Walking and Health

"I have two doctors, my left leg, and mytaking part in regular physical exercise, like walking, is
right."George Trevelyan, 1913.associated with reducing the rate of mortality in both
Any form of exercise is going to be good for you.older and younger adults. You heard that right,
Any activity that can raise the heart rate and makeWALKERS LIVE LONGER!
you perspire is doing you some sort of good."People say that losing weight is no walk in the park.
However, some of the more rigorous exercises mayWhen I hear that I think, yeah, that's the problem."
be beyond you. You may be too old; you may haveChris Adams
some form of condition which won't allow anythingWalking is a marvellous aerobic workout. It is similar
too boisterous.to running, but with less wear and tear on your
Of course, there's always walking. It's probably themuscles and joints.
one form of exercise which just about everybodyWalking will help you expend calories and burn the
can do.body's fat. You will increase your body tone within a
If you're in doubt about the benefits of walking, let'sfew weeks.
look at some of the strong scientific eveidence thatThe secret though is brisk walking, or at least a pace
proves it is one of the best ways to keep yourselfthat you sustain for a prolonged period. Try a
healthy and alive to the world around you.ten-minute spurt and slowly increase the length of
Studies by the US Department of Health in the midtime up to about thirty minutes a day.
nineties and the British Heart Foundation in 2000"A vigorous five-mile walk will do more good for an
came up with the following benefits that can beunhappy but otherwise healthy adult than all the
gained from walking:medicine and psychology in the world." Paul Dudley
- Reduce the risk of coronary heart disease andWhite
stroke- When you walk, you begin to improve your mental
- Lower blood pressurehealth.
- Reduce high cholesterol and improve blood lipid- Walking brings on relaxed states of mind. .
profile- You can improve your self-esteem. .
- Reduce body fat- You can relieve the symptoms of anxiety and even
- Enhance mental well beingdepression. .
- Reduce the risk of cancer of the colon- Walking out in the countryside can offer you great
- Reduce the risk of non insulin dependant diabetesopportunities to relax and feel calm. .
- Help to control body weightFinally, gentle bouts of walking can help you recover
- Help flexibility and co-ordination hence reducing thefrom illness too. Walking is a simple and effective
risk of fallsguide back into well-being. Speak to your doctor
Whether you want to walk to improve your generalabout what you can do to recuperate, he or she will
health, to keep fit, to control your weight, or perhapsagree.
to recover from a period of ill-health, walking canGo on, leave the car at home today and take a
help.walk; it's good for you!
The US Department of Health in 1996 said that