5 Reasons Why You Need to Walk

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Walking is an amazing exercise that remains my favorite exercise year after year. Not only is walking a very effective exercise; it’s good for your mood and fun as well!

Walking is also the ultimate exercise for losing and maintaining weight. In fact, I have found walking to be my BEST tool for staying slim and feeling good. (Seriously, it is the only thing that really gets rid of my love handles.)

I’ve been an avid walker for 20+ years and I want to share with you my reasons why I recommend walking so highly. I’m really passionate about walking and love sharing why it’s so amazing.

While most people acknowledge walking is good for you, it’s not nearly as glamorous as running seems to be and I suspect some people blow it off as an inferior type of exercise.

However, as a devoted outdoors walker, I am here to tell you, that walking is the Ultimate Exercise.

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Why you need to walk: It Works!

For me, walking gets the job done. And by job, I mean maintaining a healthy weight and metabolism. Research on the health benefits of walking also shows that consistent walking provides measurable positive outcomes.

I first discovered the benefits of walking while pregnant with my first child. Not only did I have an easy delivery but I was able to walk off the baby weight quickly.

For me, the magic number is three miles in one hour. That’s fairly brisk, but not uncomfortable at all.

And you get so many benefits for that one-hour investment a few times a week. I depend on it so much that I have written more in depth about it in five other posts. That is walking love!

Why you need to walk: It’s Super Easy on Your Body!

Walking is one of the safest exercises. It’s difficult to hurt yourself simply through walking. You can’t say the same for running or other high-impact cardio exercises. In fact, walking can actually be therapeutic for your body.

On many occasion, after my adjustment, my chiropractor prescribed walking to help me heal various work-induced back problems. And each and every time, my body was able to heal without pain medication, muscle relaxers, or surgery.

I’ve pulled muscles, hurt my back, and have even had a separated shoulder from other types of exercise.

I can say that in over 30 years of walking, I’ve never hurt myself!

The Health Benefits of Walking

There is quite a bit of research promoting the benefits of walking. Look around at how many people are wearing some sort of device to track their steps.

Walking is so good for so many things; people are looking for ways to get more steps into their lives. It’s probably the #1 recommended exercise out there. Here are some of the reasons why:

  • Reduces risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes
  • Burns calories, revs up metabolism, and can help with weight loss
  • Builds up your bones
  • Improves circulation
  • Boosts your brain power
  • Relieves stress and improves mood

Other things mentioned are reducing the risk of cancer and Alzheimer’s. There is a wealth of information promoting the benefits of walking.

Even moderate (but consistent) amounts can have a positive effect on your health.

Walking is an amazing exercise that can help you lose and maintain a healthy weight and remains year after year my favorite exercise. Not only is walking a very effective exercise; it's good for your mood and it's fun as well!

Why you need to walk: It’s Accessible and Free!

Put on your walking shoes, go outside and walk. It just doesn’t get any easier than that.

You can even wear regular clothes if you want. I do recommend getting a pair of good walking or running shoes. I buy mine at a discount store to keep the cost down.

The other great thing is that you don’t have to practice or learn to walk. You just go do it.

You might want to gradually increase your distance or speed but otherwise, it’s something you know how to do and you can do it almost anywhere.

I have lived in several places within the city of Houston and at every residence I have found safe places to walk, including my neighborhood and nearby parks.

For other safety tips, check out Get Ready to Walk Off the Pounds

I love to walk in city parks.

Walking for Health is Fun!

I look forward to my walk no matter what the weather. I enjoy the different seasons, the different ways the sky looks, the plants that are blooming, the animal life.

No walk is alike. Even though I take virtually the same path every day, I am amazed at all the variety I see each day. Here’s how to have even more fun walking.

Walking also helps my mind relax. While it’s not quite meditation; it definitely calms my thoughts and emotions. I feel much better mentally after a walk.

Walking Outdoors is such an amazing and healthy activity. At the very least start adding more walking to your daily routine.

Park your car far away from the grocery store door. Take a longer on bathroom breaks.

Spend part of your lunch hour outside walking. Walking is so vital to good health it makes sense to add more to your day.

Why Walking is My Ultimate Exercise

My life simply feels better when I am able to walk almost every day. I’d walk every day just for the overall sense of well-being I get from my walks.

But I also notice that walking seems to be the exercise, if done consistently, that helps me really get at that stubborn fat around my middle.

Believe it or not, by walking consistently, I am also able to participate in other activities such as cycling and hiking.

I’ve also found ways to increase the intensity of a walk so that it burns more calories and works more muscles. Read about that in How to Make Walking More Effective.

Have a great walk today!

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Sara

Sara

I'm a certified life and weight loss coach who helps women feel better and get the most out of their lives! The process of life coaching teaches you to love yourself and gain self confidence in a safe effective way.

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7 Comments

  1. Roy Miller on August 12, 2016 at 11:08 am

    Walking is a great exercise. My wife and I do it together and we really enjoy the time together.

    • Sara on August 13, 2016 at 3:16 pm

      Hi Roy. Walking with a spouse, partner, child, or friend is a great way to connect without the distractions that are around the house: chores, tv, phone, computer, etc.

  2. sara on August 3, 2016 at 3:47 pm

    i just recently started walking every other day 2 or more miles. i hope to see some weight loss results soon. i have gained in the two weeks but keep telling myself its muscle. i liked reading your blog on walking & why you think its so great. i think many people blow off walking like its not a great “exercise”

    • Sara on August 8, 2016 at 6:39 pm

      I love walking but I’m also careful about what and when I eat (this and this). The scale only tells a part of the story–so don’t give up on something that is so good for you. I’ve never found it to be a “quick” thing but I find it essential to my overall “weight management strategy.”

  3. […] Sarah shares 5 reasons why you need to walk. […]

  4. Paula on June 1, 2016 at 12:01 pm

    I really need to get back into walking. I always feel better when I do, even if it’s just on the treadmill.

    • Sara on June 1, 2016 at 12:05 pm

      Hi Paula. To be truthful, it’s hard for me this time of the year because of the heat. But it really is the best thing for my body and I can see the difference when I don’t do it.

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