If you haven’t exercised in a while like me, or are looking for something easy you can do every single day give walking a try. It’s the perfect low impact exercise. It’s easy to do, no matter what your fitness level is at and no special equipment is required.
This is just the right season for me to begin walking again. It is cool and refreshing outside and I won’t over heat. I use to do quite a bit of walking. I miss it. It is time to get back to what I enjoy, even if it pains me.
Low Impact Exercise
Walking Daily
If you’re not in the best of shape, start by going for a 15 or 20-minute walk around the neighborhood and work your way up from there. I accomplish this by taking my daughter to school. If you’re already in great shape, walking can still provide an effective workout. Walk fast and incorporate some hills and even stairs.
If it has been awhile since you have been active, start small and only do what you can. Maybe your doctor suggested that you move around more, or maybe you just want to take charge of your health and well-being. In either case, walking is the perfect way to start.
Finding the Right Shoes
Shoes are the most important part of walking and if your feet aren’t comfortable, you won’t want to continue this low pact exercise. While my shoes are comfortable for a short time, I still haven’t found the right ones to keep my feet from aching.
Find a pair of comfortable shoes, put them on and go for a stroll through your neighborhood. Find a local park with a nice path you can walk on. If the weather’s wet and cold, head to your local mall and walk or hop on a treadmill.
Keep Moving Indoors
You don’t always need to go outside to walk. It is simple to do at home in front of the TV. While you sit on the couch at night watching TV, get up during commercial breaks and walk in place until your TV show comes back on. If you’re using a service like Netflix, make yourself walk in place for 10 minutes in between episodes. Turn on the TV and dare yourself to walk in place during the entire show. Time will fly while you’re having fun watching TV.
Mix up your route and walk in different parts of the city, or visit different parks. Invite a friend to come along with you to walk. It’s always nice to have someone to talk to and having a walking buddy keeps you accountable. Grab your phone and listen to music or audio books as you walk to make the time go by faster.
The main thing is that you get out there, move around, and get some exercise in a way that’s sympathetic on your joints and the rest of your body. Just give it a try and see if you don’t start to feel better, happier, and stronger after a few weeks of regular walks.
Some days my feet, back, and knees prevent me from heading out to walk but I try to do my best with sticking to a routine.