I love, love, love to go for a walk outside! To me there is nothing better than to be outside breathing the fresh air and enjoying nature. I don’t care if it’s 85 degrees and sunny or 25 degrees and snowing! I just love to be outside. Walking is a wonderful way to get moving regardless of your health at the moment. Just about anyone can take a walk even if it’s only for 10 or 20 minutes a day so it’s easy to fit into a busy schedule.
High Intensity Interval Training
So how can you walk yourself to good health? One thing that I do that helps is to alternate how fast I walk. High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is a great way to pack a punch in a short period of time. The key is to increase your speed for 30 seconds to 1 minute intervals throughout your walk. This helps your body to burn more fat throughout the day. Study’s have shown that HIIT workouts can help you to continually burn fat for 18 hours past your workout! Now that’s results!!
Reduces Stress
Walking can also help with your stress levels. Walking is a great way to reduce your stress and calm your spirit. Whenever I feel stressed or anxious, I will go outside and just walk. Not necessarily at a fast pace but just a nice easy walk. At first, I may be looking down at the ground and more in my head than looking around. Before I know it, I’m looking at the trees and listening to the birds. I find myself breathing deeper and picking up my pace. Then I notice that I’m smiling and breathing deeper. It doesn’t usually take long for all of this to take place, usually about 15 minutes or so before I’m feeling better and my mental outlook has improved greatly! Walking helps to get those wonderful endorphins working that gets your energy levels up and can keep you motivated.
Another thing that’s great about walking is…..IT’S FREE!!!! You don’t have to go to a gym, buy any fancy equipment or have any special skills. Walking is one of the few things today that you can do that doesn’t cost you a thing but a little bit of time. And it’s a great way to build relationships….you don’t have to walk alone! Ask your spouse or a friend to walk with you….or maybe your kids! A family that plays together, stays together!!
Get Moving!
Now that the weather has warmed up, it’s a great time to get outside and get moving! Even if it’s only for a few minutes a day. Get moving! Get active!! The thing to remember is that you don’t have to block out an hour a day. If you can only do 10 minute increments throughout the day, do it! Maybe you can take 10 minutes in the morning and 10 in the afternoon and before you know it you’ve got a good 20 minute HIIT program in and your done!! That’s really all you need if you are pressed for time. Now if you are one of the fortunate ones who has more time than by all means, walk longer. The key is to move and get active.
I hope this helps to get you motivated to get outside and enjoy this wonderful world we live in. Go for a walk, breath deep and enjoy!
Blessings to you,
Becky