Walking is Effective Exercise

Walking is often underrated as an exercise with significant health benefits. Because of this myth, it is often not included in fitness programs. This is unfortunate since there is plenty of evidence to show that walking is an effective exercise.

A 2023 study published in the National Library of Medicine indicates walking has anti-aging effects and helps prevent age-related diseases. Furthermore, it shows walking reduces muscle and joint pain while improving function, as well as promoting sleep, improved mental health, and overall resilience.

Another study in JAMA Internal Medicine suggests that up to 10,000 steps per day may be associated with a lower risk of mortality, cancer, and cardiovascular disease.

The Mayo Clinic suggests taking a daily brisk walk can help you live a healthier life and provide the following benefits:

Maintain a healthy weight and lose body fat
Prevent or manage various conditions, including heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, cancer and type 2 diabetes
Improve cardiovascular fitness
Strengthen your bones and muscles
Improve muscle endurance
Increase energy levels
Improve your mood, cognition, memory, and sleep
Improve your balance and coordination
Strengthen immune system
Reduce stress and tension

My Daily Walk

I started a walking program this past year with great results. Additionally, I began walking to spend more time with my dog, get outdoors, and start my day off right. After six months, I noticed significant muscle tone improvement in my legs. Also, the cellulite on my thighs and butt area was dramatically less. Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised with my physical results and loved how I felt mentally adding an hour walk each morning.

I found walking to be practical and a fun way to maintain being healthy through the aging process. Also, I especially appreciate the lower intensity and impact walking has on my body. Furthermore, as a 60-year-old fit woman, higher-impact exercise like running no longer feels good to me. As a result, walking has become a great alternative and something I can do for a lifetime.

Walk Your Way Fit

Taking a brisk daily walk is shown to be effective exercise with significant health benefits. Walking at a brisk pace means you are working in the moderate heart rate zone. This will vary per person, fitness level, and age but is defined as between 50-70% of your maximum heart rate according to the American Heart Association.

A brisk walk is not a stroll but a quicker pace that makes you feel a little breathless. You can still carry on a conversation but may take short pauses to get a breath. I found it helpful to wear a sports watch that tracks my heart rate for an easy check of being in the moderate zone.

Walking is a simple and effective way to add exercise to your daily routine. It requires no special equipment or gym membership and can be done any time of day. Because of these positives, walking is shown to be an ideal form of exercise for people of all ages.

As a personal trainer and coach for over 30 years, I share videos and posts specific to the importance of aging well through proper fitness and nutrition on my Instagram pag e. I look forward to having you as a follower.

Thanks for reading my Blog. Remember to subscribe and never miss a free update!