MP3 player with earbuds
• Pedometer or sports band
• Water Canteen
• Pepper Spray
• Reflective Clothing
• Your favorite walking buddy or companion

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Related Article: 10 Ways to Get Healthier

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Commercial break time

Are you a TV buff? Can you walk in place? During the commercial breaks, stand up and march in place until your show comes back on. If you’re watching a commercial-free show, make yourself walk in place for 10 minutes in between episodes. Better yet, challenge yourself to march in place during the entire show. 

Grab a walking buddy

A simple walk outside can be a lot of fun too. Take a different route or walk in different areas of town or visit various parks.

Invite a neighbor to come along on your walk. It’s always nice to have someone to talk to and having a walking buddy keeps you accountable. 

Here’s a tip close to my heart: Volunteer to walk a dog (or two) from your local animal shelter. Those dogs would love to release some energy with a walk in a park.

Walking with Music or Podcast

Walking is the best time to catch up on your favorite podcast or audible book. Grab your smart phone or MP3 player as you head out for your simple activity. Listening to music, audiobooks, or podcast as you walk will make the time pass faster. 

The point is that you get out and move around. Get some exercise that is gentle on your joints, your heart, and the rest of your body. Walking will do all that and so much more for you. Give it a try and see if you don’t start to feel better, happier, and stronger after a few weeks of regular walks. 

My goal is 11,000 steps a day. That works out to about 4-5 miles. Being a writer and working for the majority of the day at my desk, I have to purposefully make walking a primary concern or I will never get it done. How do you manage to make your health the priority?

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