Making Walking a Part of Your Day

An hour a day five times a week, for the rest of your life? Who has that much time?

Ask yourself: If you could make $10,000 a week working only five hours, would you do it? Of course you would. You have the time; it is just a matter of believing that getting the exercise is as important as making $10,000.

Before you put on your walking shoes, consider these tips for making walking a permanent part of your life:

• Give it value. Think of all the benefits of walking: It helps to reduce blood pressure and cholesterol. It's been shown to reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke. It also helps you sleep better and feel more relaxed.
  
  
• Make walking irresistible. All the facts in the world are not going to keep you walking for exercise if you absolutely hate it. But maybe these two facts will change your mind: First, walking is accessible to everyone. That's one reason it's the world's most popular physical activity. Second, walking is a low-impact activity that goes easy on the joints. (This is especially important to overweight people, who often suffer from undue stress on the joints.)
  
  
• Keep it simple. A common beginners' mistake is overestimating their motivation. Are you really going to drive to the local nature reserve after dinner, take an hour's walk, and then drive home five times a week? Probably not. Taking a walk around your neighborhood may not be as scenic, but it's a lot easier to do.

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I Don't Like Walking