Walking As An Exercise

Before 'discovering' walking in 1984, I would have been hardpressed to think of walking as an exercise, let along an activity that could keep you fit forever.

One of the holy grails of good health is a fast metabolism, and no other single exercise in my opinion comes close to fulfilling the end result as walking does. Numerous books I have read on health and fitness tout exercises that are slow, prolonged and low impact and no other activity fills the billing as walking does.

Initially for me it was an hour or so in the evening, but like anything else one likes, I added more walking times in the day (and night). For many years I did a mile walk (15-20 min) at 11 just before retiring for the night.

If you do something long enough, and in my case walking for over 20 years, the subtle benefits (not needing a jacket most of the time) and other not so subtle ones (such as keeping healthy for the most part) are realized. Here in Northern California (especially Aptos), we are blessed with milder temps year round. So it could be 65 in the middle of summer or winter (not to say it does not occationally get 15-20 degrees on either side of 65). During cool nights when most people would stay indoors to keep warm, maybe even huddle around a fireplace, I like to go on long walks, exploring areas around my neighborhood, and enticing others to join me.

In my opinion, there isn't a better, all around, convenient and more perfect exercise. Quick, think of another exercise you can do right now putting on no special gear or requiring a partner (however a walking partner makes it more fun); even running requires special foot gear. Many times I walk in the same shoes I regularly wear. Many people argue that swimming is the more perfect exercise, but the time and effort it takes to get into your swimming gear and driving to the nearest pool defeats the purpose.

A 30 minute daily walk with a gradually increasing pace is a great start to an exercise program that could last a lifetime. My normal starting speed is 120 paces a minute or 2 paces a second (this is most peoples regular walking speed) and usually at the end of my walk (30 min. later) its 140 paces a min. I don't recomend this pace unless your a seasoned walker. I have done 200 paces a min, but only suggest it if you are a speed walker.
Very rarely do I walk for over 30 minutes as the time/benefit factor after a half hour is not much.