Walking is free and just about the simplest way of getting more active, losing weight and becoming healthier. It is suitable for people of all fitness levels and ages, and the only equipment you need is a pair of shoes. The risk of chronic illnesses such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, some cancers, stroke and asthma has been shown to be reduced by regular walking. We spend more and more time at our desks and back and leg complaints have increased over recent years with Occupational Health Cardiff companies such as https://insightoccupationalhealth.co.uk/areas-we-cover/occupational-health-cardiff/ regularly seeing people who need amendments made to their desk set up in order to sit more comfortably and relieve any pressure that there is on the back, leg and neck joints.
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Getting Started
Wear trainers or shoes that provide adequate
support, are comfortable and do not rub your feet. Your clothing should be
loose-fitting and allow free movement. Thin layers are better than heavy
clothes.
Start slowly and gradually build up your walking regime. According to the Guardian, brisk walking is better
than running for reducing your risk of heart disease, but you do need to build
up to a moderately brisk walk in order to gain the health benefits.
Begin by walking slowly and build up your pace gradually. Try to walk 10,000
steps a day, breaking it down into ten-minute chunks if this helps. You should
reach a pace to raise your heart beat and sweat a little and slow down again
towards the end of the walk, finishing with some gentle stretches to increase
your flexibility.
Keeping Motivated
If you make walking a habit, it becomes easier
to maintain, so try to include it in your daily routine. You could walk part
of the way to work, walk to school with the children, use the stairs rather
than a lift or arrange a regular walk with friends.
Walking for
Health has a search facility for finding organised
health walks in your area, so why not join one of these? In addition to
getting fitter and losing weight, you will make new friends and discover new
places to walk. There are also free guided walks in all the UK’s national
parks in the holidays.
If you set yourself a goal to work up to walking 10,000 steps every day, you
will find it becomes easier all the time, and it can be fun to monitor your
progress with a pedometer.
