Now that you’re getting used to incorporating walking into your routine let’s discuss the incredible benefits you’re gaining!
When we walk, we’re carrying our full body weight. Therefore, walking is considered a weight-bearing exercise. Some benefits of weight-bearing exercise include:
- Increased cardiovascular and pulmonary (heart and lung) fitness
- Reduced risk of heart disease and stroke
- Improved management of conditions such as hypertension (high blood pressure), high cholesterol, joint, and muscular pain or stiffness, and diabetes
- Stronger bones and improved balance
- Increased muscle strength and endurance
- Reduced body fat
Boost these benefits with challenge and incorporate more weight into your walking routine, which will help you burn even more fat and build more muscle. Use ankle or wrist weights or carry light-weight dumbells. If you don’t have weights, get creative. Create your own dumbbells or ankle weights by filling water bottles or old socks with sand.
