If you haven’t exercised in a while, or are looking for something easy you can do every single day then give walking a try.

• It’s the perfect low-impact exercise
• It’s easy for most of us to do
• No special equipment needed
• You can start at any fitness level

If you’re not in the best of shape, start by going for a 10 or 15-minute walk around the neighborhood and work your way up from there.

*Scan down to the end for 4 indoor walking videos to make walking everyday super easy*

It’s Ok To Start Slow

If you’re like most of us, chances are you haven’t exercised much since you got out of college so you’ll need to start slow.

Here’s an easy way to start:

Find a pair of comfortable shoes, put them on, and go for a stroll through your neighborhood.

If the weather doesn’t permit, walk in place at home in front of your TV.

Just Get Moving 

Simple things can make moving easier.

• If you like to watch TV, get up during commercial breaks and march in place until your favorite TV show comes back on.
• Walk your dog even if you have a backyard for it to run in.
• Mix up your route and walk in different areas of town, or visit different parks.
• Invite a friend, spouse, or make it a family thing. 

**Remember, if you have any health conditions and in particular, if you’re suffering from high blood pressure and are at risk for heart disease, discuss your walking plans with your doctor. The two of you can come up with a plan that’s appropriate and safe for you.

Health Benefits Of Going For A Walk

There are a lot of good reasons to go for a walk.

It’s fun, it’s relaxing, and most importantly it’s good for your health. 

But what exactly are the health benefits of walking?

I hope this convinces you that heading out for a walk each day is a great idea and that it motivates you to stick to your walking schedule until you start to see results.

Walking Gets You Outside In The Fresh Air and Sunshine

No matter how fast or slow you walk, walking gets you outside and in the fresh air.

This alone will make you feel better as your body absorbs oxygen and sunshine since both are important for your health and well-being.

You will find the air quality outside, particularly if you go for a walk on the beach or in a park, will be much better than the air inside your house.

Of course, the sunshine outside will help your body get the Vitamin D it needs.

Walking Can Help You Get To A Healthy Weight

Walking particularly at a quick pace and doing it regularly can help you get to and then maintain a healthy weight.

Yes, you still need to watch what you eat and aim for a healthy diet, but walking can be another tool to help you drop those extra pounds.

The nice thing about walking when you’re overweight is that you burn a lot of calories, even on short and slow walks, simply because you’re carrying so much weight around with you.

As you start to lose weight, your overall strength and endurance increase, allowing you to walk longer, further, and faster.

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Walking Improves Your Sense Of Balance And Coordination

As you walk, particularly when walking over rougher terrain, you’re also working on your sense of balance and coordination.

Just getting in the habit of going for a daily walk will help.

But you can work even more on your sense of balance by moving your head around.

Turn your head to the right and left as you walk for a count of 30. Then move your head up and down for a count of 30.

If you do these simple exercises once or twice as you walk each day you’ll get even more benefits.

Walking Strengthens Your Bones and Muscles

Even though walking is a low-impact form of exercise it helps to strengthen and tone your body.

If you’re just starting out, it is all you need to start to get into better shape.

As you get more fit, consider adding weight lifting exercises to your daily walks to continue to get stronger and help develop strong muscles and bones.

Walking Will Boost Your Mood and Fight Depression

Walking releases endorphins that will help lift your mood and can even reduce depression.

Give it a try.

The next time you’re feeling tired or are in a bad mood, lace up your sneakers and go for a brisk walk.

It works like a charm.

Walking Can Help Lower Your Blood Pressure And Strengthen Your Heart

Many people at risk for stroke and heart disease are overweight, unhealthy, and have a hard time exercising.

Thankfully walking is an easy, low-impact workout that almost anyone can do.

The act of walking itself, particularly if you can go for a walkout in a pretty park is very relaxing and will lower your blood pressure soon after the walk.

Regular exercise will strengthen your heart.

Remember your heart is a muscle and going for a brisk walk works out more than your leg muscles.

As you work out your heart, it gets stronger and better at pumping blood through your body.

And as you strengthen your muscles and your body overall, you are likely to lose body fat.

That’s good news for your blood pressure long-term.

Walking After A Meal Can Lower Your Blood Sugar

Get this, new research found that two minutes of walking after dinner can lower blood sugar and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

You’ll get the biggest impact if you walk within 60 to 90 minutes after eating when blood sugar levels are at their peak.

Use A Pedometer To Keep You On Track

OK, I know setting aside some time to go for a 45-minute walk isn’t always easy.

We all live busy lives and between family and work, fitting in a workout isn’t always possible.

What if I told you that you didn’t have to dedicate a set block of time for your walking workouts?

What if you could get the same health benefits by working in a little more activity here and there throughout your day?

And what if there was a fun little gadget that helped you keep track of it and motivated you to move more?

There is and it’s called a pedometer.

You can pick up an inexpensive model at your local superstore or order it from Amazon.

Or you can go with something a little fancier like a Fitbit for example.

But before you head out to spend any money, check your smartphone because any models have a pedometer built-in.

All you need to do is download a free app and you’re good to go.

The pedometer will track how many steps you take on any given day and track how many minutes you’ve spent being active and how many miles you’ve walked.

In other words, it keeps track of how much exercise you get during your day.

And the good news is that it doesn’t matter if you head out after work for a 45-minute walk, or if you work out in little spurts here and there throughout the day.

Maybe you start your day by parking a little further away from the office and walking a couple of hundred extra steps.

Then you take a quick stroll during your lunch break. You wrap up your day by walking around the park while your kids play.

And just like that, you’ve gotten your exercise in without having to block out any additional time.

Give it a try.

Put on a pedometer, or start tracking with that phone you’re always carrying around anyway and see how much you’re walking around any given day.

From there, try to get a little more active as time goes by until you hit your stepping goal.

For most of us 10,000 steps per day is a good long-term goal, but if you’re feeling more ambitious than that, go for it.

Keeping track of your steps is very motivating.

Looking at your pedometer and realizing you’re 2,000 steps away from your daily goal may be just the motivation you need to head out for that after-dinner stroll.

Indoor Walking Workouts (videos)

I can always find an excuse not to walk outside.

Usually, it’s because I just washed my hair or I don’t want to sweat. 🙂

So I typically walk on our treadmill or follow along with a walking video.

I typically turn the sound down to follow along so I don’t have to think then I listen to a podcast or watch another video on my 2nd screen.

30 Minute Walk Workout

3000 Steps Fast Walking Workout

Senior 30-Minute Walking Workout

Paula B Weight Loss Coach Walk Workout

Ready to get started?

A healthy diet, regular exercise, and losing weight are some of the most effective ways to boost your immune system. 

Add to that the fact that walking helps you destress and it’s no wonder that walking regularly has such beneficial effects on your health.

Keep Reading

11 Workouts To Burn Fat
9 Ways To Lose Weight This Week
31 Fitness Hacks You Need To Know

Sources:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/walking/art-20046261
https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/fitness/walking/why-is-walking-the-most-popular-form-of-exercise