Benefits of Walking

How are you doing with the March Into May challenge? You're over half way there!

Remember, this isn't about getting more steps than the other team. It's about getting more steps than you personally did yesterday for your health and wellness! So don't be discouraged if you're not in the "Top 5" -- I promise that the benefits you will experience from just walking will far outweigh any prize we could give you at the end of the program! So give yourself a well-deserved pat on the back and keep up the great work!


Why Walk?

Walking is one of the easiest ways to get the exercise you need to stay healthy.

Experts recommend at least 2½ hours of moderate activity (such as brisk walking, brisk cycling, or yard work) a week. You don't have to walk all at once. You can split it up. It's fine to walk in blocks of 10 minutes or more at a time. Using your pedometer, you might be surprised to see how many steps you take by simply doing chores and errands or by taking walking breaks during the day.

Brisk walking is a form of aerobic exercise. This is exercise that increases your heart rate for an extended time. Aerobic exercise helps strengthen your heart, lungs, and muscles. A strong heart carries more blood, along with oxygen and nutrients, to the rest of the body. Aerobic exercise also lowers blood pressure and can help you stay at a healthy weight.

Here are a few of the reasons walking is so ideal:

• Walking is what your body is designed to do.
• Among all forms of aerobic exercise, walking carries the least risk of injury.
• You can walk almost anywhere, any time.
• Nearly everyone can walk, and it's something you can do throughout your life.
• It's free!
• There's no special skill, training, or equipment needed – all you need is the right footwear.

Our bodies are meant to move. If you walk consistently, you can help delay or prevent many of the complaints of aging – aches and pains and increasing immobility. But walking also has more immediate health benefits. For starters, walking can help:

• Manage weight - Walking, like all physical activity, burns calories. Being active is important for staying at a healthy weight.
• Improve mood and help ease depression - Walking and other aerobic exercise also can improve your mood and energy. Regular exercise helps prevent anxiety and depression.
• Boost your immune system
• Maintain mental efficiency
• Strengthen your heart, lungs, and muscles
• Lower blood pressure and improve cholesterol levels
• Prevent osteoporosis - Walking also keeps your bones healthy. It is a weight-bearing activity, which means that it works the muscles and bones against gravity. This can help reduce your risk of osteoporosis and broken bones.
• Improve energy and endurance 

Those are pretty amazing results from such a simple activity, and several large studies have shown that walking can greatly reduce the risks of developing type 2 diabetes, stroke, and heart disease. So get up and walk!

Post Title : Benefits of Walking

Benefits of Walking,

wellness program,

Benefits of Walking