10 Reasons Why Walking is Good for You!

Exercising does not have to be hard! You do not need to spend hours at the gym lifting weights or running on a treadmill with no destination in site, especially if you do not enjoy these activities. Going for daily walks is a quick and easy way to get your daily dose of exercise. Research has shown that walking at a brisk pace for only 10 minutes has many health benefits and contributes to the recommended 150 minutes per week of aerobic exercise. Getting your daily dose of exercise should not be a burden and walking is an approachable way to get started. Here are 10 reasons why walking is good for you!

1. Increases Your Cardiovascular Fitness, Strengthen Bones, Reduce Body Fat, and Improves Muscle Power and Endurance: Daily walks for 30 minutes can provide all the listed health benefits and is a great way to improve your overall health.
2. Reduces the Risk of Heart Disease, Stroke, and Breast Cancer
3. Helps Manage Chronic Conditions: These conditions include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, muscle and joint pain, and diabetes.
4. Increases Energy Levels
5. Enhances Mood, Cognition, Memory, and Sleep
6. Improves Balance and Coordination
7. Strengthens Your Immune System
8. Reduces Stress
9. Minimizes Sugar Cravings
10. Reduces Mortality Risk: Research shows that regular exercise between the ages of 50-60 reduces mortality by 35%. Moreover, in people with underlying health conditions, regular exercise reduced their risk by 45%!

This is NOT an exhaustive list, there are far more benefits to walking that are supported by research. Incorporating daily walks into your routine is the simplest way to get started. All you need to remember is to achieve a brisk pace for at least 10 minutes and work your way up from there. If you do not know how to get the ball rolling, Live Your Life personal trainers would love to set you up for success and will provide their expertise through individualized sessions to help you to achieve your health and fitness goals. Contact us today for a free consultation!

References

“Walking for Health.” NHS Choices, NHS, 15 Dec. 2022, https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/running-and-aerobic-exercises/walking-for-health/.

“Physical Activity Guidelines Resources.” ACSM_CMS, https://www.acsm.org/education-resources/trending-topics-resources/physical-activity-guidelines.

Department of Health & Human Services. “Walking for Good Health.” Better Health Channel, Department of Health & Human Services, 11 Oct. 2000, https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/walking-for-good-health#:~:text=About%20walking,-Walking%20is%20a&text=Just%2030%20minutes%20every%20day,diabetes%2C%20osteoporosis%20and%20some%20cancers.

“Walk Your Way to Fitness.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 19 May 2021, https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/walking/art-20046261.

“5 Surprising Benefits of Walking.” Harvard Health, 25 Aug. 2022, https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/5-surprising-benefits-of-walking.

“12 Benefits of Walking.” Arthritis Foundation, Arthritis Foundation, https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/healthy-living/physical-activity/walking/12-benefits-of-walking.