Fitness Doesn't Have to be Complicated
By Donna Kostiew
Do you think that staying in shape requires complicated diets, hours of intense training, and miles upon miles of running? Do you feel that if you’re not coming home from a workout without being in pain that it was all for naught? It is time to erase those kinds of thoughts from your brain! Fitness routines do not have to be like that and if intense exercising isn’t your cup of tea, there are other ways to stay fit. One great way to exercise that has proven health benefits is to walk.
But can you walk your way to fitness? You better believe you can! Walking is a perfect form of exercise for people of all ages because it is low-impact, can be done anywhere, and provides so many benefits to your health. But that doesn’t mean that you will get fit if you are only walking to the pantry and then to bed at night. Be intentional!
Walking the Right Way
With the exception of breathing, walking is almost certainly one of the longest activities that we have been doing throughout our lives. It is second nature to us. Yet as the years pass by, many people tend to develop bad habits in form and technique. Let’s look at some simple suggestions to keep our bodies balanced and in good form while walking.
- Hold your head high and look straight ahead
- Keep your chin in a natural position, not tucked
- Keep your shoulders relaxed and back, not hunched forward
- Swing arms freely with elbows slightly bent
- Tighten your stomach muscles
- Maintain a long, straight spine
- Take shorter strides but at a faster pace
Something as simple as a brisk walk every day can help you live and maintain a healthier life. The benefits of taking a walk every day are too long to list, but here are a few.
- Maintains a healthy weight
- Helps to manage various health conditions
- Strengthens your bones and muscles
- Prevents imbalances in the spine
- Improves your mood
- Improves your balance and coordination
Remember, you aren’t walking to the pantry to get into shape so take this form of exercise seriously. You still want to warm up and cool down with gentle stretches each and every time you walk. Also, make sure you are wearing the proper shoes and if you are walking outdoors, choose an area that is safe.
Walking is a great form of exercise and is definitely something that can be built upon by adding weights or increasing speed, distance, and frequency. The more you walk, the greater the benefits to your health.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in San Marcos, Calif.