I have always heard that walking is the best exercise....but I also thought you must get your heart rate up, as in cardio! So today's topic lets take a look at the facts and then you can determine your own thoughts on the matter. First, we all know that in order to lose fat and pounds, you must burn more calories than you consume! So where do you get the most bang for your buck.
One great way to gauge how far you are walking or how many steps you are taking is to get yourself a good quality pedometer. This will also allow you to keep track of how much walking you’re doing in a day including while you are at work or just walking around the shops. Walking 10,000 steps a day is now widely recommended by exercise experts as a target number for improving your health. You'll typically use between 300 and 400 calories by walking 10,000 steps.
Once you're feeling the benefits of 10,000 steps a day, you're bound to start thinking about other forms of activity. Let's face it the more you move the more you WANT to move. I started on my bike riding (in the living room) riding 10 minutes a day was all I could do in the beginning and now I ride 45 minutes a day and enjoy it! You have to find what you enjoy! I also have a treadmill and I change it up and switch between the two.
Let's get back to the walking vs. cardio concept. By moving your arms, legs, hips, and torso while walking, you begin to breathe heavier, your heart beats faster, and blood flows more freely between your muscles and lungs. Your blood vessels widen to deliver more oxygen to your muscles, and your body begins to release endorphins (natural painkillers that promote a sense of well-being). A 30-minute walk can burn around 150 calories and boost your metabolism at the same time. A faster metabolism helps your body burn calories and absorb nutrients from your food, and will fuel your desire to drink water, which helps with detoxification and digestion.
Walking can be cardio and it's a natural exercise we all do everyday. I understand that not everyone has a mountain in their backyard to climb while walking...but even if you live where it is fairly flat just pick up the pace a bit! Soon you will be walking to a healthier and better you.
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