Everywhere is walking distance if you have the
time. Steven Wright
Three universal goals most of us share are: to live
longer, to live free of illness and to control our weight. Interesting
enough, normal walking lets us achieve all three.
In fact, walking may be man's best medicine for slowing the aging
process. First, it works almost every muscle in the body, improving
circulation to the joints and massaging the blood vessels (keeping
them more elastic). Walking also helps us maintain both our muscle
mass and metabolism as we age. It also keeps us young in spirit.
For anyone out of shape or unathletically inclined, walking is the
no-stress, no-sweat answer to lifelong conditioning.
All it takes is a little time, common sense and a few guidelines.
Unfortunately, there's a lot of misinformation floating around regarding
fitness walking, weight-loss and dieting.
Walking is one of the best exercise for strengthening bones, controlling
weight, toning the leg muscles, maintaining good posture and improving
positive self-concept.
People who diet without exercising often get fatter with time.
Although your weight may initially drop while dieting, such weight
loss consists mostly of water and muscle. When the weight returns,
it comes back as fat. To avoid getting fatter over time, increase
your metabolism by exercising daily.
To lose weight, it's more important to walk for time than speed.
Walking at a moderate pace yields longer workouts with less soreness
- - leading to more miles and more calories spent on a regular basis.
High-intensity walks on alternate days help condition one's system.
But in a waking, weight-loss program, it's better to be active every
day. This doesn't require walking an hour every day. The key is
leading an active life-style 365 days a year.
When it comes to good health and weight loss, exercise and diet
are interrelated. Exercising without maintaining a balanced diet
is no more beneficial than dieting while remaining inactive.
The national research council recommends eating five or more servings
of fruits and vegetables a day. Fruits and vegetables are the ideal
diet foods for several reasons. They're relatively low in fat and
calories, yet are often high in fiber and rich in essential vitamins
and minerals.
Remember that rapid weight-loss consists mostly of water and muscle
- - the wrong kind of weight to lose. To avoid this, set more reasonable
goals, such as one pound per week.
Carbohydrates are high-octane fuel. They provide energy for movement
and help raise internal body metabolism. They're also satisfying.
The key is not adding high-fat toppings to your carbohydrates.
It's everyday habits which define our weight and body composition.
A three-minute walk after each meal is worth four pounds less body
fat annually. Two flights of stairs a day burns off half a pound
of body fat in a year. On the other hand, one candy bar eaten daily
will cost you 20 pounds annually and require walking about an hour
every day. The key is leading an active life-style 365 days a year
Want to learn more?
"So You Have Actively Trying To Get Pregnant" will teach you exactly what food, dietand exercise is needed for a healthy and quick pregnancy
