Walking As Exercise

Walking is the most overlooked and neglected exercise form. Most people do not bother to walk because it looks and sounds easy. Instead, they sign up for expensive aerobic classes and spend hours in the gym.

We recommend walking as exercise since it costs nothing, requires neither a partner nor expensive gadgets, and burns nearly the same amount of calories as jogging. It does not burden the body, and releases tension if done in calm surroundings like a park or country road.

Tips for Walking as Exercise

Do not eat for at least an hour before going for a walk. Digestion takes up a lot of bodily energy.
If you exercise right after eating, you will overburden yourself. Fruits or juices are okay since they do not tax the system as much.
Exercise alone will not make you healthy. No amount of walking or jogging will help the body if you do not eat properly or are in love with cigarettes and alcohol. Jim Fixx, considered the father of running, died in his 50s even though he ran everyday. Why? Because three arteries from his heart were severely blocked.
It does not really matter when you do it. We acknowledge that an early morning walk is better because the air is significantly fresher. However, if you can only make time in the afternoon, that is okay.
Avoid busy roads. You need fresh air and calm surroundings. The aim is to relax the mind as well as exercise the body. Inhaling more carbon dioxide than oxygen is harmful for the body. Find a nice, green place.

How to Do It

The human body is designed to walk. No one needs to be taught how to do it. If you want greater impact from walking as exercise, here are our recommendations:

Walk for at least 30 minutes every day. Keep your pace at three to five miles an hour.
Vary your routes so that you are not walking on flat ground.
If you cannot maintain a brisk pace, this is what you should do. Start by brisk walking for two minutes, then walk at a more comfortable pace for the next two minutes. Thereafter, pick up your pace again. If you can maintain a brisk walk, do so for approximately 20 minutes.

In Conclusion

Do not worry if you cannot allocate 30 minutes a day. The most important thing is to do it regularly. Walking as exercise will restore your peace of mind, maintain your blood pressure and control your appetite. It is better than any pills invented by mankind.

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