Walking Is Fun and Good Exercise

We all know the benefits of exercise for improving our health and
well-being. But is your treadmill growing a lovely crop of
mould in the basement? Do you know which box you stashed your
thigh master in last time you moved? How long did your gym
membership last after you only went two times? The problem with
exercise is that it can be fun to start with, but before long it
becomes really tedious.

That's why walking can be such a great choice for exercising.
You're not stuck in one place or on one piece of equipment - you
can walk anywhere you choose to, whenever it suits you. Take a
brisk stroll during lunch and there's your daily workout.
Walking is easy, you don't need special equipment or gym
memberships, and if you get bored with your local sights - visit
a nearby park and walk there instead.

I've always found walking a great way to clear my head. I call
it brain dumping - so much stuff builds up in my head during the
day, whether it's things I need to do, or ideas that require some
thought, and my daily walk is a great time to sort all those
thoughts out and process them without interruption. I often
carry a notepad and pen with me! It's nice to get away from the
daily hustle and bustle, breathe deeply and slowly unwind. Even
better, I'm getting fitter and healthier with every walk. And
I'd much rather look at trees and flowers than my basement walls.

If you don't feel the need for some alone time, then why not make
your daily walk a social activity? If you walk at lunchtime,
form a walking club and go walking with others from work. It can
be a great opportunity to get to know your colleagues in a more
relaxed environment. Or meet up with some neighborhood Moms or
Dads for an evening walk, once their partners are home to keep an
eye on the kids. If the kids are old enough, take them with you!

Many shopping malls now organize walking groups, who do a few
laps of the mall every day for exercise, usually before the mall
opens. Join a mall-walking group, and you'll make new friends
and have people to chat to as you're getting your daily exercise.
Even better, the weather isn't an issue - it never rains inside
the mall! If you still prefer the great outdoors, then join a
local hiking or walking club. These groups regularly schedule
walks in your area, and sometimes even special trips to other
areas so that you can experience the beauty of nature as you're
walking. You can meet new people who share your enthusiasm for
walking.

All you really need to get started is some comfortable shoes and
clothing. If you like the social aspect of going for a walk,
grab a few friends and take them with you. And if you really
can't face the weather outside, you can always stay home and walk
on the spot in front of your favorite TV program.