Free exercise with positive results
You don’t need to pay a monthly gym subscription to take a walk; all you need are some good walking shoes and a safe path for you to use. Remember the old adage about the apple? Well, walking may also keep the doctor away.
If you walk just 30 minutes every day, or as often as possible, it can help you lose pounds, de-stress, lower your blood pressure and even reduce the risk of many chronic diseases. These are a few of the benefits.
An improvement in your mood
If you make walking a regular thing, it can modify your nervous system and you may even experience a decrease in anger or hostility. Take a stroll or a brisk walk, get a friend to walk with you – this can also boost your mood. But if you can’t get anyone to walk with you, that’s fine – there is no need to wait for anyone in order for you to improve the way you feel; after all, it’s about improving YOU. Natural sunlight is also good for you; just don’t stay out in the sun too long.
A weight loss aid
If you walk consistently, you may notice a change in your midsection; your pants will become a bit loose, it means you’re getting results – don’t fret if the numbers on the scale don’t move much. Walking regularly can improve your body’s response to insulin, which can aid in reducing body fat. It also increases your metabolism, by burning extra calories, and prevents muscle loss – this is important as we age.
An outlet for creativity
While out walking, looking around at your surroundings may help you come up with a great idea for something you may want to do at home or at work. Research has shown that when we walk, we think more creatively than when we are sitting.
Lowers your risk of chronic disease
We live on an island where diabetes is prevalent in young and old, and chances are that most of us have a family member or know someone or who has diabetes. Walking lowers your blood sugar levels and your overall risk of diabetes, but of course that must be paired with a good diet.
A good diet means that you have balanced meals, get in the nutrients your body needs and do eat in excess. Too much of anything is not good for you and walking alone is not a magical antidote, you must pair it with a certain lifestyle. Be sure to speak with your physician or dietician for the necessary advice.
Maintains great looking legs
As long as we’re alive, we’re getting older and not everything can be avoided; but there are some things we can do to slow down a certain process. Walking daily can help ease swelling and restlessness in your legs related to varicose veins. Also, if you’re genetically inclined to have spider/varicose veins, walking daily can delay their development.
Check with your family physician to ensure you’re able to walk for 30 minutes or more in your current physical state. Please note that there is a proper way in which you should walk, try to avoid putting all of the pressure on your heel when walking. This is something you can discuss with a knowledgeable gym instructor.
Don’t walk alone at night or in very quiet areas where there isn’t much traffic; you want to look and feel healthy, but safety is also very important.
