Health benefits of walking
For those of you following my Sharing a Challenge Series last month, you know I was preparing for a half-marathon race. Originally, I was going to run it, but part way through my training I discovered I much preferred power walking.
I am happy to report that not only did I cross the half-marathon finish line, but I beat my target time. I was allowing myself 3 hours and 15 minutes. I completed the 13 miles/21 kilometers in 3 hours 9 minutes and 13 seconds. But, most importantly, I felt fantastic throughout the entire race. I even had enough energy to run in the second half.
Now I am totally hooked on walking for exercise. I am a walking fiend. No special equipment required. Just a good pair of shoes and off I go. Best of all, I can easily incorporate walking into ‘getting somewhere’. I have walked home from work (2.5 hours), met my daughter at the mall (1.25 hours), and toured Montreal (9 hours).
Okay, admittedly 9 hours is a bit extreme, but we did break it by stopping for food and drink.
According to a survey by the Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute, 64% of all Canadians live within a 30 minute walk of a routine destination. Doesn’t mean they walk it!
Mr Very Right and I are just as guilty. Our grocery store is three blocks away, but we drive, even for just one bag of groceries. We talk about how silly that is, but we still drive. My stepson lives six blocks away, but we drive to pick him up and drop him off. Ridiculous!
I think it’s a mindset of being too busy to walk. Why spend thirty minutes walking, when we can spend five minutes in the car?
Because it is way better for our health!
Walking reduces the following:
- risk of coronary heart disease
- high cholesterol
- body fat
- risk of colon cancer
- effects of osteoarthritis
- blood pressure
Walking increases:
- flexibility and coordination
- bone density
- general feeling of well being
I’m starting to plan around walking. Dinner at my daughter’s at 5 p.m.? Simply a matter of leaving the house at 4 p.m. Need some more jewelry making supplies? Eat lunch at my desk at work while sorting all those emails, then head out for a brisk walk to the bead store.
Actually, once I realized how much I enjoy walking, I started looking for ways to incorporate walks into my routine.
I am already planning next year’s half-marathon. Between power walking and adding in a few more short runs, my plan is to come in under three hours.
A final note on how good walking makes me feel. About three-quarters of the way through the race, one of the volunteers said to me “Hey! You are still smiling.” I wasn’t even aware of it, but he was absolutely right. I was smiling. Grinning from ear to ear.
Your turn:
Is walking part of your regular fitness routine?
What have you found to be the benefits of walking?
Don’t miss out!
To make sure you don’t miss out on any of the topics and discussions, subscribe by RSS or Email
Blog carnival
Do you have a post you would like to share on aging? Submit your post to the monthly Silver & Grace blog carnival.
Yes I love walking. I buy new shoes every 18 months to 2 years and it is my only expense. I live near a huge park/sheep farm in Auckland, New Zealand so it is very convenient to step out each day. My only hump is that in the winter when it is cold and wet I am very reluctant to venture out. When I do pass on the walking I really have to watch what I eat because the waistline does expand (groan). I have begun an online ‘walking project’ business that I plan to get off the ground this year.
Helen Wenley´s last blog ..Do you need to take anti-aging supplements?
@Helen – my walking grinds to a halt in Winter as well. Mainly because it becomes too treacherous with all the snow! Mr. Very Right and I keep meaning to replace walking with cross-country skiing in the Winter months, but so far we have not been very faithful to this. And you bring up another good point about walking … no special equipment required other than a good pair of shoes.
I started walking when my kids had to get to school and the roads were so jammed with 4x4s that parking was impossible.
With one at primary and one in nursery, I was clocking up 6 miles a day at one point and I loved it. I could eat what I liked and I weighed less than I ever did when I was relying on an aerobics class twice a week.
I did try jogging but it made my knees hurt, whereas power walking was just so easy. I always made sure I was late leaving for any appointment which meant that I had to keep to a strict schedule and speed. And, yes, I was always smiling too
Joanna Cake´s last blog ..Get Paid For Opinions
@Joanna – I have fallen off the walking band wagon. That always happens to me after competing in a race. However, I am hauling out my shoes and getting back out there this coming week. P.S. I really like the ‘eat what I like’ part of power walking