What is one of your bodies most natural forms of exercise, low impact, can be done anywhere and is free?
You got it! Walking!
Experts agree whether you want to improve your general physical and mental health, keep fit, control your weight or recover from a period of ill- health, walking is the activity for you.
But how does walking do this?
Your heart is a muscle with fibers that allow it to contract and pump blood. When used during aerobic exercise, the heart becomes more efficient and pumps more blood with each heartbeat. Exercise, such as walking, also increases your muscles' ability to take oxygen from the blood. A more efficient heart can pump more blood with each heartbeat and deliver more oxygen and nutrients to other organs.
Strong scientific evidence supports the many, many benefits of regular walking such as;
- Reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke
- Lower blood pressure
- Reduce high cholesterol and improve blood lipid profile
- Reduce body fat and helps control body weight
- Enhance mental well being
- Increase bone density, hence helping to prevent osteoporosis
- Reduce the risk of cancer of the colon
- Reduce the risk of non insulin dependant diabetes
- Help osteoarthritis
- Help flexibility and co-ordination hence reducing the risk of falls
- Help you live longer!
(Sources: Davison & Grant 1993, US Dept of Health 1996, British Heart Foundation 2000)
For general health, experts recommend accumulating a total of 30 minutes of brisk walking on most, preferably all days of the week.
10,000 steps a day is a reasonable and worthwhile goal. 10,000 steps is approx 5 miles (8.05km) Keep track of every step, try one of MIO's pedometers.
Click here to Start your Walking Program today!
