In this day and age, Pilates, yoga, running, and many more workouts are becoming more popular. People go to different lengths to find the best full-body exercises to stay active or even to lose weight. What is often forgotten are the various benefits of the simple but effective workout called: walking.
Walking is one of the best low-impact workouts for everyone. Not only does it increase your daily cardio, but walking engages your core greatly. It is a common goal, for many, to try and reach 10,000 steps a day, but do not worry if you aren’t there yet. Walking every day will gradually increase your stamina and provide you with long-term health benefits.
A specific long-term benefit of walking is that it reduces your risk of heart disease and strokes and improves muscle strength. With an improvement in muscle endurance, the body will start to tone physically.
About two months ago, I made it a goal to try and walk two miles every day along with my regular workouts. After the first month, I noticed leg muscle development and toning. Aside from the physical effects, walking also boosted my mood and made me feel more energized.
Another thing to know is the productiveness of walking after a meal; specifically, within 10 minutes after consuming. It helps steady your blood sugar and makes for a smoother digestion of your food. I have noticed walking after I eat dinner helps to decrease bloating immensely.
It is quite easy to make walking a fun activity. You can go on a treadmill, but I would recommend walking outside. Nothing beats fresh air and a trail. You can listen to music or bring a friend along too! The beauty of walking is that you can do it anytime, anywhere. Do you live close to a grocery store? Next time you’re out of bread, walk to the market!
