Walking Fitness
It is a known fact that walking is for every one of all ages. As we age, we tend to slow down on our activities, and our health goes with it. Starting at a young age and making it a part of your daily routine throughout your years will help to maintain your health. Maintaining your health is more comfortable than having to build it back up in later years.
Why Start a Walking Routine?
For anyone that wants to get back into shape, a walking routine is a great way to start, why? Mainly because it is easy to do, requires no special equipment, is easy on your joints and is super effective. Let’s take a closer look.
The biggest issue with any exercise routine is that it is often difficult to perform some of the movements. You may not be able to lift your leg up high enough or climb stairs for any length of time. If you push yourself, you end up feeling sore and then get put off from trying the routine again.
Walking is the perfect solution to getting your joints moving; it also helps improve your cardiovascular system. Plus, it lowers your risk of suffering from a heart attack or stroke and decreases your chances of getting diabetes.
Walking is a good choice for anyone who is dealing with health conditions such as arthritis. Moving regularly can help improve your arthritis, and walking is not hard on your joints.
For anyone who wants to lose weight, there is no better way than to start walking. Walking can help you burn a ton of calories. It is much easier for a person to walk for a longer period than to do another exercise, such as jogging, for the same time length.
To start a new walking routine, the only thing you need is a good pair of walking shoes. If you are just walking for a few minutes a day you should be okay with your older shoes. Just be sure not to wait too long until you purchase a good pair of walking shoes. Get your shoes measured and fitted by a professional; this way you can prevent any foot injuries as you walk.
Remember too when going for a walk that you have to get home again. So if you are planning on a 30 minute walk, walk away from home for 15 minutes and then turn around and head home. As your fitness level increases, you can extend your walk.
It has been shown that walking up even a small hill can help increase your stamina and it burns more calories. If you walk up a hill with a 15% incline you will burn 67% more calories. So try adding a short hill or slope when possible. This is also a great choice for people who can’t run, just starting hill walking to burn more calories and increase your fitness level.
As you can see you don’t really need any expensive equipment to take up walking. You can easily start walking around the block in your neighborhood at first. Maybe you have a park, lake or walking trails nearby.
No matter if you want to walk to lose weight, improve your arthritis, get fit or just to enjoy the outdoors, walking is the best overall exercise for your health.
Benefits from walking
We have many benefits from walking. We can prevent disease by working our muscles, joints, and bones. A walking program included in our lives, walking at least 5 times a week or more, for 30 minutes can keep us healthier.
Getting the full benefits of being physically active will help in many ways. Walking will reduce our chances of heart disease, stroke, colon cancer, and diabetes. It will also help to strengthen the bones, muscles, and joints too that will help keep the pain away. Walking will help to reduce symptoms emerging from stress, which can lead to depression. You can relieve stress by walking to avoid these conditions.
Being fit will reduce hospital stays, doctor appointments, and having to buy all that expensive medication. The key is to start your program to keep in good shape.
Choosing the best time to practice your walking program:
Some people can work in their exercise programs in the early morning easier than others are. They can get up earlier to add this time into their daily schedule. You are apter not to be distracted in the early morning than in the early evening.
Walking in the mornings can cause a problem with some people. Your body temperature is the lowest when waking up. Your joints and muscles are at their stiff’s upon waking up. Early morning walking may not be good for some people. Your body temperature rises in the afternoon so walking late afternoon may be more beneficial to some for burning more calories.
There really isn’t the best time to put your walking program into your schedule. Pick a time best for you and start walking 5 times or more a week.
Exercising as a family:
Exercising is good and benefits the whole family. Grandmas and grandpas can benefit by starting out walking fitness early. Make it a family affair and have fun doing it.
When you have a walking program for the family, it will help to maintain everyone’s health and give your family time together. All families need family time, and this is an excellent way to do it all at one time. Walking, as a family, will give you together time and make it educational as well.
Talk about things like how the day went letting each one talk about their own thing. Discuss what kind of vacation you want to go on this summer. Listen for different bird’s sounds and see who can identify them. Exercising as a family is an opportunity to bring all of you together at the same time every day to just enjoy themselves and one another.
Water Walking:
Walking in the water is a fun activity for the family as well as an individual or group form for socializing. You can walk in the nearest pool or lake which ever is convenient for the time of the year. In the winter, you can continue walking in the heated pool near you. Many hotels have pools now that you can pay monthly just to use the pool. Swimming is a fun exercise all year round.
There is no special equipment for water walking, and you can add in a few aerobic with it to burn more calories. Water walking and aerobics can burn 300-500 calories per hour. When having fun, an hour will go quite fast.
Spring into Walking
Do you know that numerous people decide to take up walking every spring? The sad part is that many people don’t continue with this healthy habit. So what can you do this spring to ensure that you keep walking through all the seasons?
The best way to start a new walking routine is to plan for it. Work out the best time of day to walk, including for how long if you aren’t accustomed to walking or exercising, start small and work up. The worst thing you can do is to walk for 2 hours your first time out. You will end up sore and you probably won’t be motivated to go for another walk!
Spring is the perfect time for walking for a few reasons. If you have just survived a winter, you are just itching to get outside and enjoy the warmer air. Spring weather is another bonus; the air is full of fragrances, birds are coming out of their winter habitats and the temperature is pleasant for walking, it is not too hot and humid yet.
Walking during the summer heat is one of the main reasons that people give up. The sun is just too powerful and humid air can make it difficult to breathe. To combat this you want to plan your walks around the heat and avoid the hottest times of the day. Plan to walk during the early morning or as the sun is setting.
If you have been cooped up all winter, it makes perfect sense to get outside as soon as the weather permits. By spring, hopefully, all of the snow has melted in your area. This makes it easier to walk, the pathways are much drier, and you don’t have to worry about falling on ice.
Of course, the lure of spring should be enough to make you want to walk. Don’t you want to enjoy the buds on the trees, the birds chirping and flowers starting to emerge from the dark ground?
As you start walking in spring, make an effort to walk every day if possible, if not then at least 3 times a week. Then continue with this. If you regularly walk for at least 3 weeks, walking will become a habit, which you don’t want to break.
As the weather gets warmer, dress accordingly, take along a jacket that can be removed if you get too hot. Take lots of water with you so that you stay hydrated and wear sunscreen.
When the temperatures are hot, aim to walk early in the morning, even if this means getting up a little earlier. Why not get up with the sunrise and find a place where you can watch it rise each morning.
Walking is a fantastic way to explore your neighborhood, meet new people, enjoy the fresh air, all while reaping the health benefits. So why not spring into walking this spring and continue all year long?
10,000 Steps a Day
For anyone who is trying to get in shape by walking, it is recommended that you aim to walk 10,000 steps a day. While this sounds like a tremendous amount, if you break it down into smaller chunks, it isn’t. The easiest way to track your steps is by using a pedometer. There are many types available which can clip onto your belt or the waist of your pants.
Using a pedometer to count your steps can be motivating. The great part is no-one even has to know that you are wearing it! Quite often, even a little motivation can produce huge results. If you are lacking in this area, why not invest in one today?
Why do doctors recommend walking 10,000 steps per day? The American Heart Association actually suggests this as the optimum number to help decrease your risks associated with heart attacks.
Walking 10,000 steps is approximately the same as walking 5 miles. Most people do not walk anywhere near this number at all. If you have a sedentary job, you may be lucky to walk 2 or 3 miles each day.
The benefits of walking 10,000 steps per day include:
- Lowering your cholesterol levels
- Lowering your BMI
- Decreasing your waist size
- Increasing your energy levels
- Reducing your risk for Diabetes
- Keeps you mobile and active
Let’s look at how you can get the recommended number of steps in each day. Remember to clip on your pedometer as soon as you get out of bed and wear it until you go to bed at night.
Be aware of the fact that you need to get in 10,000 steps, this way you will be more determined to reach your goal. Now, if you haven’t exercised in a long time work up to this number gradually. A good goal for beginners would be 5,000.
Make an effort to get up at least once an hour during the day and walk around. Park a little further back in the parking lot at work so you can get in more steps walking into work. If you take the bus, catch an earlier one and get off one stop early.
If possible, take the stairs to your office and not the elevator. Walk during your lunch break, even if it is just for 10 minutes, every little bit helps.
When you arrive home at night, walk up and down your stairs a few extra times. Try to walk to your mailbox, instead of stopping on your way home in the car. If you have a dog, offer to be the dog walker. Get up and walk in place during the commercials.
It is not that you have to go out and spend an hour walking. Not everyone has that much time to spare. But, if you consciously make an effort to walk more often during the day, you will be surprised at how those steps add up.
Don’t worry if you don’t reach 10,000 steps right away, any extra moving is going to be beneficial. What counts is that you make every effort to increase the number of steps you walk each day slowly.
Plantar Fasciitis Shoes – Discover How To Select The Right Shoes
Selecting the right size is very important when you are purchasing shoes. An ill-fitting footwear can get you into trouble. Plantar Fasciitis is a common phenomenon seen with people who wear badly fitting shoes. It is caused due to small tears formed at the heel bone. This is commonly seen in athletes and sportspeople. It causes pain and discomfort while walking, running, or any other movements involving your foot. Wearing appropriate shoes can prevent this ailment.
There are different ways to treat Plantar Fasciitis. The treatment varies with the severity of the problem. Many cases end up with surgery to enable free muscular movement. However, surgery is not recommended, as there are many complications involved. Oral medication or physical therapy can be a good choice to reduce risks. You need to do regular exercises as advised by your doctor. Using Plantar Fasciitis shoes is another solution to reduce pain and prevent the growth of this disease.
Plantar Fasciitis shoes have become very popular in recent times. These shoes are commonly found everywhere. They are available in different models specifically designed for walking, running, and other movements. Plantar fasciitis walking shoes are flat and have support in the heel area. The shoe allows the foot to move correctly and provides support to the arches. When purchasing shoes make sure that you are comfortable walking and that you can easily bend up and down while wearing them.
Plantar Fasciitis shoes are specially designed to provide cushioning to your arches. While walking, the entire weight of your body falls on your feet. Besides, gravitational forces and speed act on your foot. Therefore, you need to make sure that there is extra padding for your feet. This will minimize the pressure on your feet. With so many people suffering from Plantar Fasciitis, shoes are now available in great-looking styles; no-one will know you are wearing a specialty shoe.
It is possible to customize your shoes to suit your style and comfort. Depending on your foot size and shape, you can order shoes. You need to be patient and choose the right shoe while shopping. If you are confused about what the right shoe is for you, you can contact a plantar fasciitis consultant. The consultant will measure and examine your feet and suggest the best brand for you.
Your feet are precious, and spending money on shoes designed to relieve the pain of Plantar Fasciitis must surely outweigh the costs.
New Balance Walking Shoes for Men and Women
The best way to start any new walking routine is on the right foot, and this means purchasing a good pair of walking shoes. Wearing the correct size and type of shoe will make a massive difference in your walk. Your legs and back will not ache, and your feet will be comfortable.
A good brand of walking shoes are those manufactured by New Balance. The New Balance Men’s MW577 Walking Shoe is a very popular model and can be purchased from the Amazon website.
These New Balance walking shoes for men are made from leather with a synthetic sole. They are assembled in the USA and actually, New Balance is one of the very few remaining manufacturers of shoes that are made in the USA still.
The upper portion of the shoe is slightly perforated which adds breathability so your feet don’t get sweaty. They have used their ABZORB technology in the heel for added protection from shock as you walk.
For women, you should check out the New Balance Women’s WW665 Fitness Walking Shoe. This is another top selling model which is manufactured in pink and grey to help support the Lace Up for the Cure Collection to Susan G. Komen. This helps to fund cancer research and treatment, and New Balance will donate 5% of the retail sales price on your purchase. What a great way to get some fantastic looking shoes and help a wonderful cause at the same time.
This women’s walking shoe has lots of mesh, which allows the shoe to be breathable while still be very comfortable. The rubber soles are nonmarking and will provide you with additional comfort during your walks. These shoes look sporty yet feminine at the same time.
The insoles are padded and removable and these shoes also have the ABZORB technology incorporated into them.
New Balance has many different styles and colors of walking shoes available for both men and women. Take a look at the choice you have available on Amazon by visiting the following link:
Here’s a couple of comments we found from happy customers. Reading comments is a great way to be sure you are buying a good product.
This is a very comfortable shoe. Lightweight, but most importantly (for me, anyway), they are extremely breathable. The mesh is so breathable that I can feel air on my feet when I go outside.
Bought this shoe because I walk 3 miles, then stand on my feet for 8 hours at work and this shoe claimed to have the support I needed. It’s good for the first couple hours, but by the end of the day, my feet are sore. I switched to a sport insole and that helped. The shoe fits incredibly well, and the natural strike path for walking is really great, but for standing, I wouldn’t suggest this shoe. I love new balance brand shoes, so I will try a different type of walking shoe next time.
As you can see from these comments it is important to buy the right shoe for the correct purpose. If you are walking lots of miles then a good walking shoe is essential, runners want to purchase the proper running shoe. If you are doing aerobics, then a shoe for that purpose is going to be your best choice.
A good walking shoe will last you a long time and if you have a foot issue you may want to choose an insole that will add more comfort for you.
