The Benefits of Walking
As many of you know, I do Crossfit and I love it (a workout program designed to vary your workouts, intensity, and increase all aspects of fitness). I also have developed a skill and passion for running, which Crossfit has inadvertently made me better at. However, what most of you don’t know is how much I love the act of simply walking. Before doing Crossfit and before running, I started my fitness journey a few years ago with simply walking and moving forward one step at a time.
In June 2013, I felt God calling me to seriously commit to taking care of my whole health – physical, mental, spiritual and emotional. I started to go through some old First Place 4 Health materials I had (a Christian holistic health program) and committed to following the Food Pyramid and to exercising consistently. My exercise program started off with walking around the track a few days a week, as well as some light strength training and stretching (pilates and yoga).
I fell in love with walking and stretching in particular because they were honestly, so relaxing and mindless which allowed me to just take the time to breathe, reflect, and even enjoy nature’s tranquility. I personally love to take a walk on the weekend where I listen to some Christian Worship Music, pray and just listen to God. It not only relaxes me, but puts me in a posture of listening and reflection to hear from God and just rest.
In an article by Sally Augustin, PHD of Psychology Today called Go for a Walk , she mentions the following potential mental benefits of walking:
- Your cognitive performance improves – your working memory (important for reasoning and learning) is better when you’re moving than sitting still
- Walking in the day – Keep our circadian rhythms appropriately aligned with the place that we live (reducing stress) as well as improves our mood and general feeling of well-being
- Walking outside – Allows the cognitively exhausted (from a long day of work, tasks, etc.) to be mentally restored and refreshed
The Better Health Channel outlines in a series of articles on walking that there are also possible physical benefits of walking, such as:
- increased cardiovascular and pulmonary (heart and lung) fitness
- reduced risk of heart disease and stroke
- improved management of conditions such as hypertension (high blood pressure), high cholesterol, joint and muscular pain or stiffness, and diabetes
- stronger bones and improved balance
- increased muscle strength and endurance
- reduced body fat
Furthermore, walking is super easy to do! It’s low impact, requires minimal to no equipment (need good shoes though), can be done whenever, and is also a great relationship building activity. I absolutely love to go on walks with my husband, friends, family and just catch up on life while enjoying nature and some activity.
The great thing about walking as well is that it’s a great starting point for physical activity! Do you think that I thought 2 and a half years ago I would ever run a 5k/10k or do Crossfit? DEFINITELY not, but I wouldn’t have been able to do any of that if I didn’t start somewhere, if I didn’t start walking.
My friends, exercise does not have to be as intimidating as we make it out to be. It’s not about being the top athlete with the most defined body. It’s not about being intense with your speed walking and arms to the point it looks like you’re punching someone as you walk. It’s about taking charge of our health and moving the limbs, joints, muscles and BODIES that were meant to move. I challenge you this year to find some physical activity that you enjoy and can be consistent with. If you don’t know where to start, well *cough* start with walking!
There are many great walking plans out there. Here is a great website I found that outlines Beginner Walk plans, Information about Nutrition and Injuries, how to train for a race, etc. If you’re interested in that, check out the website here.
So, put on those sweats, dust off those shoes, and move those feet one at a time.
P.S. If you would like some support in your fitness journey, be sure to grab my 30 Day Fitness Plan that’s FREE in my Healthy Body Resource Library >>HERE<<.
Grab access to my 30 DAY FITNESS PLAN that includes walking workouts! Grab it plus other fitness guides in my FREE Resource Library below!
