Get fit, slim down, boost your energy, and more.
If there’s a single “perfect exercise,” it’s walking, says Susan Johnson, EdD, who has helped thousands of people walk their way to good health as director of education for The Cooper Institute in Dallas and author of their Walking Handbook.
“Walking is easy, convenient, and inexpensive-all you need is a good pair of shoes,” she notes. “Nearly anybody can do it at any skill level-from grandma to the kids. You can do it almost anywhere, anytime. Plus, it has the lowest dropout rate and injury rate of all exercise programs.”
The physical benefits of walking are huge — improving cardiovascular health and circulation, reducing joint stiffness and muscle aches and pains, improving blood pressure, boosting metabolism and more.
In addition, regular physical activity like walking has been shown to reduce feelings of anxiety and depression. Walking also helps relieve stress and increase mindfulness, especially if done outside in nature.
And for exercise dropouts, it doesn’t take much. “Just 30 minutes a day can reduce your risk of dying prematurely and of developing numerous chronic diseases,” says Dr. Johnson. “And it will help control your weight, build and maintain healthy bones, muscles, and joints, reduce your risk of falls, and boost your mood.”
So, step out on the right foot with this plan to walk your way to health. Try a tip a day to build walking into your life.
View and print the walking planner from the Today Show.