Walking Exercise for General Fitness: Understand why doctors suggest that its the best medicine.
Here are some of the benefits of walking, especially useful for General Fitness. This can be a good form of exercise for anyone who wish to restart after an injury break or even for pregnant women.
Walking is a good form of exercise which you can do almost daily for around 20 minutes to half an hour. You may find it a bit tough and tiring if you are doing it after a long break.
Best part is that you can do it anywhere and anytime of the day. You may do it in the garden or beach or on the road, either early in the morning or later in the day.
Use the right technique when walking for fitness
Benefits of Walking
Regular walking can provide the following benefits:
- Lower blood cholesterol
- Lower blood pressure
- Increase in cardiovascular endurance
- Stronger bone strength
- Burn calories and keep weight down
More Benefits of Walking
Things to Keep in Mind: For Beginners
Beginning walkers (those who have not been physically active for a long time) should keep the following in mind:
- Walk short distances: Begin with a five-minute stroll and gradually increase your distance.
- Walk at a comfortable pace. Focus on good posture, don\t worry about speed.
- Swing your arms naturally
- Keep breathing. If you can’t catch your breath, slow down or avoid hills.
- Be sure that you can talk while walking. If you can’t converse, you need to slow down right away.
Wear Something Comfortable
Regarding footwear, you can use normal shoes or any comfortable footwear. Heels however are not recommended as the ligaments that control your lower back can damage. High heels alter your posture and put a strain on this weakened area, contributing to lower back pain.
You really don’t need any special/fancy shoes, any flat running shoes are much better bet and comfortable as they ensure your comfort while walking and also minimize the back strain.
Don’t Ignore Your Diet
But walking will only help you if you also take care of your diet.
Don’t overeat or force feed yourself. Avoid eating out as far as possible and keep fresh food, vegetables and fruits at home. Once in a while you may indulge in grilled food or have chocolates, ice-creams or cakes. You can always have sweets in moderation. But don’t overdo it for obvious reasons. You also need to watch your salt intake and ensure the food has no Monosodium Glutamate (MSG). Avoid aerated drinks and junk food as far as possible.
So there you go! With these tips in mind, restart your fitness regime with regular walking exercise.
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