You know how every day seems to have a food attached to it these days? I think I remember hearing about national peanut butter day (a favorite of mine), ice cream day, margarita day, doughnut day, and a few others. Well, I finally found a day we can celebrate without any guilt whatsoever.
The American Heart Association’s National Start Walking Day on April 4th
I’ve been doing more walking lately since I can’t run right now. **On a side note, I completed 20 easy minutes on the stair climber yesterday morning. I only had mild pain at the gym and some discomfort after, so I guess that’s progress!
I find walking to be just enough cardio for me, especially if I’m booking it up some hills, and it really saves my joints. Don’t get me wrong. I want to start running again soon, but walking just feels good.
When I walk with the hubby, we both get endorphin-producing, mood-boosting exercise. We walk quickly, but we can still carry on a conversation the entire time. This means we get some computer/tv/iphone-free time to actually connect. Amazing, right?
Here are a few walking links that mention other benefits of favorite exercise:
- Make Your Walk A Workout, WebMD
- 8 Benefits of Walking, Rodale News
- Exercise And Endorphins, WebMD
- Trim Your Waistline, Improve Your Health, Mayo Clinic
I know Nation is not until next week, but this gives you time to plan a route, call a buddy, or check the weather forecast. All you need are three ten-minute sessions, and you’ve already gotten more fit.
**If you want to make walking more difficult, add hills, push the pace, or walk with a weighted vest. Don’t carry dumbbells; that can strain your back and wrists.
- What’s your favorite form of exercise?
March 27, 2012 at 6:48 am
Oh good- I saw this and went “oh crap, it’s going to rain all day and I can’t walk!” Good thing it’s next week and I won’t be ready for running after my half just yet… walking it is!
March 27, 2012 at 7:07 am
Cool! I’ll totally plan to do something on the fourth, I love walking!!
March 27, 2012 at 9:56 am
There’s a national walking day? Too cool! I’ll have to get prepared, haha. I’m going on a 3 mile walk this evening to run some errands rather than drive them–since there are no heavy groceries/etc. involved. I love walking, but I need to shake it up with some other lifting/cardio stuff or I’d get a little bored, I think.
March 27, 2012 at 10:05 am
I gotta say, I’ve been really sick of all these food days. They just seem kind of stupid! BUT…I can get behind a walking day.
Luckily, I have my little man (ryder) to walk with me every day.
March 27, 2012 at 10:50 am
Great post! I’m glad it’s next week too, since it’s cold and windy outside today – I’d blow away, then freeze to death.
March 27, 2012 at 12:04 pm
At the moment all I can do is walk, so those links are great. I love going on a walk in the fresh air anyway, and now we are having lovely spring weather it is even better. Plus I think walking is the most accessible thing, so anything encouraging people to get out and get moving is good in my book.
March 27, 2012 at 12:41 pm
I loovee walking. It’s so therapeutic for me. Walking, and cycling are my favorite forms of exercise, and running is a necessary form so I can eat cookies.
March 27, 2012 at 12:56 pm
yayyy for walking!
great post girl! i totally agree – walking is such a great form of cardio.
March 27, 2012 at 1:13 pm
LOVE this post!! Walking IS such a great form of cardio! Now that the weather is back to amazing and it’s lighter longer, I have found that my walks have increased significantly! And my pup gets to benefit from it as well!
My favorite form of exercise is always changing … I think that’s what keeps me interested in exercise! Currently, my favorite is bikram yoga!
March 27, 2012 at 5:28 pm
RUNNING for me
March 28, 2012 at 10:06 am
I love taking walks with my hubby too. Best time we can actually have a conversation without interruption