Walking is so simple, yet the benefits are enormous. For those of you who've never tried walking as a form of exercise, then you're in for a treat. It can help you lose body fat, improve your health, and allow you to be happier over all! I'm sure many of us have had other forms of exercise before running or hitting the gym. After all, we've all heard the old phrase “no pain no gain” right? This couldn't be further from the truth in regards to walking.
Walking is one of the best forms of exercise. You can do it anywhere and at any time, and it's free! You probably already know that walking can help you lose weight and improve your overall health. But did you know that the benefits of walking extend far beyond the obvious?
Here are five reasons why you should add this simple activity to your daily routine:
1. Walking helps prevent heart disease and stroke. Evidence from epidemiological studies suggest that even small improvements in the amount of daily walking is better than no walking, and greater increases confer larger cardiovascular health benefits Walking for an average of 30 minutes or more a day can lower the risk of heart disease, stroke by 35% percent
2. Walking improves blood sugar levels for people with diabetes. When you do moderate exercise, like walking, that makes your heart beat a little faster and breathe a little harder. Your muscles use more glucose, that's the sugar in your blood stream. Over time, this can lower your blood sugar levels. It also makes the insulin in your body work better.
3. Walking reduces inflammation in the body, which can help protect against chronic conditions like arthritis, asthma, cancer and more. In fact a study, recently published online in Brain, Behavior and Immunity , found one 20-minute session of moderate exercise can stimulate the immune system, producing an anti-inflammatory cellular response.
4. Walking helps keep bones strong by increasing muscle mass and bone density over time. Walking is a weight bearing exercise that builds and maintains strong bones and is an excellent exercise. Not only it improves your bone health, but it also increases your muscle strength, coordination, and balance which in turn helps to prevent falls and related fractures, and improve your overall health
5. Walking reduces stress levels by releasing endorphins in the brain. Research has shown that walking promotes the release of brain chemicals called endorphins that stimulate relaxation and improve our mood. Walking does not have to be done at a fast pace to have stress-relieving benefits. Even a stroll at a comfortable pace promotes relaxation.
So, what have we discovered? Well, walking is important in many ways. Try using a pedometer they are affordable and easy to use, and shooting for 10,000 steps per day is a good goal to start with. Walking does not only help us lose body fat , but it can also improve our mood, among other benefits. In today's society, many of us rely on the convenience of cars and other forms of transportation to get around. However, walking can offer a great way to get some exercise while helping us achieve our daily activity goals—and it may even be fun.