Wear loose, comfortable clothing.

Wear comfortable, supportive shoes. Make sure they are not tight fitting.

Drink plenty of fluids before and after your walk. Take water with you, if you can.

Protect yourself from the sun with appropriate clothes, sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat.

If you have a medical condition, are overweight or over 40 years of age, haven’t exercised regularly for a while, check with your doctor before you start any type of exercise program.

Walking has been proven to be one of the best forms of cardiovascular exercise. Running and walking are among the purest, most natural forms of exercise around.

Some of the many health benefits of walking regularly are:

*Reduces risk of coronary heart disease, wonderful for cardio fitness

*Helps reduce risk of a stroke and many other chronic diseases

*Reduces stress

*Helps control weight

* Improves muscle tone and overall vitality

Why should you start walking? Walking for 30 to 60 minutes each day is one of the best things you can do for your body, mind, and spirit. To obtain all these benefits does not require strenuous exercise. It can reportedly produced measurable benefits, even among those who are less active.

Another thing is, walking and other exercise leads to the release of the body’s natural happy drugs – endorphins. Most people notice an improvement in mood.

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Health and Fitness