Are You Missing Out On the Benefits of Walking?
By Sandy Schroeder
The question of walking for health is hard to ignore. It’s simple and natural, always available and totally portable. It can be short or long, and happen early or late. We can walk alone to ponder the world, walk with a buddy or walk the dog. We can walk anywhere, but many of us may still lag, always intending to walk, but not quite making it out the door.
If you are still considering it, the benefits may persuade you to get moving. Walking has been found to lower the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes, while trimming the waistline and toning muscles.
Ready to Go
If you decide to take make walking part of your daily routine, pick the most comfortable time and make it part of your daily schedule. If the timing is right it may lock right in, adding an automatic boost to your day.
Try for 30 Minutes
A brisk walk before breakfast or after work, or two 15-minute walks during the day could work. Make it a daily activity or try for two to three times a week.
Make Walking Part of Life
Stay flexible and take advantage of down time.
Walk when you are waiting - Walk when you are picking up kids or waiting for an appointment. When you travel, walk around the airport.
Walk between meetings - When you attend a conference, make good use of the down time between meetings to walk 10 or 15 minutes.
Turn a meeting into a walk - Lots of people are now holding walking conferences instead of sitdown meetings.
Walk every hour if you sit a lot - Break up eight hours of sitting with short walks and stretches.
Add a walk to lunch - Pack a lunch and use part of your lunch time to walk outside.
Walk up the stairs too - If you have stairs in your building or your home, make them part of your workout whenever you have a few minutes.
Wear the right shoes - Carry sneakers in the car and to the office. Make sure they are comfortable and supportive, but not tight. Choose a padded tongue and heel pad. Uppers should be lightweight, flexible and breathable. Soles should be shock-absorbent and insoles should be moisture-resistant. The toe box should be roomy even with athletic socks.
Stay safe -Always wear a reflector when walking on or near roads. Walk facing cars if there is no sidewalk and avoid high-speed high traffic areas. Walk in familiar locations and carry a cell. Walk with a buddy whenever you can.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Tampa, Fla.