So, how many of us can truthfully say we regularly go for walks? I know I can’t, but that’s before I became the owner of two little puppies- and now I can’t wait to get out and about!
However, I’ve never really known how easy and beneficial it can be to just go for a walk. I bet all of us got our steps in at the start of lockdown. But has life now meant you do less of the evening loops that you once were doing? Why should this be the case? Why can’t we all go for regular walks and return to normal life?
Walking is a great way to improve or even maintain overall health, fitness and wellbeing. As little as 30 minutes a day can increase cardiovascular fitness, strengthen bones and reduce body fat. Unlike other forms of exercise, walking is free and doesn’t require any special equipment or training and is also low impact- so what are we all waiting for?
It is important to remember that although gym, weight training & strength training are hugely advantageous to one’s performance, wellbeing and lifestyle, not all physical activity has to be vigorous or last for long periods of time.
If 30 minutes is too difficult to factor in to your routine, then physical activity can be incorporated into your lifestyle more easily than you may think!
- Take the stairs instead of a lift
- Get off transport a stop earlier and walk the rest
Now a days you can get a cheap Fitbit or pedometer online. These are great things to monitor how far you are walking via steps or distance tracking! It’s a nice way to compare days and log exercise… can you reach 10,000 steps a day?
Benefits of walking
Increased cardiovascular and pulmonary (heart & lung) fitness
Reduced risk to heart disease and stroke
Improved management for hypertension (high blood pressure), high cholesterol, joint and muscular pain or stiffness and diabetes
Stronger bones
Improved balance
Increased muscular strength and endurance
Reduced body fat
An opportunity to get away and improve mental wellbeing
I hope you found this blog interesting and are more motivated than ever to start some walking. Follow @injuryrecoverycentre on Instagram as I begin to log my walking routines when my two little puppies can start going on adventures!
Take care,
Liv
BSc Hons Sports Therapy MSST
MSc Strength and Conditioning
07761887778
olivia@injuryrecoverycentre.co.uk
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