Walking

I was once at a friend's house and noticed that my friend's dad had a magazine entitled "Walking". My friend teased him for purchasing a periodical about such a simple activity. As easy as walking may be, it is one of the best exercises a person can do because it's an aerobic activity and is also low impact so everyone can do it.

Sometimes I drive to the gym and feel like a hypocrite as I circle the parking lot until a close spot opens up. That's very ironic, but I don't think I'm alone when it comes to being lazy. Over time as a society, we have become more sedentary due to technological advances. These advances are a blessing since they save us so much time, but they can also be a curse when they cause us to neglect our bodies.

When I think about sedentary lifestyles, I am reminded of the movie Wall-E and how everyone was dependent on machines to move themselves around and as a result they were all over weight.

If someone is looking to really improve their conditioning or burn calories faster, then high intensity workouts are a better option than just walking, but for people with injuries and those who are not yet able to handle intense workouts, walking is a step in the right direction. Running may not be as "sexy" or cool as CrossFit, TRX, or triathlons, but it is still a great exercise that you don't need a gym membership for. It's also a great way to relieve stress and enjoy the outdoors.

Look for ways to increase your physical activity by walking more. Take the stairs, park at the far side of the parking lot and go on walks with a spouse or friend.