Walk Your Way to Fitness and Health
Try walking if you want to get in better shape. Walking can enrich your life in many ways, such as improving your health and helping you be physically active. According to the American Heart Association, walking 10,000 steps a day boosts your energy and reduces the risk of heart disease. That is equivalent to about five miles.
How to Walk More Every Day
Walking 10,000 steps daily may sound impossible, but it can add up if you do plenty of things in your daily routine, such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator or walking errands instead of driving. Below are some more ways to get in your 10,000 steps a day.
- Find nice places to walk. Look for greenways, walking paths, and pedestrian streets to do your walk.
- Explore your neighborhood on foot. See what is happening around you, and you’ll never really walk the same route twice. There are always new places to see.
- Walk with friends and family. It is a great way to connect with others.
- Walk for a few trips a week. Walk to the store for small items or walk part of your commute to work. Leave your vehicle behind, or get off a stop early if you take public transit.
- Go for a 15-minute walk during your break at work.
- Put your steps to good use and try a charity walk to raise money for a cause.
Walk Your Way to Health
Whether you are a beginner or an avid walker, everyone can benefit from using good walking strides and techniques. Below are some strategies to help you walk your way to better health.
- Walk Briskly – When you use a brisk pace, your body will start to burn your stored fat and trigger weight loss.
- Set a Regular Schedule – Create a regular schedule and stick to it. Walking for a half-hour a day, five times a week, is recommended for those with diabetes or arthritis.
- Use Good Walking Form – Good walking posture will help you breathe deeper, relax your neck and shoulders, and prevent hip and back pain.
- Wear Proper Walking Shoes – Although you can walk in almost any footwear, flexible athletic shoes that fit well will be more comfortable.
- Carry a Fitness Tracker – A fitness tracker can motivate you to walk more. Whether an old-school waistband pedometer or a Fitbit, you will walk more if you can track your daily steps.
- Walk in Nature – Set foot in a forest, trail, or park can help improve your mood, relieve stress, and give you time to think clearly.
- Use a Treadmill – Even if the weather is not favorable, you can still enjoy a good walk on a treadmill.
- Switch Up Your Walk Workouts – Change your walk program by varying speed and intensity. You can get more fitness benefits while enjoying a variety of walking workouts.
Take Up a Challenge
Once you have walked more, you may feel motivated to take on more challenging workouts.
- Plan a walking excursion. Vacations don’t always have to involve sitting on the beach. Include walking in your next vacation so you can return refreshed and invigorated.
- Go on a backpacking trip. Take a long-distance backpacking trek across the United States or Europe. Not only is it a more affordable way to travel, but it is also great strength and endurance workout.
Work Your Way Up to Good Health
If you’re a beginner, start with a short 15-minute walk and slowly build your speed and time. Once you have achieved that pace, increase your time by a few minutes for each workout. Any amount of walking at any rate or time is better than sitting around.
If you keep up with your walking workouts, you will continue to experience the benefits of fitness. What seemed impossible a few months ago will be done without strain. You can take pride in knowing how far you have made it on your own two feet.
Watch YouTube Video: New Study Reveals the Benefits of Walking. The video from GMA below discusses the benefits of daily walking and how a certain number of steps a day can lower mortality risk.
Pedestrian Accident Lawyers in Rosemont, CA
I’m Ed Smith, a Rosemont pedestrian accident attorney. While walking can help improve your health, it can also be risky. If you have been injured in an accident by a negligent driver while walking, call our experienced legal team for free, friendly, and compassionate at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400. We can also be reached online.
See how our injury lawyers have helped our clients by viewing our Settlements and Verdicts page.
Photo by Jeffrey Grospe on Unsplash
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