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In today’s society of
cars, trucks, buses,
scooters and other forms
of transportation,
walking has almost
grown extinct.
Children’s shoes are
even being made with
wheels so that they can
roll instead of walk
anytime they want. Other
forms of exercise have
also taken over, such as
working out at the gym,
cardio workout videos,
sports and weight
lifting. While these
forms of exercise are
very well and good, they
should not outweigh
walking.
Walking has been
around since the
beginning of time – long
before any other form of
exercise! It is the most
natural way that the
body can get into shape,
lose weight and keep
healthy. Many people
think that walking
only exercises a small
part of the body, but
this is not true.
Walking has actually
been proven to be the
most all-around form of
exercise there is!
It requires something
from the whole body,
from the shoulders to
the feet. Walking
causes the arms to
swing, hips and waist to
move, thighs and calves
to tone, and generally
helps the whole body to
get into shape.
Staying in shape is only
one of the benefits
walking can bring to
your body. There are
quite a few others that
will be of some interest
to you. One of these is
the lessening of
depression symptoms.
Getting outside into the
fresh air and walking
for even just 20 minutes
a day can greatly
improve your outlook on
life. Walking also
increases the body’s
flexibility, which
in turn, decreases the
chance of falling. This
is especially important
as your body grows
older, when a fall can
be much more serious.
This simple form of
exercise can also
improve your immune
system, making it harder
to contract disease and
infection. Another
benefit of regular
walking is reduced
anxiety and hypertension
that plague so many
people today. With the
stress of work, family
and life growing on many
people, walking
should be considered as
an important part of the
weekly, if not daily
schedule.
Walking is also
better for the
environment. Motor
vehicle emissions
represent 31% of total
carbon dioxide, 81% of
carbon monoxide, and 49%
of nitrogen released in
the United States alone.
All together, this makes
up for 60% of air
pollution! Although car
companies have made
environment-based
improvements to their
vehicles, there isn’t
much more that they can
do as more people drive
each year. Walking
to and from work can
make a difference in our
slowly deteriorating
environment.
The best and probably
the most relevant reason
to start walking
regularly, is
because it is free!
Walking is one the best
free exercises in
the world today. Think
about it. Thousands of
people per year pay for
gym memberships that
expire without being
used. Some people spend
their money on workout
videos that end up
sitting on a shelf
without ever being
opened. You can walk
wherever and whenever
you choose, without
having to pay for it.
Walking is the most
natural way that the
body can exercise,
so get out there and
walk! Your body will
thank you for it for the
rest of your life.
More tips available
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