6 Reasons Why You Need to Spend More Time Walking

6 Reasons Why You Need to Spend More Time Walking : Believe it or not, just 23 percent of Americans get enough exercise to help them stay healthy. That leaves 77 percent of the population not getting enough exercise each day which increases their risk of disease, weight gain, and ongoing health issues.

But with so much on your plate, finding time to get your sweat on just isn’t practical. So, what can you do?

Going for a walk is one of the best ways to get yourself back in shape and it works without disrupting your daily schedule. Here are a few reasons you need to incorporate regular walks into your daily life.

It Can Help You Lose Weight

To lose weight, you need to watch how many calories you consume versus how many you’re burning each day. The more you exercise, the more calories you burn, making it easier to shed those unwanted pounds.

Any type of walking, whether you’re going for a leisurely stroll or speed-walking, burns calories. When done regularly, you’ll likely see a change on the scale and may even find it easier to keep the weight off in the long-run.

Keep in mind that walking doesn’t always burn tons of calories quickly. You’ll need to be mindful about your walking workouts to really maximize that calorie burn.

If weight loss is your goal, try walking faster. Push yourself for a quarter mile or walk as fast as you can for a few minutes at a time before taking a breather. But no matter what you do, just get out there and walk.

Remember, any amount of walking will burn at least a few calories. The more you do it, the better off you’ll be.
It’s Easy to Fit Into Your Schedule

Many people find it tough to squeeze a dedicated workout into an already packed schedule. You may not have time to head to the gym, change into workout clothes, and jump in the shower after you get your sweat on before rushing to work in the morning.

But not all workouts and exercise have to get you drenched in sweat in order to be effective. Sometimes, you just need to get moving.

Going for a walk is something you can fit in on your lunch break or during slower periods at work. Remember, any movement is better than none. Just taking the long way to the bathroom at work or parking far away from the entrance is a great way to increase your total steps every day.

These tasks don’t have to completely disrupt your schedule, either. Fit them in when you can and don’t worry about pushing yourself until you feel exhausted. You’re still exercising and that counts!
Walking May Improve Your Immune System

Believe it or not, people who exercise typically get sick less often. This is because their bodies are in better shape and thus better able to combat germs and viruses every day.

Yes, even walking regularly can boost your immune system and help you fend off those colds and sniffles your coworkers and friends come down with on the regular.

Even if you do get sick, taking a short walk can actually help you clear things out faster. Just avoid pushing yourself too hard. If you overdo things, you could exhaust yourself and end up hurting your immune system at the same time.
It’ll Keep Your Joints and Muscles Loose

Your muscles can stiffen up when you’re not moving them regularly. If you work a sedentary job at a desk, your muscles can get even tighter, putting strain on your joints and making it hard to work up the energy to go for a walk in the first place.

But walking is one of the best ways to keep those joints and muscles loose and moving the way they’re supposed to. The more you move, the more blood flow your muscles get. This, in turn, helps them stay limber and reduces common joint aches and lower back pain so many people suffer from.

Even just 30 minutes can make a huge difference and you can improve the results even more by stretching after your walk.
Walks Reduce Stress Quickly

About 44 percent of American adults feel that they’re under increased stress every day. Those increased stress levels can make it hard to focus on work and get through the day without feeling overwhelmed.

The easiest way to decompress and de-stress when things get to be too intense is to go for a walk. If you can, take a walk outside in the sun and get some fresh air away from the things that are causing your stress. If the weather’s not great, find a treadmill or a long hallway and get some steps in.

When you get moving, focus on your steps and your breath and let your mind relax. Often, you’ll end up feeling better after a few minutes and will be better able to find solutions to what’s causing that stress in the first place.
Going for a Walk Is Free

Joining a gym is a great way to change up your exercise routine and figure out different things you can do to get in shape. But those gym memberships can get expensive and most end up locking you into a year-long contract where you pay even if you’re not using the equipment every week.

Going for a walk costs absolutely nothing but your time. You can go for strolls around your neighborhood, walk outside your office at lunch, or head to a nearby park. All you’ll end up paying for is the shoes you wear.

Slip On Some Shoes and Go Outside!

Going for a walk is a great way to start exercising. You don’t have to be in great shape already. You just have to put on a pair of shoes, head outside, and start moving.

After a few walks, you’ll likely see these benefits for yourself!

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