Health Informative Council

The western modern world has brought with it amenities that we find very hard to resist, like our car of example.
In the United States, in a modern city like Los Angeles for example, we have brought the idea of a car and convenience to a new level; we drive to the corner store, we circulate the parking lot over and over again to find the closest parking spot, we take the escalator to the gym so we can spend 20 minutes on the stair-master. All we need to do in order to stay in good shape is to forgo those behaviors and start walking.

That is the main reason, expert believe, the percentage of obese people is so high in the United States. This and the fast food restaurants.

Walking is one of the best aerobic exercises that we can do without it costing us any extra money and taking just a little bit more time. It is a healthier activity than jogging which can be very hard on your knees because of the constant pounding on the pavement.
The recommended duration of walking a person should do per day is measured by about 10,000 steps. You can do it in one session if you like, by hiking or walking for 30-60 minutes, depending on our speed, or you can break it down to small 10-15 minutes increments.

If you use walking as your aerobic exercise you should walk briskly. A good test to see if you are walking in the right speed is to be able to carry on a conversation with little huffing and puffing. If you can sing or whistle while you walk, you are not doing it at the right pace.

Walking can be done everywhere; around the house, in your neighborhood, in the mall, on the way to shopping. All you need is a good pair of walking shoes to protect your back and knees and a bottle of water you can take with you to stay hydrated. You do not need to know more than that – you don’t need to keep a correct posture, you do not need equipment.

Walk to raise your heart rate, to lower your cholesterol, to exercise your lungs and legs. Walk alone or with a friend. You can even do it while you walk your dog. Let him/her sniff his way around at the beginning. When you increase your speed and his bladder is empty, use the way home as your aerobics. Both of you will benefit.

It is so easy and logical, so why don’t we do it more often ?

The speed of the modern world is to blame. We are busier than ever and we try to cut corners to save time to do “more important” things. That is the first thing that needs changing. Slow down and smell the flowers, enjoy the things that you do while you do them. Live in the present instead of constantly thinking about the future.