Walking Exercise: The Perfect Fitness Plan

Have you tried every fitness program out there and never stuck with any of them for more than a few weeks? The perfect exercise routine has been right under your nose the whole time, and the best part is you've been doing it since you were a toddler!

Walking exercise is the easiest, most simple kind of exercise you can imagine. It's especially perfect for those who are busy, unmotivated, or just plain old lazy. But most people dismiss walking exercise because they're under the impression that exercise has to be difficult in order to be effective. After you finish reading this, you'll know how beneficial walking can be, the correct and most effective way to do it, and how to keep yourself motivated to stick with it.

So What Are the Benefits of Walking Exercise?

Many people aren't aware of the benefits walking exercise can give them, so they'd rather watch TV or browse around the Internet. Modest exercise like walking is the best way to get and stay fit, according to several studies. But unlike what the flashy infomercials for the latest exercise gizmo claim, walking exercise benefits for your body happen slowly.

Walking helps control your blood pressure and reduces the risk of stroke and heart disease. It also increases your stamina, making your heart work with less stress to pump blood to the body. Walking exercise also reduces your risk for illnesses (like cancer and type 2 diabetes) and injuries like hip fractures. It can serve as a great stress reliever, contribute to your positive well-being, and be a pillar of your weight loss plan.

How Do You Perform Walking Exercise Correctly?

Make sure you get a good, comfortable pair of socks and walking shoes, especially ones that support the arches of your feet. You don't want to experience foot pain afterwards. If you don't already own a good pair of shoes, visit your local shoe store (Footlocker, Payless Shoe Source, etc) that carries athletic shoes.

Walk 3-5 times a week for 30 minutes (20 minutes when you're just starting your walking exercise routine). Maintain good posture, standing up with your back straight. And keep tabs on your breathing - try talking and if you're struggling too much to do it, slow down the pace, and if it's too easy you might want to pick up the pace. Be sure to stretch before and after your walk: you can do upper torso rotations, as well as inner thigh, calf, quad, and hamstring stretches.

How Do You Get Walking Exercise Motivation?

First, make a plan and be dedicated to stick to it. You won't see results walking a mile a week. Set specific days to walk, and after a couple of weeks it'll start to become routine.

Next, change the scenery every once in a while. You can have a regular route, but familiarity can get pretty boring very quickly. So take a trip to the park, or the mall, or a local high school/college track to shake things up in your walking exercise routine.

Walk your dog, or bring along your significant other or a friend or family member. They'll help keep you motivated and reduce stress. You can also take along your iPod or portable CD player and move to the music.

It's no wonder why walking exercise has the lowest dropout rate of any exercise in the world. No membership fees to pay, no expensive equipment to buy, and no complicated maneuvers to learn. No matter what fitness or income level you're at now, plan a walking exercise schedule and start reaping the benefits of a long time to come.