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Tag: walking

Why 10,000 Steps?

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I used to think 10000 steps a day was more than I could handle—some days I barely logged a thousand steps. Really! I wasn’t walking a lot. I was going from my home to my car, then parking close to the door at work and to my sedentary desk job. At the end of the day the process would be done in reverse. I thought I was getting enough steps in —I swam at the pool and I rode my bike but that was about it. The health club I belonged to held a month-long 10,000 steps challenge for the members. I admired my friends who monitored their steps on their smart watches, and logged in impressive numbers of steps throughout the challenge. The concept was interesting, but with my schedule, I just couldn’t seem to bypass 5,000 steps in one day.

Then I got a new job. It required me to be on my feet most of the time working with customers. Suddenly, my feet hurt. I needed better shoes. I quickly found out shoe choices were a hot topic among my coworkers. The better the shoe for walking, the less you ached at the end of the day! I quickly found good sneakers. Soon I was logging more than 10,000 steps a day. A lot more. Most days I would log 22,000 steps.

I had always wondered why experts chose 10,000 steps. I discovered for me, 10,000 was equal to walking about five miles—so I became more active. Yay! But my research also shows there’s science behind the actual number.

  • A study in JAMA Neurology found a possible link between walking 10,000 steps per day and a reduced risk of developing cardiovascular disease, 13 types of cancer, stroke, and heart failure. 
  • Research indicates a link between walking and improved mental clarity and the creative flow of ideas.
  • A study of over 72,000 people found that walking 9,000–10,000 steps per day may reduce the risk of death by more than a third.
  • Walking an extra 10,000 steps per day can burn 2,000–3,500 calories per week, which could lead to weight loss depending on your weight and exercise intensity.

I still try to get in 10,000 steps per day, no longer for health reasons but because I enjoy it and my canine companion does too!

Have You Tried Walking Meditation?

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“Walking Meditation” creates an additional purpose so that walking is more than just exercise. Walking meditation bridges the gap between physical activity and mental stillness. It syncs each step with your breath, bringing awareness to the sensation of movement, and the touch of your feet on the ground.

How to Practice Walking Meditation

  1. Find a Suitable Location: A quiet park, beach, or even a secluded path in your backyard can work.
  2. Start with Intention: Begin by standing still, taking a few deep breaths, and setting your intention for the walk.
  3. Sync with Your Breath: With each step, inhale and exhale. For instance, take three steps while inhaling and three while exhaling.
  4. Stay Present: Focus on the sensation of your feet lifting off, moving through the air, and making contact with the ground.
  5. Mindful Observation: Observe your surroundings—the chirping of birds, the rustling of leaves, or the breeze on your face.

Benefits of Walking Meditation

  • Enhances mindfulness and concentration.
  • Offers physical benefits of walking, like improved circulation and cardiovascular health.
  • Helps in grounding and connecting with nature.
  • Acts as a refreshing break from the routine of seated meditation
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What a gorgeous Spring day to be able to get outside and get some steps in! There’s a nice cool breeze blowing, birds are singing, the squirrels are running around and I smell the jasmine blooming. Walking always helps clear my mind and I know it’s good for my health. Make it a great day.

Healthy tip of the day

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Take a 10-30 minute walk every day & while you walk, SMILE. It is the ultimate antidepressant.

Make physical activity part of your life

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You don’t need to be an athlete or have special skills or equipment to make physical activity part of your life. Many types of activities you do every day, such as walking your dog or going up and down steps at home or at work, may help improve your health.

Try different activities you enjoy. If you like an activity, you’re more likely to stick with it. Anything that gets you moving around, even for a few minutes at a time, is a healthy start to getting fit.

Walking

Walking is free and easy to do—and you can do it almost anywhere. Walking will help you

  • burn calories
  • improve your fitness
  • lift your mood
  • strengthen your bones and muscles

If you are concerned about safety, try walking in a shopping mall or park where it is well lit and other people are around. Many malls and parks have benches where you can take a quick break. Walking with a friend or family member is safer than walking alone and may provide the social support you need to meet your activity goals.

If you don’t have time for a long walk, take several short walks instead. For example, instead of a 30-minute walk, add three 10-minute walks to your day. Shorter spurts of activity are easier to fit into a busy schedule.

If you don’t have time for a long walk, take several short walks instead.

Walking tips

  • Wear comfortable, well-fitting walking shoes with a lot of support, and socks that absorb sweat.
  • Dress for the weather if you are walking outdoors. In cold weather, wear layers of clothing you can remove if you start getting too warm. In hot weather, protect yourself against the sun and heat.
  • Warm up by walking more slowly for the first few minutes. Cool down by slowing your pace.

Workout clothing tips

  • Clothes made of fabrics that absorb sweat are best for working out.
  • Comfortable, lightweight clothes allow you to move more easily.
  • Tights or spandex shorts are the best bottoms to wear to prevent inner-thigh chafing.
  • Women should wear a bra that provides extra support during physical activity.

Today is National Walking Day!

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Ready to move? Physical inactivity is a leading cause of heart disease and can be more dangerous than smoking. To combat this, the American Heart Association has named the first Wednesday in April as National Walking Day.

Americans are encouraged to walk for at least 30 minutes today — and every day. Statistics from the AHA show that one in two men and one in three women are at risk for heart disease.

For more information about walking, check out our walking post here

Spring is here and it’s the perfect time for a 15 minute walk!

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Did you know a 15 minute walk can change your body?

Most people are well aware of the countless benefits from regular exercise, however, most Americans simply choose not to exercise or workout in their spare time. Yet, studies show that exercise can buy you three to seven additional years of life! Exercise in the form of walking becomes an antidepressant; improves cognitive function, and there is now evidence that it may retard the onset of dementia.

1. Exercise can lower the risk of diabetes: A Harvard Nurses’ Health Study showed that women who walked for a half-hour daily experienced a 30% lower risk of diabetes. Walking was also found to be able to shrink dangerous abdominal fat, which can result in diabetes.

2. Walking lowers the risk of Alzheimer’s disease: Researchers at the University of Virginia Health System discovered men aged of 71 – 93, who walked more than a quarter mile daily had half the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia in comparison to participants who walked less.

3. Walking reduces high blood pressure: Researchers found that moderate walking lowers the risk of high blood pressure.

4. Walking helps digestion: Cancer Treatment Centers of America maintains that walking can improve your gastric mobility.

5. Walking reduces pain and enhances mobility: The American Heart Association published an article showing walking on a daily basis can improve mobility in people with PAD (peripheral artery disease).

6. Walking enhances bone health: People who exercise or walk on a daily basis have healthier and stronger teeth, boost bone density, strengthen their bones and lower the risk of osteoporosis, fractures, and spine shrinkage.

7. Walking improves cognitive performance: Studies show that regular walks boost cognitive performance in both children and adults.

8. Walking leads to longevity: Numerous studies have proven that regular walking lowers the risk of mortality.

9. Walking improves mood: A 2016 study showed walking at least 20 minutes daily boosts self-confidence and attentiveness, and reduces feelings of anger and hostility.

With benefits like these and warmer weather, there’s no reason not to get out and walk!

Here are some useful walking tips:

  • Pick a suitable pace, in order to burn calories, you need to walk about 3.5 miles an hour.
  • To burn more calories, try an incline walk (walking up Fairways Blvd. to the Clubhouse is an incline and my Fitbits register that walk as walking up six flights of stairs!)
  • Always wear flexible, low-heeled, cushioned, comfortable shoes
  • Walk with the shoulders down, the chin parallel to the ground, and looking straight ahead
  • Swing the arms while walking, bend them at 90 degrees and pump the shoulders.

You can start walking more by making some tiny changes into your daily routine:

  • Take the stairs instead of the elevator
  • Go for a short walk after lunch or dinner (walking with friends makes it more enjoyable)
  • Get off several bus stops before your destination when taking public transport
  • Always park your car a bit further and walk to the destination
  • Take your dog for a walk (my dog insists on walking three to five miles over the course of a day)
  • Listen to your favorite podcast or music and walk.

It’s recommended to use a pedometer or one of the wearable fitness trackers, to keep track and find out how far you normally walk. At first, you may be surprised to realize just how little you move each day. Tracking your steps can also show you how simple and seemingly minor changes to the way you move around during the day can add up. Plus, it’s motivating to see your steps increase throughout the day.”

We may never avoid becoming completely old, but we may delay the time we become old. We may look younger when we’re 70 and may live into our nineties.

Take a hike!

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Today is officially National Take A Walk In The Park Day.

After a long busy day, a calming and therapeutic way to relax would be a nice, leisurely walk in the park. Taking a walk at a local park is an excellent way to clear one’s mind from the stresses of the day, re-energize and at the same time, to improve your health.

During a walk, you can capture a beautiful photograph, compose an original poem, have an uninterrupted conversation, lose track of time and run into a familiar face. How fun is that? Just think, when you take a walk in the park, all sorts of pleasant surprises can occur.

Go out for a walk in the park, you really don’t need to take a hike to enjoy nature’s beauty and being outside.

#TakeAWalkInTheParkDay