According to the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) 39.6 percent of U.S. adults are obese. Weight gain tends to increase with age, and the combination of those factors make it harder to exercise for weight loss.
However, there’s good news—exercise doesn’t need to be complicated—something as simple as a daily brisk walk can help you live a healthier life.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), adults should get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week to maintain their weight.
This can be broken up into 20–30 minute sessions multiple times a day, such as walking briskly in the morning, at lunch, and in the evening. Alternatively, adults can do 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity each week, or a combination of both.
Benefits of walking on health
According to The Mayo Clinic regular brisk walking can help you in the following ways::
- Maintain a healthy weight and lose body fat
- Prevent or manage various conditions, including heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, cancer and type 2 diabetes
- Improve cardiovascular fitness
- Strengthen your bones and muscles
- Improve muscle endurance
- Increase energy levels
- Improve your mood, cognition, memory and sleep
- Improve your balance and coordination
- Strengthen immune system
- Reduce stress and tension
Starting out, you will most likely have to start two or three days per week at a slow pace over short distances. But as your stamina increases, you will be able to walk more frequently at a faster pace.
To keep from getting bored with your routine, you can also alternate your pace—with periods of brisk walking with leisurely walking—known as interval training. Plus, interval training can be done in less time than regular walking
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