Walking is one of the most popular exercises worldwide. This is because walking requires no special skills, but it can give you a wide range of health benefits.
Walking is a great aerobic exercise that is low impact and does not hurt your joints like other exercises. It is also a great exercise because anyone of any fitness level can do it and they can start today by going out for a walk. Walking does not require a lot of expensive equipment.
Walking Is An Aerobic Exercise
Walking is considered a type of aerobic physical exercise. This is because walking will increase your heart rate, especially brisk walking.
If you go out on a brisk walk, your heart rate will increase, and you will get good cardiovascular exercise. Cardiovascular exercise is also known to improve blood flow and help lower blood pressure.
One of the added benefits of walking is that it is also considered a low-impact aerobic exercise that does not strain or hurt your joints. It is an exercise anyone can do at any age or fitness level.
You can get outside to walk regardless of your fitness level. Even if you’re strolling, you can still get out the door and build your endurance and cardiovascular health while walking.
Many people assume that walking is not as beneficial as some higher-impact workouts. Studies have found that walking offers some of the same benefits as higher-intensity workouts such as running or jogging; of course, the faster you walk, and the more energy you exert, the greater will be your health benefits.
Health Benefits Of Walking
Walking is an exercise that is not only a great aerobic exercise but also is known to be able to improve many other areas of your life and fitness goals.
Here are some areas walking can help you with your health and fitness goals:
Walking Improves Cardiovascular Health
Walking is one of the recommended exercises for people with cardiovascular disease. This is because walking is a relatively safe way for them to become more active and healthy.
So even getting out to walk a couple of times a week can help your overall cardiovascular health.
Walking Helps Diabetes
Walking has been shown to help delay or prevent the development of type two diabetes and improve insulin sensitivity, including type one diabetes. This is because walking and physical activity, in general, can affect various metabolic responses that control our blood glucose.
Walking is so important to diabetes that the American Diabetes Association recommends a minimum of 150 minutes weekly of aerobic exercise such as walking. This means that if you did three 50-minute walks a week, you should see added improvements in your insulin and metabolic health.
Walking Lowers Obesity Levels
Walking, especially brisk, can help you control your weight, lower your risk of obesity, or help you lose weight. It was found that brisk walking for three hours a week causes a significant reduction in body weight, body mass index, and waist circumference for men and women.
In other words, if you are suffering from obesity, then you should go out to try to walk at least three hours a week.
Walking Improves Your Sleep
Walking is also known to improve your sleep. Studies found that people who exercise improve their sleep quality, duration, and time. If you have a hard time sleeping, try to go for a walk to see if that helps.
Some studies have also shown that walking is more effective than yoga and helps improve sleep quality in many people.
Walking Helps Depression And Anxiety
If you are suffering from depression and anxiety, it has been found that walking can have a positive effect on your mental health. Walking, especially going outdoors for a walk, has been shown to help with depression.
Some studies have shown that those who walk in nature, such as in a forest or park, may have an added benefit for their depression and anxiety. I know when I go outside for a walk and see a beautiful sunrise or sunset, it just feels good, and I feel good.
Just Starting To Walk Again – Ease Into It
If you are starting to walk again as a physical activity after a long absence, one of the best things you can do is ease into it. Try to increase your daily steps and distance gradually.
Build up your muscles and transition into getting up to the distance you want. Try to go fast and then slow until you can increase your speed and go further in the same amount of time.
One of the great things we’d love about walking as an exercise is if anyone of any fitness level can get out, get on the walking shoes, and start walking. It doesn’t matter how many steps you take, but when you get out the door and start walking and becoming physically active, you also start working to increase your speed and distance as you walk.
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Related Question
What Is The Relationship Between Physical Fitness & Health?
Physical fitness has been shown to help adults to lower many different types of diseases. Your physical fitness level and activity could also add years to your life. But not only that, but it will also help you have a better quality of life.
You can read more about What Is The Relationship Between Physical Fitness & Health? by clicking here.
Who Invented Walking And How Did He Get The Idea?
You can lose weight on a keto diet without exercising, but there can be many added benefits if you add exercise to your keto diet. Being on a keto diet is about changing and improving your lifestyle for good, and adding exercise into this will help you change and improve your overall lifestyle.
You can read more about Who Invented Walking And How Did He Get The Idea? by clicking here.