Walking for exercise is one of the healthiest of hobbies!
If you’re like most folks, you sit in a chair for the majority of the day, drive home and then sit in front of the tube. Most of us don’t get any regular exercise! This can lead to a too-big behind and health conditions you don’t want. There’s an easy way to keep fit. Walking for exercise is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Done regularly, you stay trim, keep your heart healthy, with good circulation and reduced stress. Who can object? The trick is actually doing it every day. You may enjoy going for a walk every now and then, but you won’t reap the health benefits by taking a walk once a month!
Approach walking for exercise as a pleasurable hobby, not as work. “Hey, I’m going for a walk in the park! Want to join me?” Not, “Oh God, I’ve got to go out and walk now!” Just bite the bullet and make yourself do it for just a few days. By the end of the first week, you’ll feel deprived if you don’t go for your daily constitutional. You’ll already be feeling more energetic. You might even lose a pound or two! You may also be sleeping better and be less stressed out.
If you live in a rural area, there are dozens of routes you can map out for your walking for exercise program. It’s surprising how few people in rural areas take regular walks. Drive around your local roads, taking a few turns down roads you’ve never explored. Nature is fascinating, all year around. You’ll soon be familiar with every tree, berry bush and flowering cherry along the way. Having a few different routes makes walking for exercise more interesting, which keeps you keepin’ on.
If you live in the city, there are hundreds of walking routes to take. There’s no need to sprint along. Walk at a pace with which you’re comfortable. Stop to browse in that shop you never knew was there – because you drove by! Include a few hills, as possible. In inclement weather, drive to a museum for your daily walk and learn something new at the same time.
In the suburbs, walk outside of your own neighborhood and get a better sense of your community as you’re walking for exercise. Stop and chat with some of these almost-neighbors. Who knows, you might make a new friend or discover a romantic interest.
There is just one caveat in the walking for exercise hobby: you must have comfortable walking shoes. Buy a good quality shoe. It will cost a bit more, but a properly fitted walking shoe won’t give you blisters or sore feet. That would make for a perfect excuse to quit your fledgling hobby. That won’t do!
I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to get started!
