Why Americans Should Walk for Health

Our culture is not a walking culture, and it shows. Heart disease and obesity are widespread. This isn't because of genetic defects, as many people claim. It is because we are not giving our bodies the exercise that they need. We aren't walking. In fact, we have become very clever at devising ways to avoid walking at all costs.

The fact that starting to walk again can have sweeping effects on our health will come as a great relief to some people. Many people are under the impression that, in order to be fit, or even moderately healthy, they have to buy expensive and time-consuming gym memberships, then sweat it out like an athlete. That isn't necessary. All you have to do to become fit is walk.

Even just a little walking each day will strengthen the heart and lungs, not to mention tone muscles and improve bone density. It's what we were made to do. It seems incredible, after all, that being in the weightlessness of space can have such drastic effects on the health of astronauts. A returning astronaut has to undergo physical therapy just to regain muscle mass and bone density. By living a completely sedentary lifestyle, we are essentially doing the same things to ourselves.

In my neighborhood it is common to see people ride their golf carts out to the mailbox to check the mail. The mailboxes are a tenth of a mile from the house I live in. I enjoy walking to and from the mailbox several times to relax and get a little exercise. When I first moved here, people were constantly asking what I was doing.

And, yes, if a tenth of a mile sounds like a long way to you, that is a bad sign. A five-minute walk shouldn't be intimidating. In fact, you should be able to walk several miles without even getting tired. Yet, many Americans can't. It is a terrible symptom. Many Americans have made themselves handicapped.

Walking is not a strenuous exercise. It's very mild. Yet it can work wonders on your appearance by burning away unwanted fat and calories, and by speeding up the metabolism. It doesn't stress the joints as jogging does, and it can be very relaxing. In short, walking simply feels good. It is an incredibly easy way to boost your health and get into shape. If you aren't a walker, start slowly - maybe ten mild minutes at a time twice a day, three days a week. You will be surprised how quickly you will be walking for longer and longer periods. It's the mildest form of exercise there is.