Don’t have time for the gym? Or simply don’t find it appealing? Then, going it alone can be a difficult path to take. It is all too easy to buy a set of home gym equipment and promptly forget about it in the depths of your spare bedroom. It doesn’t have to be this way!
Instead, go for the easy and low-cost option of walking yourself fit. Not only can you effectively lose weight with this form of exercise, but it can also be extremely scenic and increase your vitamin D intake at the same time. It may seem like an impossible task, after all, you walk every day. But, a more focused and determined walking regime can be just as effective as a gym membership when done right.
The Health Benefits
Walking for at least thirty to sixty minutes a day can burn fat and build muscle. But, it can also reduce risks of heart disease, breast cancer, diabetes, stroke and even promote healthier muscles around your joints. It may seem like a simple addition to your life, but it can make all the difference to your life.
There are also a number of mental health benefits that can be found as a result of walking yourself fit. You can improve your self-esteem, reduce stress and anxiety through walking every day. This is a result of the release of endorphins as you walk - as they are when exercising in any capacity - which helps to produce a feeling of wellbeing. Being outdoors at least once a day helps to improve your wellbeing in the long term.
Starting Out Fashionably
First and foremost, you need to dedicate yourself to a set time and amount of effort you want to put into walking. It’s easy to think you don’t know how to start when seeking fitness, but simply putting the time to do so is the best first step!
In terms of gym gear, there are a few items that are a necessity. Buy a comfy set of gym joggers for a comfortable experience, especially if you are determined to start walking long distances! Jeans can be uncomfortable to walk in for long periods of times and so should be avoided. When it comes to buying your top, ensure you buy breathable materials that will not collect sweat as you walk. Ankle supporting trainers are also a must to avoid unnecessary injuries if you were to slip or fall.
A good tip for starting out is to also add walking into your day to day routine. Ride the bus or drive to work, then why not try to walk instead? Or simply take the stairs instead of the elevator some days. There are plenty of simple ways that you can add walking into your day to day and thus reap the rewards!
Walking Lunch
How many of us work in an office, sitting down all day, only to do the same during lunchtime? Not only can this be draining mentally - after all, you need a break from the office at some point - but it can also be bad for your health. Heart disease and bad cholesterol are the biggest risks for office worker at any given time, so walking during lunch is vital to help combat these issues.
Poor circulation can occur from sitting down all day without reprise, which in turn can lower your energy levels and lead to fatigue. A brisk walk over your lunch break can act to increase the oxygen flow around your body and help you to re-energize for the afternoon. Likewise, increased oxygen can also give you benefits such as healthier looking skin! So, you could look great whilst also feeling great.
Best of all, walking can make you feel hungrier when you first start out as your body will be adapting to the increased workouts. So, doing this exercise over lunch is ideal as you can get fitter and stave off the hunger by enjoying your lunch on the go!
Those that walk at lunchtime are also much less prone to taking sick days. Largely as a result of walking actually boosting your immune system
Planning Routes
Walking yourself fit can not only be good for your health, but it can also be a great way for you to explore the world around you. Nature, history and even other people can be found on your walks - sights and experiences you would never see if not for walking! As you grow more experienced and walk for longer, you can plan your routes around what you most want to see.
Nature reserves and other points of interest are never too far away, so it can be a simple case of using Google Maps to find what you want and head out! The estimated time feature found here can also help you to determine how fast (or indeed slow) you are walking in comparison to the average, allowing you to track your progress.
At first, you should look to plan routes that are not overly long or exhausting. Thirty minutes to and from your destination can be a perfect weekend warm up to begin your path to fitness. Each week this can increase a further fifteen minutes, or more if you feel you are improving fast.
Companionship
For those that lack motivation, walking can be the perfect group activity. Not only will walking with a friend or group of friends be fun but doing so can motivate you to go much further than you might on your own and even make a day of it.
If, however, your schedules with friends don’t align then you can choose a much furrier companion. Most people consider walking the dog their main form of exercise. It is an activity you must complete every day - for the health of your dog - so why not make it healthier for yourself also? Walking further, for longer or even a more difficult route than simply to the local dog park can see a great increase in your health. And no doubt your four-legged friend will be pleased to spend more time on their walkies!
The best part about companionship on your walks is that it can be much more fun than simply working doggedly at the gym.
At the end of the day, there are a number of great ways that you can motivate yourself to get fit by walking more in your day to day life. It is a simple addition, but one that can have a massive impact on both your health and overall fitness.
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