Benefits of Walking
It Will Help Keep You Young

I have been a walker for years and the benefits of walking are much greater than you would think. I originally started because of peripheral vascular disease and after many years I walk as much for enjoyment as for health reasons. Walking has got to be the easiest exercise to start and maintain. It does not have a learning curve for most of us walk as a matter of course throughout the day. Walking is also a very inexpensive exercise program. A good pair of shoes, which you can use for other things, is all you need.

I personally find that walking outdoors even in winter is great deal more enjoyable and I think it gives more benefits like cleaner air. A most important benefit is psychological. Walking outside clears your mind and the energy provided by all the living things along your path just makes you feel better and happier. Outside is where you get the feeling of well being and when the endorphins kick in you feel even better.
Walking as an exercise should be done for 30 minutes or more without stopping to be effective. The faster you walk the more benefits from an aerobic stand point are realized. From personal experience I can tell you if you have any sort of vascular disease and hour long walk every day will give you fantastic benefits for your system.

If you have a circulation problem or heart disease start with just a few minute walk. If you walk for a few minutes and get severe leg pain that goes away when you stop you might have intermittent claudication (see a doctor right away if you haven’t already). If you are short of breath in just a minute or two see your doctor this is a heart attack symptom. Otherwise walk as far as you can and then work up to 30 minutes or more. Walking 30 to 40 minutes a day three days a week has been shown to reduce risk for heart disease. Here is a program I use. It takes only 12 minutes a day and strengthens both heart and lung power.

When you walk you burn calories which will give you a leg up on weight control. Walking also increase circulation and dilates blood vessels increasing blood flow. People who walk a lot have less heart disease. If you do have heart disease increased walking will help you improve the way your body reacts to the disease.
Other benefits are less stress. Walking increase endorphins and more endorphins reduce stress. If you walk a lot you will sleep better. A 30 minute walk in the hours before bed will get you to sleep faster. Walking actually strengthens bones, muscles, joints and tendons.

The benefits of walking are many. Bottom line, if you want to stay young at heart and enjoy long term good health you must exercise. Walking is the easiest and most rewarding exercise I have found. Coupled with good nutrition it will give you high energy and the great feeling of well being.

Benefits of Walking To Reasons To Exercise