Virtually all fitness gurus recommend at least 30 minutes of aerobic activity most days of the week. And there is a body of research that demonstrates that you can get the benefits of walking with walks of as short as ten minutes. So take a walk today, right now.
Walking can help you:
- lose weight
- reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and other serious conditions
- lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels
- strengthen and tone your legs and torso
- strengthen your bones
- reduce stress
- think better
- sleep more soundly
- improve your outlook on life
Best of all, walking costs you nothing (well, you might want to invest in some nice walking shoes and some comfortable exercise clothes, but you don’t have to).
So work a walk (or two or three) into your schedule today. Here are a few ideas to help you get started:
- get off the bus a few stops early and walk the last 10 minutes to your office or home
- park about a 10-minute walk away from your office
- walk to the grocery store, coffee shop, etc.
- take a quick 10-minute walk after lunch before returning to your desk
Resources
This Mayo Clinic article, “Walking for fitness”, gives a good overview of the benefits of walking and offers practical advice on how to get started.
This MedicineNet article on walking outlines the top ten benefits of walking and gives tips on fitness walking.
About Today’s Tipster
Seattle massage therapist and daily walker Larry Swanson. Larry’s massage practice is based in the heart of downtown Seattle, where he spends plenty of time walking to the library, the Pike Place Market, the bus stop, and colleagues’ offices.