Walking to Health and Savings

My roommate’s sister has been walking almost everyday, for years. She lives in the northeast and walks in the rain, sunshine and in the snow. Only ice and major snowstorms keep her home. I am quite awed at her dedication; even through the cruddy weather that the northeast can get and in-spite of her arthritis.

Walking is the most frugal way to get exercise. A side benefit is the money saved in health costs from the exercise and money saved by leaving the car at home.

Expense – Requiring very little equipment other than shoes and clothes to keep you warm or cool
Safety – It is one of the safest forms of exercise. No shin splints, tennis elbow or strain muscles
Weight loss – One of the most effective forms of weight-loss that anyone can do because of it being low impact and burns about the same calories as running
Health Benefits – Can reduce heart attacks and strokes, lowers blood pressure and helps reduce stress

If you are considering the idea of placing more walking into your routine. Don’t make a walk to work your first test. Start slow. Go 10-30 minutes a day to start out with. Once that becomes easier, increase your pace and distance slowly. A brisk pace is a mile in 15-20 minutes.

Some ways to keep it interesting:
Walk with friends and family
Get a pedometer and record how far you travel
Grab some earphones and listen to music or radio
Practice a speech or memorizing (notecards are handy)
Walk at parks, malls(before the stores open),etc

Keep your expectations realistic:
It won’t cure anything
It will make you feel better both physically and mentally
It will make your lower body stronger
It won’t make you look like a bodybuilder

Additional reading:
Save Gas- Walk or Bike
The walking site
Frugal Exercising