Connect and sync your brain to the information in our research-based articles about walking, step challenges, losing weight, health, nutrition, and more! View Article Index
Walking for exercise has some amazing health benefits! In fact, studies have shown that walking has the potential for both physical and mental health benefits. Although research is ongoing about the exact frequency, duration, and intensity needed to gain the most benefits, research on walking has demonstrated a myriad of potential physical and mental health benefits.
People with mobility and non-mobility health conditions are less likely to be physically active, are at higher risk for chronic diseases, report more barriers to physical activity (e.g., traffic, crime, animals), and report fewer supports for physical activity (e.g., roads, sidewalks, paths, trails, relaxing places) than people without health conditions.
Walking is an excellent workout! It strengthens your heart, boosts lung function, tones your leg muscles, and supports bone health. If walking is the only exercise that is accessible to you, then by all means do it. However, if you’re able to do more, it’s a good idea to add some other types of exercise – especially strength training.
Families who participate in healthy lifestyles together have many positive benefits. The most benefits are seen when families co-participate in activities rather than just model the behaviors for each other. Co-participation is engaging in health behavior with your family and can lead to positive physical activity and nutrition outcomes.
The whole family is stronger together than each person on their own. Each family member affects the others, and this can even shape future generations. Families help shape what we believe, how we treat others, how we think, and how we take care of our health. This is important to keep in mind for both healthy and unhealthy behaviors.
Tracking how many steps we walk each can be a great motivator. Having a number, like 10,000 steps a day can help us act on moving more throughout our day, and during intentional bouts of physical activity. Still, this number can sometimes seem daunting. So, what does the science say? Are there health benefits below 10,000 steps?
Use these 3 tips to learn how to eat more vegetables: vary your veggies, make veggies the main event, and make them taste and look goooood!
Life can be busy causing us to change our schedules to accommodate tasks that we place at the top of our to-do lists. Often, physical activity is pushed toward the bottom or completely removed from our lists despite associated health benefits. Lack of time, motivation, and accessible places to walk are often reported as top barriers to being physically active.
While we often talk about the right athletic shoes and clothing, sometimes we forget about our socks. Yet, socks can make a big difference in comfort and protection. So, be sure to choose the best socks for your activity.
Walking with the family may be easy in the beginning when everyone is happy and the activity is brand new. The following are a few tips to help you encourage your family to make walking a habit, if they are less than motivated.
Whether you’re trying to lose weight or gain stamina, it’s helpful to have a goal. One way to set your goal is to choose how long or far you will walk, but which is better? Is it better to walk faster or longer? What about pace?
Starting any new activity can be difficult and even more so when multiple people are involved. These difficulties can be overcome with a little planning and creativity so that you can enjoy the benefits of walking with your family.
Set up a group step challenge at your worksite, school, church, and more!
