No one loses weight lying on couch. If you want to get in shape, get on your feet and move. This has been the call of health advisors and fitness instructors to their clients. Only a few might give heed instantly to that invitation as they might find exercising and working out a difficult task, but not anymore. Though running and other hardcore work outs are proven effective in toning muscles, walking, a less strenuous activity is also beneficial in losing weight and becoming physically fit.
U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy extended an invitation to all Americans, A Call to Action. Step It Up! The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Promote Walking and Walkable Communities, identifies the importance of physical activity for everyone, regardless of age and ability. It aims to encourage all Americans to be more involved in physical activities through walking and summons the nation to better support walking and walkability. The Call to Action is intended to increase walking across the United States which leads to greater access to convenient places to walk and wheelchair roll.
In Murthy's Call to Action, he identified several reasons why to focus on walking as a public health strategy. Murthy stated that walking, compared to other exercises does not require special skills, facilities nor expensive equipment to begin a healthy lifestyle.
Anna Almendrala, Healthy Living Senior Editor of Huffington Post enumerated several reasons why everyone should try walking as an exercise move. One of the reasons that Almendrala stated is that everyone should consider the proven health benefits. This includes, weight loss, lowering blood sugar levels and cardiovascular strength. The University of Cambridge conducted a 2015 study which proved that a brisk 20-minute walk every day can lower the rate of early death by sixteen to thirty percent.
In 2007, Researches from Japan discovered a simple short distance walking resulted to increase strength of thigh for adults and can and lower resting blood pressure. One health benefit for women includes prevention of gestational diabetes -- a condition in which pregnant women have high blood glucose level during pregnancy.
Another reason to give walking a try is that since walking is easier than other exercises, people more likely make this habit lasts in the long run. The American Heart Association stated "you're more likely to stick to walking than any other exercise. Walking is something that most people know how to do. It is free, simple and sustainable, even for people who are older, overweight or new to exercise." Hence, the more people continue walking today and make it as a hobby, the longer they get to that habit and receive the health benefits coming from it.
Standford University shows that walking helps in boosting the creativity of a human mind. Research also states how walking around nature decreases negativity and changes one's mood. Being physically active is a common way to unleash endorphins, a set of positive chemicals that reduce pain receptors in the brain and produce feelings of happiness and euphoria. Switching to walking as a form of exercise can not only give limitless health benefits but could also bring the positive energy in each person.
