Let's Take a Walk

"Let's take a walk together

Near the ocean shore

Hand in hand you and I 

Let's cherish every moment

We have been given 

For time is passing by..."

                                     Kool and the Gang

Since the beginning of time, walking has been part of the human experience. Walking is functional. It is enjoyable. During walks, we have discussed life and work and family.  We have solved problems. We have found religion. We have discovered ourselves. We have been inspired, and we have fallen in love. Although the transportation provided for us through modern technology has taken away much of our need to walk, we should still find ways to work a good walk into our lives once in a while.

Walking is one of the easiest, most convenient, least expensive ways to exercise, and it is universal--almost anyone in the world can walk. Whether you are at the very beginning level of movement or a seasoned athlete, taking a walk can be one of the best things you do for yourself. 

Most of us know that walking can:

burn calories 

get you moving

help you slim down

clear your head
provide an enjoyable experience

But, unless you've done your homework, you might not be aware of some of the other awesome benefits of a regular walking routine. How about these:

Dr. Oz and Dr. Roizen say that people who walk have fewer heart attacks and strokes, have lower cholesterol, and lower blood pressure. Walking helps to lower your RealAge, lowers your risk of diabetes, slims you down, keeps you sharp, reduces stress, gives you energy, boosts your immune system, and keeps you going. He also says that taking a daily 30 minute walk is one of the keys to success in quitting smoking--that even a five minute walk helps cut down on cravings for cigarettes. Not too shabby, right? And according to Rodale News, studies show that those who take the longest weekly walks (not necessarily in distance, but in time) are more likely to use less medication, that walking can help fade the pain of fibromyalgia, and it helps beat breast cancer.

Walking can be as simple as getting off the couch and heading to the mailbox each day--there is nothing wrong with a short walk! If this is where you are, great--do it. A five minute walk for a beginner can be just as physically challenging as running a race can be for a more fit athlete. Start today at your level, and see where you end up!

Ready for more? Add weight to your walk or work on staying in your target heart rate zone.

There are a lot of ways to work a walk into your day. Take a walk during your lunch break every day. Walk to work, to church, to the grocery store, to visit your friend or run an errand, instead of driving. "Everywhere is walking distance, if you have the time," says comedian Steven Wright. If it is reasonable, consider leaving the keys at home and pounding the pavement. Your body and your mind will thank you! 

Take a friend, take a spouse, take a child--walking is a great way for some one-on-one time. Walk as slow as you need to, as fast as you'd like to challenge yourself to. Take a heart rate monitor. Take a pedometer. Drink plenty of water, take some music, go alone, carry some hand weights. Walk in your neighborhood, around a track or on the beach. Walking is completely customizable--do it however, wherever, whenever you want! Too hot? Take a spray fan. Too cold? Bundle up. Too wet? Wear boots and take an umbrella.

How will you work in a walk today?

walking/jogging accessories 

pedometers/heart rate monitors