Five Steps to Walking Your Way into Health

Walking is one of the best forms of exercise if you want to be healthier. It is easy to do, can be done any time and in any clothes. It does not require any special training or a gym membership. Walking has been shown to reduce the chances of cancer and other degenerative diseases, lengthen lifespan, increase metabolism, and more. The following are some tips to help you get the most out of walking, and see the biggest benefits:

Tip one: Walk faster. Your goal when you walk is to get your heart rate up some so that your heart gets exercise, and your body has a chance to benefit from the exercise. One of the best ways to do this is to pick up the pace some. If you find it difficult to walk at a high speed for a long time, then consider doing intervals where you push yourself for thirty seconds every five minutes, or some other time frame. This is going to benefit you more than taking a leisurely walk.

Tip two: Walk further. You walk during the day, all day long, but your goal should be to walk further than normal, and not just in normal circumstances. Go for a walk, and walk a few miles. Park at the back of the parking lot whenever you go somewhere. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Walk to work or school, etc. There are plenty of ways to walk further during the day, and the more you walk, the healthier you will be.

Take care of your feet when you walk.

Tip three: Walk often. One of the best ways to cash in on the health benefits of walking is to make it a regular thing. Each day take a nice long walk. Make it a routine, something you do consistently. You can join a walking group, push your kids in a stroller and walk to the park, or walk to and from your job, school, or store. Get in the habit of walking often.

Tip four: Start slow. If you have not been working out, and want to walk to a healthier you, do not start out too hard, or you may not come back to it. Instead, start by walking a mile or so at a moderate pace. As you get comfortable doing that daily, increase the distance and/or speed. After you are comfortable with far distances and a nice pace, consider adding in other elements to the workout such as weights, intervals, or breathing exercises.

Tip five: Wear the right shoes. One of the biggest obstacles to walking your way to a healthy new you is blisters, heel pain, shin splints, or other ailments. If you are going to make a habit of walking, you need to ensure you have the proper footwear for it. Buying a comfortable, supportive pair of shoes, and breathable socks is going to keep your feet safe and healthy so that you can continue walking and finding the many health benefits that come from taking nice long walks.