Here's why you should walk
Walking is 'the nearest activity to perfect exercise' because it is a natural movement that places minimal stress on the joints. The advantage of walking is that the intensity and purpose is self-dictated. You could walk simply to get some fresh air, de-stress the mind or keep fit. Just five 30-minute walking sessions of approximately 2 miles each week can reduce the risk of heart attack by more than 25 per cent. Walking involves nearly all your muscles - the abdominal and back muscles are stabilized as they hold the spine erect, the arms work in opposition to legs. Benefits of walking Burns calories and strengthens bones. A low-impact activity with a low injury potential. Improves balance and posture. Lowers the risk of heart disease. A great stress buster. Calories burned Every mile you walk approximately burns 100 calories. If you walk 5 miles a day, everyday, you will burn about 3500-calories, or 1 pound in a week. Challenge your routine Increasing speed or distance is a good way of making your "walk workouts" more effective. Walking up the slopes increases the workload and energy costs. To further increase intensity of slope climbing - choose slopes that are steep. Walk tall Walk tall, with your head centered between your shoulders and your chest lifted. Bend elbows and pump your arms swinging forward and back from your shoulders. Pull in your abs and keep you spine in a neutral position. Stretch Don't forget to stretch the muscles you've worked at the end of your walking session. Calf stretch Taking a giant step forward with the right foot, right leg bent, left leg straight, keep both feet pointing forward and left heel touching the ground. Front of the thigh stretch Stand tall; grasp right foot with right hand. Bring your foot toward the hip, keeping knees together. Back of the thigh stretch Slowly raise one leg and rest it on an elevated platform, such as a park bench or ledge. Keeping your hips square, bend at your waist and lower your trunk forward. (Inputs from Mumbai -based clinical exercise specialist Namita Jain) DISCLAIMER: Notice : This e-mail and any attachments may contain information which is confidential to the addressee and may also be privileged. If you are not the intended recipient of this e-mail, you may not copy, forward, disclose or otherwise use it in any way whatsoever. If you have received this e-mail by mistake, please e-mail the sender by replying to this message, and deleting the original and any printout thereof. --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "BETTER PERSONALITY GROUP" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/better_personality?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
