I’ve always enjoyed going for
a walk, but never really saw it as a exercise.
It’s worked to clear my head, diffuse my anger, and give me a healthy
glow, but over the years it’s been kind of an add on to my “real” workouts.
But this spring, my husband
and I moved out of our house in the suburbs to an area of the city that is
infinitely walkable, and I feel healthier now than I have in years.
I’ve always liked exploring
when I’m visiting a new city. After visiting Chicago, New York, or even cities
out of the country, I’d always expect to gain weight from all of the foods that
I try. But, because of all the walking, I usually come out even when I get
home.I never made the connection that maybe it’s because I was walking so much
!
I’ve already written about my
Fitbit obsession, and this move has taken it to a new level. The move itself
involved cleaning, packing, running bags of clothing to donate and lots of
stairs. I thought I’d hit my highest step goal then.
However, moving day brought a
lot of surprises. My storage closets are on the other side of my building, as
is the trash bin, so it’s quite a few steps back and forth just for that.
And once we are home, we don’t have to drive
to all of the places I used to go daily. The grocery store, pharmacy, restaurants,
bars and shops are all walkable. I now justify getting a Jeni’s ice cream cone
by the fact that it’s 1,000 steps each way walking , so I must burn off at
least some of the calories!
The best part is that we live
one block from Forest Park in St Louis. I had been to the park before and
driven by many times. I had driven to it’s museums, zoo, and theaters, and went
to specific events, but I had never actually walked through the amazing
landscape and pathways!
And as much as I still love
my gym workouts, the health benefits of walking are many! Harvard researchers
note :
It counteracts the effects of weight-promoting genes. Harvard
researchers looked at 32 obesity-promoting genes in over 12,000 people to
determine how much these genes actually contribute to body weight. They then
discovered that, among the study participants who walked briskly for about an
hour a day, the effects of those genes were cut in half.
It helps tame a sweet tooth. A pair of
studies from the University of Exeter found that a 15-minute walk can curb
cravings for chocolate and even reduce the amount of chocolate you eat in
stressful situations. And the latest research confirms that walking can reduce
cravings and intake of a variety of sugary snacks.
It reduces the risk of developing breast cancer. Researchers
already know that any kind of physical activity blunts the risk of breast
cancer. But an American Cancer Society study that zeroed in on walking found
that women who walked seven or more hours a week had a 14% lower risk of breast
cancer than those who walked three hours or fewer per week. And walking
provided this protection even for the women with breast cancer risk factors,
such as being overweight or using supplemental hormones.
It eases joint pain. Several studies have found
that walking reduces arthritis-related
pain, and that walking five to six miles a week can even prevent arthritis from
forming in the first place. Walking protects the joints — especially the knees
and hips, which are most susceptible to osteoarthritis — by lubricating them
and strengthening the muscles that support them.
It boosts immune function. Walking can
help protect you during cold and flu season. A study of over 1,000 men and
women found that those who walked at least 20 minutes a day, at least 5 days a
week, had 43% fewer sick days than those who exercised once a week or less. And
if they did get sick, it was for a shorter duration, and their symptoms were
milder.
So grab your fitness tracker,
lace up your shoes and get out there. No equipment needed. Even a daily walk
around the block can boost your health and clear your head, so why not give it
a try?
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