Walking - A Good Exercise...!!

Walking is a safe, easy and inexpensive form of workout that has several positive outcomes on health.

Innumerable studies conducted all over the world have confirmed that walking for thirty minutes at least five times a week brings with it loads of benefits. It helps to decrease the likelihood of developing metabolic syndrome, a combination of disorders that increase the risk of heart disease and diabetes.

Walking for longer distances over longer periods is more beneficial than walking with greater intensity for shorter periods. Regular walking lowers body weight, body fat and blood pressure. It improves the efficiency of the heart and lungs to provide oxygen-rich blood to the muscles, thus enhancing the working ability of a person. When combined with low-fat and high-carbohydrate diet, it also lowers blood cholesterol, which is another risk for heart disease.

Everybody needs exercise -- children, adolescents, men, women, the elderly and even people recovering from diseases. Walking is a type of exercise that can be easily integrated into everyone's lifestyle. It comes free and the intensity can be varied according to one's capacity.

Studies have shown that irrespective of whether an individual loses weight or not, he still profits from this activity, in terms of building a healthy body and prolonging life. As against that, a slim but sedentary person has more risk of suffering from heart conditions.

Experts believe that the simple act of walking to school makes a great start to an active day for schoolchildren. It sets the pace for increased physical activity throughout the day and can be a big step toward preventing the obesity epidemic.

Regular physical exercise is a must for diabetics. It improves effectiveness of insulin, the hormone that enables sugar to enter cells of the body. Walking for half an hour everyday helps to maintain appropriate blood glucose levels.

The exercise of walking brings a lot of good news for post- menopausal women. It prevents osteoporosis and fractures by increasing bone mass and preserving bones. It builds lower body strength and improves body balance. Women who are active after menopause do not gain excess weight. This enhances their self esteem, prevents depression and decreases menopausal symptoms.

Although much is written about the benefits of exercise, not enough is practiced. The habit should be inculcated at a young age so that it becomes a way of life. An easy and affordable activity like walking should be promoted and encouraged to build a society of individuals with healthy bodies and minds.