Walking is one of the simplest ways to incorporate physical fitness while reaping numerous life-saving health benefits.
Walking may have the potential to increase your energy and mood, tone muscles and strengthen bones, burn calories and decrease your chance of conditions like heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
Start with Your Walking Goal:
With walking, it’s all about the shoes. “Good shoes are part of our foundation, Too often, we wear them well past their expiration date.” Think of your shoe tread as you would the tyres on your car.
Worn patches and flat areas mean less support for you. Replace your shoes every 500 miles, or every 3 to 6 months, depending on your usage and weight.
Start out right
As you ramp up physical activity, increase your water intake to make sure your body is ready for exercise. Stretch before and after workouts to decrease your injury risk. Schedule walks at the beginning or end of your day to make them part of your routine.
Stay on track
Train yourself to think of exercise as a privilege, not a chore. Break walks up throughout the day if you’re short on time, keep workout clothes in your car, and write your walks into your calendar to be sure they’re not skipped. Before you know it, your body will crave your new healthy habit!