It is easy to take the simple art of walking for granted. After all, most of us have been walking since before we could form a full sentence.
However, walking is one of the easiest and most beneficial forms of exercise you can do and it is a vastly underrated addition to your health and wellness plan.
Physical activity does not have to be strenuous on your body in order to deliver results.
Just 30 minutes of walking per day can help you burn fat, build muscle, strengthen your bones—and help you relieve stress.
Walking isn’t just great for you either—it’s free! You don’t need any special equipment, expensive memberships or training, you just need a pair of comfortable shoes and to head outside.
See what we mean about walking being an underrated type of exercise?
Now, more than ever, it is so important that you stick to your health and fitness goals and to get outside for some fresh air whenever possible. We know that many of our Laurel are patients looking for a safe way to work out that will still help them get the health benefits, and the results, they are looking for. And we always recommend walking.
And today is the day to get started.
Walking for Exercise Foundations
One of the best things about walking for exercise is that anyone can do it. Walking is all about going at your own pace. This is why any person, no matter their age, weight or fitness level can start their exercise plan with walking.
Plus, once you have a strong foundation, you can keep building on what you have—increasing speed, time and even adding resistance with weights and hills.
Your goal with walking for exercise should always be 30 minutes per day. If you feel like you can’t do this safely, then take your time and work your way up. A half-hour per day is a great goal and one that is very achievable—you just need to prioritize it in your schedule.
There is a very low-risk of injury with walking and it is generally low impact and easy on the joints and muscles. While injuries are rare, if you start to feel any aches, low back pains, sore muscles or are worried you may have an injury—make sure give us a call at McAuliffe Chiropractic Office right away!
The Unrecognized Health Benefits of Walking
Did you know, that according to study from the American Heart Association, people who own dogs tend to live longer than those who don’t?
Researchers looked at ten different studies, over nearly 70 years and 3 million participants—and found that dog owners had a 24% risk reduction for death from any cause.
Why?
Authors of the study deducted that the life-extending benefits of dog ownership could be traced, in part, to the increased physical activity that comes from walking your dog.
So, in addition to bringing you love, companionship and unwavering loyalty—your canine companion may actually help you live longer as well, just by encouraging you to get out and walk.
And there are even more benefits than a potentially longer life. While a lot of people start walking as a way to lose weight or get in shape—there are so many more ways in which regular walking can improve your health. This includes:
However, our favorite benefit is that walking outside means you are getting a great source of vitamin D. Vitamin D is essential for maintaining healthy bones and teeth and can actually help protect you from a number of diseases and conditions such as type 1 diabetes.
Vitamin D also provides support to your immune, brain and nervous systems, which paired with regular adjustments can help keep these vital systems up and running as they should be.
Add that extra dose of vitamin D with the benefits of regular walking, and you can really be setting yourself, and your body, up for success.
If you have any questions about getting started with this or any other work out plan and want to make sure you are staying healthy, well-adjusted and pain-free as you exercise—give us a call to make an appointment at 301-776-0755.
Of course, if you’ve been to our office before, you know that Laurel Lake is the perfect place to get started with your new walking exercise plan. We’ll see you out there!
