Last Updated on December 3, 2022 by Ellen Christian
The health benefits of walking make it one of my favorite exercises! Staying healthy is more than what you eat, it’s also about what you do. It’s important to stay active in a healthy lifestyle. Yes, I know it’s not easy and there are never enough hours in the day. I don’t have the time or the money to join a gym so the exercise I do needs to be affordable and close to home.
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Health Benefits of Walking
Recently, I’ve started developing a few aches and pains that come along with aging. Suddenly, I’m finding that exercises I used to be able to enjoy were just not working any longer. Since I have no plan to stop exercising, I started looking for exercises I could still enjoy and discovered the health benefits of walking.
How much should you walk a day?
There are many different types of walking from a casual stroll around the neighborhood to a power walk with weights. Which one you choose to do will probably depend on your fitness level and your goals. My walking style is somewhere between the two. While I don’t casually stroll up the road, I am not power walking either. I would say that it is probably a brisk walk. If you’re just getting started, check out these walking tips for beginners.
Can you lose weight by walking thirty minutes a day?
Brisk walking will help you maintain a healthy weight and lose weight if you are overweight. How much you lose will depend on how quickly you walk, your current weight and activity level, and your diet. I use Sweatcoin to stay motivated and to lose weight. They pay you for walking outside. It’s 100% free to download and to use. By walking roughly 3 miles a day, you can lose about 3 pounds a month. This is an average so your results will vary.
Can you lose belly fat by walking?
As you exercise and lose weight, your percentage of body fat will decrease throughout your entire body including your stomach. Walking and running are two of the best ways to burn fat. Maintaining a healthy weight and active lifestyle will also help with heart disease, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes. Of course, making changes to your diet will help as well.
Benefit of walking 1 hour a day
- Walking can help improve your mood. I know just getting outside in the sun always improves my mood.
- Taking brisk walks can help reduce the risk of osteoporosis. As a woman who has left her thirties behind, this is a concern of mine.
- Walking outside in the sun increases your Vitamin D levels from exposure to sunlight.
- Regular exercise, including walking, helps improve the quality of your sleep.
- Walking as a couple can help improve the quality of your relationship which in turn helps with stress and mood levels.
- 15 minutes of walking after a meal can help improve blood glucose control in people with poor control.
- Walking helps give you *me time* when you can do it without the kids. Put your cares of out your mind and just walk. It’s a great way to manage stress.
Whether you are power walking or casually strolling around the neighborhood, make sure you choose a good pair of shoes. Shoes with good arch support help reduce aches and pains and help you maintain an active lifestyle.
As someone who used to walk in whatever pair of shoes I happened to have on, I pay particular attention to the shoes I buy. Wearing cheap shoes, I developed plantar fasciitis which is basically strained ligaments that led to a heel spur.
If you’re interested in losing weight or just making a few healthier choices in your life, walking is a great way to get started. You can also try hiking if you want a bit more of a workout. Learn how to set health goals you can really achieve. And, check out these personal safety tips for walking alone.
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Ellen is a busy mom of a 24-year-old son and 29-year-old daughter. She owns six blogs and is addicted to social media. She believes that it doesn’t have to be difficult to lead a healthy life. She shares simple healthy living tips to show busy women how to lead fulfilling lives. If you’d like to work together, email info@confessionsofanover-workedmom.com to chat.