small changes BIG REWARDS with Walking

Remember in the land of make believe (or when I was  kid) we walked everywhere!  The car (if your family had one) was only used for work or other important duties.  I would even walk almost a mile to catch the bus to go grocery shopping for my grandmother.  Oh how times have changed.  Now it’s just a few steps to the car. As cars became more available, walking became an “exercise” instead of a regular activity.

Today there are full of “walking programs” as if we suddenly forgot how to put one foot in front of another. Walking is recommended by doctors if you’re recovering from a heart attack, have high blood pressure or suffer from arthritis.

Walking is encouraged if you are feeling depressed, anxious or stressed. Health coaches and personal trainers set you up with a walking program as a beginning point for developing an exercise program.

Why walking? Well, you already know how to do it, it’s easy for almost everyone and it’s free. Walking for exercise is great at almost any age.

Why is walking the ideal exercise to get rid of stress:

• It’s free – there’s no additional money needed to get started. All you need is a sturdy pair of sport shoes, soft socks and comfortable, nonrestrictive clothing.
• You’re not limited to a gym – it’s available almost everywhere you go.  You can walk on the street, in the mall or around the floors of your office building.
• It provides a low impact exercise option that’s great for building aerobic capacity when high impact aerobics are too hard on the knees or joints.
• You can easily merge into your daily life as you find ways to walk more – such as parking farther from your destination or choosing to walk to nearby places.
• It easily becomes an activity to share with a friend. Instead of making a lunch date, agree to go on a walk and have a light snack when you return.
• It helps cut heart disease risk in half if you only walk for thirty minutes, six days a week, which is important if you’re suffering from extreme stress in your life.
• It staves off aging by keeping the body tone and trim – plus it gives oxygen to the cells that support healthy skin.

Get out your walking shoes. If you want to keep track of your walking, buy a pedometer to measure your steps. Beginners: warm up at an easy pace. Walk 15 – 30 minutes at a comfortable pace.  
 
Walking is literally a life saver.  It can prevent or improve heart problems.  It’s a natural defense against stress, anxiety and depression.