Walk For Fun!

Walking need not be a tedious chore simply for exercise. In fact, there are so many different places and ways to walk that you may want to make it a hobby. Walking should be pleasurable and can be a time to bond with others or multitask while still deriving the benefits of exercise. Rather than kicking back to watch TV after dinner, encourage your family to take an evening walk with you. Not only will this aid in digestion, it is a great way to incorporate family time with exercise. Or, if you need some alone time, download a podcast or some tunes to your mp3 player and engage multiple senses. Or just listen to the natural sounds of your surroundings and let your mind wander.

If you want to get away from the cluttered urban environment, try hiking in the great outdoors. Hiking is a subset of walking that is usually done in nature on designated trails or paths. In fact, many of the most beautiful places on earth can only be reached by foot. As opposed to walking on a flat surface like pavement, hiking is more challenging as it requires strength and balance to navigate different terrain. As you get more experienced with hiking, you may want to get even more adventurous and try backpacking, mountain climbing, or camping. The opportunities are limitless!

If you are not a fan of the rugged outdoors, but you love the beach, don’t ignore your surroundings by lounging in your chair all day. Go for a beach walk. Not only will you get a bronze tan (and some vitamin D), you activate stabilizer muscles in your legs and build strength in your knees and ankles by walking on an unstable surface like sand.

And for those with a competitive streak, you may want to consider racewalking. This long distance foot race is different from running in that one foot must be in contact with the ground at all times (this is what distinguishes walking from running). Racewalking is actually an Olympic sport with strict rules, trained judges, and a detailed strategy. So who knows? You may well have found your calling. Go for the gold!