How Much Aerobic Exercise is Enough?
Are there drawbacks to doing too much cardiovascular exercise?
Walking is a great way to get in shape without breaking the bank (it's free and you do it everyday). But there are other benefits to this exercise that you may not have realize. Here's some fun facts to encourage you to lace up your walking shoes.
Whether you stroll, saunter, amble or stride, walking is good for you. In his book, The Lost Art of Walking, Geoff Nicholson extols the virtues of walking, and delves into how and why we walk. Besides providing physical, psychological and social benefits, this simple, free activity can transform your life, he suggests. Here’s how:
From a health perspective, walking is the key to managing weight, controlling blood pressure, and reducing the risk of a stroke, breast cancer, diabetes and myriad other ailments. A brisk daily walk lengthens your life, decreases the risk of depression and elevates your mood and sense of wellbeing. According to Harvard teaching hospital Beth Israel Medical Centre, walking lowers total cholesterol and increases high-density lipoproteins (HDL) or the “good cholesterol”.
From a psychological viewpoint, walking offers an opportunity to clarify thoughts, to solve problems and to reduce stress. If you establish a rhythm that is relaxing and peaceful, walking can also become a form of meditation.
Walking regularly with someone else enables a friendship to blossom as the pair of you exercise. You can also schedule regular walk “dates” with your spouse or partner and use the time to discuss issues without distractions.
Also, the best way to explore some of the world’s great cities – such as New York, London, Paris and Rome – is on foot. Walking stimulates the senses and enables you to enjoy a rich engagement with life around you. According to Nicholson, the poet William Wordsworth circumnavigated the world seven times during his lifetime. Wordsworth reputedly delighted in the simple truth that “going for a walk is an invitation for surprise”.
Here are some tips to get going:
Get more tips on building your healthy lifestyle when you sign up for our weekly newsletters.
Looking for more great advice? Sign up to our newsletter for more useful tips, delivered straight to your inbox.
Are there drawbacks to doing too much cardiovascular exercise?
0 comments
Follow our Get Fit for Summer Guide for all the fitness tips, tricks and techniques you need to get back in shape for bathing suit season.
0 comments
Looking to shape your arms but can’t find the time? Try sneaking these simple exercises into your daily routine and you’ll have the muscle you want sooner than you think.
0 comments
Find out how you can increase the effectiveness of your stretching routine with these tips.
0 comments
Most of us spend half of our waking weekday hours cooped up inside – or at least know someone who does. What’s more, after clocking out from work, some people find themselves rushing home to continue their at-home “to-do” lists, finding little time for a real breather. Here are six ways to sneak some fresh air into your every day routine without breaking the bank or your schedule.
0 comments
Advertisement
Travel worry-free anytime with exceptional and affordable travel insurance offered through Reader’s Digest
For Offers based on your interests and location, check out CentrSource
Enter today for a chance to win a top-of-the-line BBQ grill from Weber!
What's your favorite healthy packed lunch and why?
Advertisement

Post a comment