We have all heard it. The people who raves about running. Or the exercise plans that ask you to jump around and do all kind of crazy stuff. As someone who got two bad knees and now a ruined ankle, none of this is an option. And while doing sit ups and push ups are all good, adding some kind of cardio is so good for your body. So, today I’m gonna talk about walking and what 30 min of good paced walking can do for you.
Now, lets start with the most obvious. Walking is probably the most easy exercise to start doing for most people. It doesn’t require special clothes, shoes or equipment. You can do it where ever, and when ever. All you need is a pair of flat shoes, and clothes fitting the weather. It can be done in cities, in the country, and no matter where you are in the world.
Another good point to make is that walking isn’t hard on your joints, like running can be. I’m not saying that starting to walk for exercise can’t make you feel sore and in the worst case scenario it can give you trouble with your joints like any kind of exercise, but you’re a lot less likely to get knee or ankle damage from walking than running. If you have pre-existing problems like me, walking can even be super good for you as it helps strengthen the muscles which helps stabilize your joints.
Walking daily can also help improve your sleep. Tests have shown that increasing your step count by just 2000 a day can help your quality of sleep improve. There’s a lot of theories on why this is, but the consensus I’ve read is that walking helps reduce stress, helps blood circulation, and lower your blood pressure.
Another great thing about walking is that 30 min a day can help you lose weight. It improves digestion, helps regulate your blood sugar (and thus can help curb cravings) and of course burns of calories. A brisk walk can burn around 150 calories. That might not sound like a lot, but in a week that amounts to 1050 calories or around 130 grams of fat. (and lets be honest. If you take 130 grams of butter, that’s a lot)
And lastly, walking gets you outside. It gives you fresh air, let you enjoy the weather, get some sun, and can lead you down new streets. If you have a walking partner it can be even more fun, and if you invest in a walking app for your phone or a gadget, you can compete with yourself to improve and take more steps.
I hope this have inspired you to start walking more.
(Ps: I’ve gotten my Fitbit working again so if anyone have a Fitbit and wanna be friends you can find me on teaspangsberg@outlook.com)
I love this! I hate any type of cardio but walking I can do 😂 It really does make you feel so good after a walk, whatever the weather xx
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Walking is great 🙂 And yes, cardio can be the worst ZZZzzzzzzz
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I love walking! I’m also one of those who love running but I’d never tell anyone they NEED to do it, because I know how hard it is if you don’t enjoy it. I used to hate it myself 😉 But walking is the best thing if I want to empty my head: just put on a good playlist and wander around for an hour. And then come home with a clearer mind, love it! I walk everywhere, even when I could take public transport. I hate crowded vehicles whereas walking is good in all ways 🙂
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I’m a big walked, and will often choose walking over my bike, even if it takes longer. Walking just feels soooo good
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I’ve been trying to walk more recently (in the UK wee’re currently allowed out once a day for some exercise). I hurt my back and shoulder recently so walking has been the perfect exercise for me – it’s low impact and easy on my achy joints!
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Those restrictions sounds so harsh. Here we can go outside as long as we stay away from crowded places and mind our distancing. To say I’ve been walking a lot the last month and a bit since everything closed down is an understatement. 😛
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Walking has become my favourite activity by far!
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I’ve been trying to walk more recently (in the UK wee’re currently allowed out once a day for some exercise). I hurt my back and shoulder so walking has been the perfect exercise for me – it’s low impact and easy on my achy joints!
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I’m back into my exercise but I hate running. I always have. When I used to go to the gym, my favourite thing to do was uphill walking. I definitely need to get out and do more walking – although it’s hard given the current circumstances!
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Walking is my favorite. I haven’t been able to really run since i busted my knee as a teen, and since my ankle busted almost two years ago even walking was hard, but I’m slowly building it up again and njoying it so much.
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I love that there are so many brilliant health benefits to walking and it’s so easy and free to do! I always enjoy going out for a daily walk, the exercise and fresh air makes me feel so much more refreshed afterwards 🙂 Thanks for sharing Tea, such a motivational post! ❤ xx
Bexa | http://www.hellobexa.com
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Thank you for commenting 🙂
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Hi Tea! I’m going to send you a friend request from the Fitbit app. I started walking too! I don’t get nearly enough steps but I started walking 1hr a day, which is better than nothing. The weather is lovely today. ☀️
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All walking is better than nothing, and yes, i saw the request and befriended you ❤
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haha I saw that on the FitBit app! Thank you for accepting the friend request. 😃
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I also have bad knees and wish I was able to run. Walking is a good alternative and something I should try. Maybe it will help me sleep better. Great blog.
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It really is great and with a bit of care it’s not hard on the knees.
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Lovely piece. Walking is really important. Especially in this lockdown and quarantine, even in the roof to keep the body and mind fit enough.
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I’m a huge walking fan, I really enjoy it. During lockdown I have rediscovered my love of walking. We use our exercise trip to walk as far as we can and I am doing home walking thanks to Leslie Sansome on YouTube.
She is well worth a look. I’d done 3 miles before breakfast today x
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I’ll have to look her up. I love walking and try to get one long walk in every day ❤
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I’ve been going for a walk every day since the lockdown started – I’m pretty sure I’m getting more exercise now than I did before all this! 😂 Walking definitely helps me to feel more relaxed and balanced, and to sleep better.
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walking really is great for the mind and soul
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I love walking, in any season in London I’ll just go for a couple of hours. It’s great for thinking things through without distractions. I’m in Barbados now where we can’t even go out for a walk during lockdown and I really miss it – no walking along the beach!
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that sounds so hard, but you’ll just have to plan all the walks you’ll take when allowed out again
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I need to buy myself a new Fitbit. I love walking and now would be the perfect time to start again.
Al x
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I love my fitbit, and it really motivates me
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I am a big fan of walking! I take my phone with me and try to get a couple of cherry tree shots too. Getting some fresh air every day is a must!
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yes, walking is my main place of taking pics for insta which forces me to find new routes which is kind of cool 🙂
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I love it!
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When the weather is nice and warm walking is the best thing to do! Especially with comfy shoes!
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Comfy shoes is a must
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Walking is so important and the most basic form of exercise. It is important to have the right shoes too because the last thing you want is to walk a mile in heels. I love all of these different facts you present! Thanks for sharing!
Nancy ♥ exquisitely.me
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thank you for commenting 🙂
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I’m one of those annoying runners you were talking about in the first paragraph. I like walking as a form of light exercise, especially if you’re in a group. I’ve been really enjoying my walks since we’ve been in lockdown as a way to get out and get some fresh air x
Sophie
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I used to be one of them too, and then I blew my knees out in my early teens and runing have been off the table ever since 😛
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I’ve heard a lot about people doing indoor walking and I need to loo into it 🙂
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I find walking good for clearing my head and getting focused, plus it’s gtreat excersise. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Nic | Nic’s Adventures & Bakes
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Thanks for commenting 🙂
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