The Positive Effects of Walking

No matter what people think, humans are not meant to sit around doing nothing all day. Our bodies are designed to move. We should be grateful having functioning bodies that can do just about anything you want, and if you are a relatively healthy person, it's time to take advantage of this. Time to start moving some more!

One of my favourite activities is walking. You can walk anywhere you want at any time. As long as you have feet, you can just put on a pair of shoes and go for a walk. It's such a simple and effective way to get some exercise.

Here are some great facts about walking for everyone to benefit from:

• If you have sore joints, going for a walk will lubricate those stiff joints and make your body feel a lot better.
• Your body will burn around five calories per minute instead of one calorie per minute of sitting around.
• You will feel happier because your body will release endorphins into your brain. These endorphins will make your day that much better, and if you were in a bad mood, whatever your problem was, you may not seem so bad after.
• As more fat is burned, insulin will drop. This is great news for anyone needing to lose excess weight.
• A 30 minute walk everyday strengthens your heart and reduces your risk of heart disease and stroke.
• Get definition in calves, quadriceps, and hamstrings while lifting your glutes with a good, regular walk. Add hill walking into the mix for even more effective glute lifting action.
• We all need to get outside more. Many people are Vitamin D deficient, affecting important things like bone health and our immune systems. Walking is the perfect way to enjoy the outdoors while getting your Vitamin D fix.

So what are you waiting for? Time to enjoy the warm Okanagan fall weather and get your body moving!

Angelique Kronebusch Fitness