Walking is a wonderful form of exercise
So you don’t know where to start when it comes to exercise. Just put on a good pair of sneakers and head out the door. Walking is one of the easiest ways to start an exercise regime. Walking at a steady pace for 20 minutes a day will help to keep your heart healthy. Walking is low impact so that it saves your knees and other areas that are susceptible to injury. It does not only help you lose weight but can also help with balance and core strengthening. There are only a few things to remember while walking.
1. When you first start out, make sure that you find a level flat surface to walk around. Later, when you want more challenges, then you can walk places that have hills and valleys.
2. Walk at a steady pace. A person can burn approximately 100 calories a mile walking a steady pace of 3 miles an hour. This is enough to get your heart beat into the area which also helps with your heart health.
3. Dress for the weather. If walking outside make sure that you dress for the weather. You are more likely to keep up the walking if you are comfortable.
4. Walk with others. When there are others to talk and walk with you are more likely to walk longer and quicker. You also may enjoy it more.
5. Be careful when listening to music on headphones. One should always be aware of their surroundings. Do not have the headphone up high enough to where you cannot hear what is going on around you.
6. Proper shoes. Always use a proper walking shoe to prevent injury. Experts suggest that shoes be replaced every three to four months depending on how much walking is done because of wear and tear on the shoes. Purchase shoes with good ankle support to prevent twisting of ankles.
7. Mix it up. Have more than one route in which you walk. This helps in a number of ways, first, it helps to keep you safe from being a target of a mugging or worse, second, it helps keep the walking from becoming boring.
8. Always let someone know where you are walking and at what time you expect to be done. This is another safety issue so that someone can know where to start looking if there are any problems.
Following these simples pieces of advice can help you to enjoy walking and also be careful. Soon those extra unwanted pounds will be melted away.