Walking For Exercise – How Much Should You Walk a Day
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What are the Benefits of Walking
What Are the Benefits of Walking
So first things first – you have to start moving. Whether you’re 15 lbs overweight, 50 lbs overweight, or 100 lbs overweight, the best way to introduce yourself to exercise is by WALKING. Even if this is the ONLY form of exercise you can start with … JUST WALK.
What are the benefits of walking? Walking can help with:
- weight loss
- preventing or managing high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and other conditions
- strengthening muscles and bones
- improving moods
- improving balance and coordination
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I was fortunate to have a long driveway on my property and if I circled it 4 times, I actually walked 1 mile. I would take my dogs with me just so the walk never got boring. I also did my walking in the evening after dinner. If I could have, I would have fit in a morning walk. However seeing I left my house at 5:00am for work … that wasn’t in the cards.
How Much Should You Walk A Day
But you don’t need a long driveway to clock steps – any place will do.
- if you have a street out in front of your home – walk a couple blocks. Better yet – walk up 4 blocks and back. Eight city blocks equate to 1 mile
- if you live in a high rise apartment complex – walk the hallways
- if you have a park or a beachfront that you feel comfortable enough to stroll, walk the pavement there
- if you live near a mall – walk the corridors. They specifically open their doors early (hours before the stores do) to accommodate mall walkers
Shoot for a mile for starters. If you feel this is too easy – go for two. Too much – go for less. Start with any number you feel comfortable with, but definitely try and aim for ONE. And do this EVERY DAY. Make sure you stretch before walking – do a couple leg lifts, add a couple leg stretches. You don’t want to give up after a few days all because of a pulled muscle.
Great information! I am trying to walk daily for about 30 minutes, this is so much fun. I think I am doing more than a mile, I will need to check.
This is such a motivational post on getting started with a walking routine! As someone who has struggled with maintaining exercise habits, I appreciate the straightforward advice just to start small and work your way up at a comfortable pace. Knowing that even a mile a day can provide health benefits is reassuring for beginners like me.