My Sunday Morning Walk (But Not This Week!)
A very good morning to everyone, I hope your Sunday has got off to a great start. We are having to change our plans, I’m afraid, or rather the weather has changed them for us.
Sunday morning usually means a long walk for us and Max, our springer spaniel. But not today, as wet and windy doesn’t really describe how wild it is outside at the moment. Not that it would stop Max, he would go out in any weather. No, it’s us oldies who want to stay in the warm. Our clocks were moved back an hour last night, signalling the end of summer time, and the weather seems to know this, too.
Walking has become popular again as a means of exercise and an aid to weight loss. Most people can enjoy walking as it is a low impact exercise that has a number of health benefits.
Some Of The Benefits Of Walking
- Manage your weight
- Lower your blood pressure
- Improve your mood
- Reduces your risk to, or manages type 2 diabetes
- Helps your good and bad cholesterol to maintain a good balance
- Stay fit and strong
Some Tips To Avoid Injury
Wear comfortable clothing and walking shoes or boots. Try and layer your clothing so that you start out well wrapped up but as your walk gets more energetic you can remove items so you keep at a comfortable temperature.
Spend a few minutes walking slowly or walking on the spot until you warm up.
Once you are warm, do some muscle stretches before you set off.
When you are coming to the end of your walk, let the intensity drop and walk slowly for the final 5-10 minutes. This helps to reduce the stress on your heart and muscles.
And finally, repeat your stretches.
Walking will help you to get fit and if done on a regular basis will aid weight loss as well. But if you haven’t walked any distance in a while, please don’t dive right in. Start off gently and build your pace and distance steadily, and you will soon be seeing the benefits, and the joys, of walking.
Unfortunately, I will not be walking anywhere today. Sit, Max.
Gordon.
