When you think of good exercises, you probably don’t think about walking, at least not at first. Instead, you probably think about more intense workouts like sprinting and weightlifting. However, walking is actually great exercise, even if it isn’t particularly intense. And here’s why…
It Helps You Lose Weight
Probably the number one reason why anyone exercises is because they want to lose weight and walking can be a pretty good way to lose weight. In terms of total number of calories burned, a good, long walking session can burn a couple of hundred calories. Now, that isn’t as much as you would burn running or cycling, but a couple of hundred calories in a single session isn’t anything to sneeze at. Plus, it is a great exercise to supplement other, more rigorous exercises.
It Is Easy On Your Body
If you are out of shape, if you are getting on in years, or if you are trying to regain mobility after an injury, then you probably aren’t in a position to start running or lifting weights. Walking is great because it is commonly referred to as “low-impact exercise.” This means that it puts minimal wear-and-tear on your body.
It Lowers Stress Levels
Even though the majority of the arguments in this article are geared towards physical health, never forget that mental health is just as important. Excessive stress can have a very negative impact on your physical health. Thankfully, walking is an amazing way to lower your stress levels, which can, in turn, have a massive positive effect on your physical health.
It Is Easy To Do
So many people avoid doing exercise because it is too difficult and too time-consuming. This is understandable. People are busy, and they don’t necessarily have the time or energy to go for long runs or to go to the gym and run on a treadmill for an hour. However, everyone has the ability to go for a quick walk every day.
It Can Suppress Hunger
Feeling hungry? Feeling a sudden desire to eat some junk food? Well, a quick walk can help you to deal with those cravings. Why exactly? Well, walking helps to take your mind off things, which can help you to suppress those cravings. The physical movement of walking is also helpful for reducing hunger as well.