Hi Everyone,
Saturday was a busy day for me. Busy included walking. I have to tell you, it was HOT! I was smart enough to make a pit stop at home and grab a bottle of water in between errands though.
One thing I noticed is that there were few people walking. At first I thought it was because of the heat but then I thought back and realized that I rarely see people walking even on cool days. I found this interesting. This is what I mean.
At least once a week, some talk show will have a segment on losing weight. A new diet will be introduced usually in the form of a book, followed by some new exercise tips. Everyone in the audience will listen intently. Some will be literally sitting on the edge of their seats as they strain to hear the latest way for them to lose weight. Everyone in the audience, whether they’ve been paying close attention or not, will go home with a FREE copy of whatever book. Everyone cheers and some stand up while doing so.
But the one thing that I don’t think people realize is that walking is the best form of exercise there is. It’s easy on your body as it increases your heart rate. And the best thing about walking is not only that it’s the best form of exercise, it’s free, you can decide how long you want to walk and where, at what speed and at what time of the day.
A lot of shopping malls even open their doors early all year round, so people can walk the mall and become, “mall walkers.” This comes in handy during inclement weather! Since shopping malls are always trying to pry money out of pockets, they are also open long hours. If you feel like you are getting tired, then just sit on a bench, or take a break in the food court. I would suggest to strongly refraining from buying something in the food court though.
I am telling you this because one day I was speaking with a young woman from Romania. We are about the same height and she said to me that she used to be around my weight. I asked her when she started gaining weight. She said when she moved to North America. Then I asked her if she still walked as much here in Canada, as she did when she lived in Romania. Her answer was no. Now she is sitting in a car more was her reply. I also asked her if she has been eating more fast food. She said she was. That’s when I told her that her lack of walking coupled with her new fast food “diet” are what had her gaining weight.
I know this because I’ve watched European talk shows when I lived there. That’s exactly why I asked the young woman the questions that I did. While North American talk shows have segments on new diets and exercises, European talk shows have segments with parents talking about all the weight their children gained while living in North America due to their, “North American lifestyle,” which included eating fast food. (Actually, a lot of countries are experiencing growing numbers of obesity due to their increase in fast food restaurants.)
If you are trying to lose weight I suggest that you start walking more. Take a bottle of water with you if it’s hot outside though. If you really want to lose weight, and make the best use of your time, walk during the hottest time of the day. Like between 9 am to 4 pm. That way, you’ll sweat a lot thereby, burning more calories in the process.
Walk in the winter too. When I would walk to the bus stop wearing my Sorel boots, which weighed a TONNE, I swore I burned off my breakfast by the time I got there. I must of too because I lost weight. Winter may have had me losing weight, but the opposite is true for most people. Generally, winter is the time of year when people gain weight. So there’s your head’s up if you didn’t already know.
Losing weight is not easy. I get that. Walking is the best form of exercise and you have all the control. If given the choice, walk outside. Physiologically, walking outside is the best. This is especially true since nature has a way of decreasing any forms of depression, which of a lot people trying to lose weight experience. I know people with beautiful cars and they just like me walk everywhere they can.
If you decide to start this great habit now, you’ll keep it during the colder months. That’s all I’ve got to say about the benefits of walking.
Thank you for reading, A. Rebel’s Rant! ;D
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