"You should be taking 100 steps each minute for half an hour a day if you want to achieve "moderate" exercise by walking, a study shows."
The BBC News website reports (see the reference) on a study that extols the health benefits of moderate exercise and defines moderate exercise in terms of walking.
I expect that most of us have experienced feelings of exhilaration and well-being after exercise, and know how walking is an especially enjoyable exercise, without need of special equipment or gym - an exercise that can be taken alone or with companions. The benefits are both physical and psychological. A few minutes Googling will show you a multitude of good that come from regular exercise and in particular from walking. Apart from lowering risks of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, cancer, etc. we keep our bones and muscles stronger and - well I'm sure you can think of dozens more benefits from walking and other moderate exercise without my help...(o: - MIND, a respected mental health charity in Britain, even recommends 'a walk in the country' as one of the best treatments for depression! See (1)
One claim often made for exercise may not be correct, however, even though it is very widely believed and confidently stated as fact. Exercise may have no effect in preventing obesity, at any rate child obesity, according to research done at Glasgow University. See (2)
How about going for a walk today!
Written by Margaret Wilde
Margaret is the author of www.wildeaboutsteroids.co.uk
References
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7950003.stm
(1) http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1551519/A-walk-in-the-country-may-beat-depression.html
(2) http://news.netdoctor.co.uk/news_detail.php?id=17749858
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Comments
#1 Yes, walking has lots of health benefits!
Walking is one of the best cardio-vascular exercises you can do, plus it's a great stress management activity too.
For a simple description of the different types of exercise and how they benefit you, see this article http://www.improving-health-and-energy.com/types-of-exercise.html.
And find out why taking a walk can alleviate stress and re-energize you http://www.improving-health-and-energy.com/stress-affect-lifestyle.html.
Start at a level and pace that's comfortable and enjoyable. Your body will respond positively, just be gentle and consistent and keep working for longer walks and/or faster pace. Try it for a couple of weeks with the idea that you are going to enjoy the time getting out and pampering yourself!
Cheers,
B.B. Martin