Do you even walk, bro?

One of my favorite past times is walking. According to my mother I’ve been walking since before I was one, but now I mean walking just to walk, not walking to get somewhere. I basically just walk in large circles now, but in terms of exercise, can it get any better?

I used to walk with friends for exercise when I lived in the city. I didn’t enjoy it as much then, but maybe it was because the scenery was lacking. Now, living in Western Massachusetts, I can go ten minutes from home and enjoy a beautiful vista, or some quiet woods. I think that is what I enjoy the most.

So now I walk for mental enjoyment, but also for my physical activity. My friends know that I maintain a fast clip, certainly enough to get me out of breath. Another benefit is that you can do it with friends!

Do you know that experts recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise most days of the week? And moderate intensity means getting a little out of breath. Walking is good for your heart, as it can improve your heart’s efficiency, and lungs. It is good for your circulation, and can even improve blood pressure (modestly). Additionally, walking is a good weight bearing exercise, meaning it can strengthen your bones by stressing them out a little. Walking builds up your leg and back muscles, and keeps you agile for longer. It can improve your mood, and also your sleep quality.

Best of all, you need little to no equipment to walk. You need good shoes and clothing that is appropriate for the weather. I like to walk in the woods, so I have sturdy hiking boots and ice grippers in case I need them. Now that I am in my 30’s, I don’t mess around with cold weather so I also have a nice, heavy coat and thick gloves. I have a little backpack that I fill with water, snacks, I.D. just in case, and other miscellaneous items. You may want to think about buying a high visibility vest if you live in an area where people hunt.

A dog is optional, but it helps.

I also bring my camera when I walk, because I like to take photos of pretty things. Sometimes when I walk, I stop for a moment and listen to the sounds of the forest. Sometimes I can’t believe how quiet it is. It’s hard to portray just how relaxing it is to be away from the hustle and bustle with a picture, but I will try.

As a PCP, I recommend a walking program for almost all of my patients, for the reason I mentioned above. Start slow, and listen to your body. But if you are like me, you won’t be able to stop!

Do you like to walk? Where do you like to do it? What’s your favorite part about it? Let me know in the comments.