Walking is simple, cost and time effective. Walking doesn’t require special equipment or clothing and it’s easily accessible to the average healthy person.
For years experts have been talking about the benefits of walking: Weight loss and maintenance, Heart health, Low-impact and easy on the joints, Lower blood pressure, Improve your mood.
According to an article in USA Today, more research was recently published in the May issue of the American Journal of Preventative Medicine about the benefits of walking as it relates to metabolic syndrome.
What is Metabolic Syndrome?
According to the American Heart Association, metabolic syndrome is:
…Characterized by a group of metabolic risk factors in one person. Commonly known factors include: abdominal obesity, high triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol and high LDL cholesterol, elevated blood pressure, insulin resistance or glucose intolerance (the body can’t properly use insulin or blood sugar).
People with metabolic syndrome are increasingly at risk for heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes.
Don’t be fooled. While many people with excess weight have metabolic syndrome, many people with normal weight may be affected, too.
STUDY FACTS
Took place between 2005-2006
1446 adults, with average age 47.5
Study tracked the number of steps participants took each day, using pedometers, and grouped them in categories “sedentary” (less than 5,000 steps/day), “low-to-somewhat-active” (5,000 to 9,999 steps/day), and “active-to-highly active” (10,000 or more steps/day).
STUDY FINDINGS
The study showed a connection between more walking and improved health (ie, walking is one factor to improving health). According to research study co-author, Peter T. Katzmarzyk, a professor at Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, the findings suggest:
“…you don’t have to be out there running marathons … you just have to incorporate physical activity such as walking into your lifestyle.”
Those who walked the most were least likely to have metabolic risk factors. Read more study findings in the USA Today article.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Recently there’s been a big push and focus on food and obesity. Adding calorie counts on restaurant menus and changing school menus are just the beginning. Knowledge about food is extremely important. And if you really want to live a long, healthy life you need an integrated approach – for body, mind and (dare I say it) spirit. Emotional health, stress levels and exercise are critical components to maintaining weight, general health and costs.
In addition to creating greater awareness about the foods we eat, let’s also put a focus on the type of activity we engage in. Take a walk, ride a bike, do some jumping jacks in your house, cook a meal at home. I have a state run pool 1/2 mile from my house, available at no charge to residents and area towns. Do you know what is available in your area for little or no cost?
Walking is a perfect activity to connect with people, manage your weight and feel more confident in yourself, without spending a lot of time or money. In fact, taking preventative measures for your health might even save you money. That’s feel good living.
How can you incorporate more activity or walking into your regular routine? Do you already?
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I enjoy our walks and conversations at Pond Meadow in Braintree Stacey!
My phone has a step pedometer built in. I take about 6,500 steps a day. That includes jogging with my dog, walking on my breaks, and going for hikes on weekends. I could do a little more. I’m starting to feel a little flabby. I’m going to start incorporating more strength training into my walking routine. I should check to see if there is a swimming pool nearby. I could use the change up.
Hi Stacey .. we got a pedometer as kids years ago – a new gizmo .. but I can’t remember how far we walked .. I supect my mother gardening and working in a 3 acre garden .. probably did a lot more than us – until we got out of our beds and away from our books out into the open air .. where the pedometer wouldn’t stay in place as we cavorted!
Your post is a timely reminder that I must develop a routine for walking .. I keep thinking the better weather is coming! .. it’s now cold and wet again .. still lots of change happening & life will be ‘easier’ soon & I can settle into a routine .. thanks for the info .. Hilary
Stacey,
When my children were all small (under 10) and we lived in the country and we used to walk together as a family. Our road was a mile long, and often they would be crabby or bored when we began and by the time we returned everyone was smiling, laughing and talking.
I think families could work out a lot of issues between siblings and partners by going on long walks. The first five minutes can be silent and a gathering of thoughts, then everyone could express what they are grateful for and finally share what ever else is on their minds.
Magic happens when we do things that are good for us.
Laurie – Me too!
Karl – Strength training will definitely help and also serves as a switch up!
Hilary – That’s one of the best things about walking -it’s readily available when we are ready!
Tess – Brilliant idea. And walking as a family is great quality time, great fitness time, great connections, great everything!
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