Almost everyone I know enjoys walking. I mean, what's to not like about it? It's very easy to do, it's free (how many things can you actually say that about?), and it's great for the body. Simply put, walking is good for you. It's good for everyone. It's a great aerobic exercise and is even good for people that have recently had surgery.
Years ago, patients were recommended to have weeks of bed rest after surgery. Today, however, doctors recommend that patients get up and start walking a day or two after surgery and walk daily for a faster recovery. Walking helps to reduce your chance of blood clots, helps to keep the heart pumping and also helps you to have less body fat, making it excellent as part of your weight loss program. We always hear some of the most common benefits of walking but aren't always aware of just how great walking is for us.
Walking gives us better circulation
Walking will provide your body with much better circulation by increasing your heart rate, strengthening your heart, lowering your blood pressure and preventing heart disease in general. Women walking two miles a day can lower their blood pressure by 11 points over a period of six months. A 30 minute daily walk can also reduce women's risk of stroke by 20 percent.
Walking helps our bones and joints
Walking helps make the bones and joints stronger and less likely to become fractured. Postmenopausal women will reduce their risk of hip fractures by 40 percent by walking just 30 minutes each day. In addition to supporting our joints, walking also tones up the supporting muscles, particularly the abdominal, leg and arm muscles. Patients with osteoporosis will have less bone mass loss when walking is part of their daily routine. This is because walking helps to provide our joint cartilages with oxygen and other important nutrients by keeping them supplied with the fluids they need to keep moving. Another important factor resulting from this is the reduction of arthritic pain.
Walking will prolong your life
There's just no two ways about it. Walking is great for every part of your body. By adding walking to your daily routine, to your weight loss program or to your exercise regime, you'll be adding years to your life. Where else can you find a free activity that can add years to your life and still be so much fun?
