Wheeling Walks Challenge: Week #2

The Wonders of Walking!

It’s simple! Walking doesn’t require a huge investment - other than a good pair of shoes. You can do it anywhere, any time, in any weather! It doesn’t require any special skill, talent or equipment. You can do it by yourself, or with others. It’s easy to increase the intensity of walking as your fitness level improves.

According to Rob Sweetgall, one of the nation’s most avid proponents of walking and author of Walking off Weight and Walk the Four Seasons, "walking is one of the best forms of exercise because it requires no special equipment and costs nothing." Maybe that’s why research shows that walking/hiking is the nation’s leading outdoor activity with 133.6 million Americans participating.

Discover ways to walk more. Instead of your morning jolt-me-up cup of coffee, how about a wake-me-up-stroll? A short walk around the block each morning is a great way to start the day. Take a different route to the copy machine or restroom at work…find the longest route and walk it every time.

Venture outside for the scenic views and fresh air of Mother Nature’s health club - the great outdoors. Check out local nature centers in your area for hiking or walking paths near you. Make sure you take along a bottle of water.

No matter where you walk, remember that your feet work hard while exercising. If you’re doing any activity on your feet make sure you invest in shoes that work as hard as your feet do and are the right shoes for that type of activity.

Get new shoes.

If you’re an avid walker, your shoes lose their cushioning and support every 300 to 500 miles. Average exercisers should replace their shoes every six months or so; people who work out four or more times per week may need to replace their shoes every three to four months. And remember shoes do not have to cost a lot to be adequate.

This week take a walk during your lunch hour!