Walk (or Run): How You Can Improve Your Health.
IS WALKING AMONG THE most underrated form of exercise? We read so much about running, arguably the poster child for aerobic exercise. With some precautions and preparation, running can be an excellent approach to fitness and health. But what about moderate exercise, say in the form of walking? I think it should be a gold standard for moderate exercise.
As we think about how physical activity gives us benefits, I focus on three essential elements: the exercise duration, intensity, and frequency. Walking is less intensive than running, but so we walkers may wish to extend our ambulation period. We often think of physical activity as vigorous, but anything that gets you moving counts.
The 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americansoffer that adults need to do two types of activity weekly to improve their health–aerobic activity and muscle strengthening. While 150 minutes of weekly activity sounds daunting, it appears more doable when we think of it as 30 minutes daily for five days per week. I ask my reluctant patients to break the activity into smaller pieces throughout the day, with a minimum ten-minute length for the activity.
Charles Dickens said it well: “The sum of the whole is this: walk and be happy; walk and be healthy. The best way to lengthen out our days is to walk steadily and with a purpose.”
Walk (or Run): How You Can Improve Your Health – Please go here to learn more:
