The modern push for convenience means that some of us are barely moving each day. We don’t need to walk and be active; sitting at a computer all day, picking up food at a drive-through window and sitting watching hours of television means we are barely moving enough to promote health and burn calories. In order to resist this trend towards sedentary behavior, it is up to us to come up with creative ways to incorporate more physical activity into our daily lives. Walking fits this bill perfectly.
 
We often think of walking as a means of getting from one place to another. However, walking is much more than our primary method of transportation. The natural motion of swinging our legs and arms back and forth to propel our body forwards is a powerful form of exercise with tremendous physical and mental health benefits. But you do not have to walk purely for the health benefits of exercise. Walking is a way to engage all of your senses—you can walk in your neighborhood, you can walk on the beach, you can walk with friends, you can walk by yourself, you can walk for a cause…there are so many reasons to walk.
 
If you are looking for adventure, different forms of walking such as hiking or racewalking may offer an exciting challenge. Whatever your motivation and style, do one thing—make walking enjoyable! Pleasure is a critical ingredient for building healthful habits. Take some time to experiment and determine how you can make walking a fun-filled part of your daily routine.