What’s one thing you can do to most improve your health? I guess I should write a book about this and make millions, instead of offering this up for free on my blog. But I love you, my faithful readers, so here goes. (Now, remember, I’m not a medical professional or a certified trainer – yet! – but I am speaking from experience here.)
Go for a walk. I truly believe it’s as simple as that. Walking is incredibly good for your health. The harder and faster you walk, the more benefits you’ll receive, but even if you just take a stroll after dinner, you’re going to get your blood moving, improve your lung function, and strengthen your bones. Even if you never lose a pound, you’ll still receive all these benefits. Walking is something almost all of us can do, and it’s a great way to start your journey to better fitness. It’s where I started years ago, with a slow walk around the neighborhood, and today I’m training for my 10th half marathon as a walker.
Walking is cheap! No expensive gym memberships or equipment required. You really only need two things: a safe place to walk and a good pair of shoes. Let’s start with the shoes. Even if you’re only going to walk every now and then, I can’t stress enough the benefit of getting properly fitted for a pair of shoes. Don’t head over to the mall, though. You want to be fitted by an expert at a running/walking specialty shop. You won’t believe the difference the right pair of shoes can make. And when your feet feel good, you’ll be more likely to keep up with a walking routine.
Now, about that safe place to walk. The best part of walking is you can do it pretty much anywhere: the beach, Main Street, a park path, the sidewalk – even your driveway! Just remember to stay aware of your surroundings and to obey all traffic laws. It’s a good idea to carry a cell phone and to have identification somewhere on your person, just in case something happens. If you’re going to be out there for awhile, you should also consider bringing along some water to keep yourself properly hydrated.
Of course there are those among us who, for whatever reason, cannot walk. But if you have mobility, I truly believe you have the ability to get fitter than you are right now, simply by lacing up your sneakers and heading out the door. If distance intimidates you, start small. Walk to the end of your driveway. Tomorrow or next week, walk around the block. Then keep going! If distance isn’t your thing, try time: Walk 5 minutes today, then 10, then 15, and so on. I don’t think it will take long for you to get hooked.
You might find that you like moving really fast, and walking will naturally lead you to running. Good for you! I’ll be in the back of the pack, cheering you on. I have tremendous respect for people who run, because I can’t do it. I have an arthritic knee and bad ankles. Even more, I simply don’t like running. But I love to walk, so that’s what I do. If you do become (or already are) a runner, please remember that walkers are athletes too, and we deserve the same respect as everyone moving faster than us out on the road.
I’ve been walking long distances for about six years now. It’s my absolute favorite form of exercise. You wouldn’t believe the amount of thinking you can get done when you’re out pounding the pavement for two or three hours! (Conversely, you can just crank up the tunes and clear your mind completely.) While I generally walk as fast as I can, sometimes I dream about taking it a little easier, to see how far I can go. The longest distance I’ve ever walked is 13.1 miles. Could I double that? More? As long as there is a path beneath my feet, nothing is stopping me from finding out.
Probably my favorite thing about walking? It’s something that I can see myself doing for the rest of my life. Eventually I’ll probably lose my ability to do high-impact aerobic activity, to swing the kettlebell as hard, to lift the heavy weights. But when I’m retired, living next to the ocean in Maine, I will hopefully still be able to start every day with a long walk on the beach. Want to join me?
