Walking Your Way to Better Health

In today's crazy, helter skelter world, walking your way to better health may be the best option and it certainly can produce the desired results. It can be difficult to find the time to get to the gym and, even if you do have a couple extra hours to commit to a workout, it can be a very expensive endeavor. Much of the time you find yourself stressed and frustrated at trying to fit that exercise session into your hectic day and coming up with the extra cash to continue when your membership expires.

It is much more feasible to implement a walking program into your busy day. This doesn't necessarily mean a fast paced stroll through the park or along the boardwalk, although this is a good plan. You can actually utilize your time by consciously focusing on how much you walk throughout the day and keeping track of it. First of all, it will help to focus your mind on something productive as well as give you a satisfied feeling that you have accomplished a very good workout while getting all the errands done. It will also lower your stress level as you accustom yourself to adding daily exercise through walking instead of worrying about how you're going to get to the gym for aerobics or the treadmill.

Studies reveal that it is just as effective to work out for short periods throughout the day as it is to commit to one long session. The average person will take between 6,000 and 7,000 steps a day. Experts stress that adding an additional 2,000 steps a day can reduce one's weight and build a stronger heart and greater endurance. Walking 10,000 steps a day is considered to be an active, healthy lifestyle. So how do you know how many steps you are taking in a day?

Implementing a pedometer into your everyday lifestyle can greatly assist you in walking your way to a healthier, happier state of being. For the first week of usage, jot down on a calendar the number of steps you take each day. At the end of the week, take an average and increase your steps by 10% to 15% a day the following week. Start walking toward a target of 2,000 additional steps a day. Once you reach that target, move toward the goal of 10,000 steps per day.

How can you do this? There are many opportunities each and every day to extend your walking distance. Park in the back forty of the shopping center or grocery store, take the stairs instead of the elevator, walk down and visit your neighbor instead of calling, etc. In a short time you will be fit as a fiddle.