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March 6, 2021Walk The Talk: Walking As An Exercise
Walking is a simple yet effective way to keep the body strong healthy. It is also a great way to share valuable time with family, friends, and colleagues. Rather than always going out on your own, ask someone to join you. Next time you have a meeting, why not take it outdoors? You may well find that the fresh air will help you think outside the box and inspire greater creativity.
Walking can be a fantastic way to reconnect with nature. While walking, use all your senses to gain a greater appreciation of your environs. Learn to read the countryside with your eyes: the broader canvas painted by glaciers and erosion, the presence of old habitations, field walls and drains, quarries, gravel pits, decaying fence posts, and second growth forests. Watch for animal tracks and signs. Listen and try to identify bird song, the drumming of woodpeckers, the rustle of creatures rummaging in the undergrowth. Feel the shape and texture of bark, flowers and leaves. Smell the aroma of freshly mown grass, the varying scent of new flowers, the rich scent of different fungi, decaying wood and leaf mould, the warm air from the south, and the cold, crisp air from the north.
Walking and hiking is an easy way to meet some wonderful people, perhaps even your next partner. In addition, many clubs offer hikes for singles, dog owners, and others. If you want a physical challenge that's exciting, try orienteering. It is a participation sport for young and old. It involves a combination of map reading and decision-making skills. There are levels to suit all ages and skills, in addition to enjoying a great workout.
Walking 10,000 Steps
Many fitness experts recommend walking 10,000 steps a day for optimum health. 10,000 steps convert to about 5 miles, depending on the length of your stride. A pedometer is needed in order to count how many steps you take each day. Follow the directions that usually come with the it. Do this for a week or two, and you will get a good average step count. The goal is to reach at least 10,000 steps each day. There is nothing magical about this number, but it is a good starting point.
Become creative on ways to increase your steps. Go for walks at lunchtime when on duty. Walk the dog. Walk to the store instead of driving, or park at the far end of the parking lot. Use the stairs instead of the elevator. Take brisk 2-mile walks around the neighborhood everyday. Just do whatever works best for you. You will need good walking shoes and socks to prevent injury when walking for exercise (like aerobic walking).
There are a lot of exercise programs that are beginning to realize the benefits of walking as an exercise. As it is something virtually anyone that can walk can do, there is a huge market for walking programs. Any program that motivates you to walk frequently is good.
With so many benefits and virtually no cons, you can't go wrong with walking. Its only drawback is that it takes time to do, but it is time well spent. What is the value of good health and longevity? Add on a favorite piece of gym equipment and you have everything needed to develop a healthy workout and exercise program without the inconvenience of going to the gym all the time.
