Walking is one of thehealthiestand most accessible ways to move your body. It can improve blood sugar, boost your heart health and can evenhelp you live longer. One study found thatwalking just three times per weekcould significantly reduce dementia risk, too. Best of all, walking is totally free, requires no gym and can take as much or as little time as you have to spend. That said, there are a few things that can prevent you from making the most of your walk. Here are the top five mistakes you’re making when walking and how to fix them.1. Bad FormSure, many of us learn to walk when we are so young we can’t really remember it and we probably haven’t thought about it much since. However, your walking form deserves some attention, whether you are walking for exercise or just casually. We have a fewsimple tips for walking according to a barre instructor, and the fundamentals are front and center. Be sure to roll your foot from heel to toe, and keep your feet hip width apart. Engage your core, keep your shoulders back and look forward to ensure your posture helps you get the most from your walk.2. Wrong ShoesThe older I get, the more and more I realize the importance of supportive footwear. Making sure you have the right shoes is crucial for preventing injury and feeling your best, especially if you are trying to walk more. Not only is having the correct size important, but it is also important to consider the arch of your foot and what will be most comfortable for you. It is always a good idea to get input from your doctor or podiatrist before starting a new activity like walking, or if you are experiencing foot pain from increased walking. Check out theseven best walking shoes for women, according to podiatrists.Adobe Stock / chocobluesky193. Not Considering It a WorkoutThough sometimes it’s just a way to get from point A to point B, walking is a great way to move your body. Even if it’s only for a few minutes between a meeting, walking is definitely a form of exercise especially if you do it with intention. It can even help with weight loss if that is your goal, but consistency is key. We have thiswalking plan for weight lossto help you get started.4. Going Too SlowSure, a leisurely walk around the neighborhood or trail can be very relaxing. But sometimes it is worthwhile to up the pace. In order for walking to become like an exercise, you have get to get your heart rate elevated. For the average person, amoderate walking paceis about four miles per hour, or 15 minutes per mile. This can vary a little bit depending on the terrain you are walking on.Researchhas also shown that walking at a faster pace can help increase life expectancy. That doesn’t mean there is no place for a slow saunter in your routine. However, there are health reasons to pick up the pace on some of your walks if you typically walk more slowly.5. Not Counting All of Your StepsFor many of us, time is a hot commodity. As schedules begin to fill back up, it can be hard to find time for a full-fledged workout. Luckily, little bits throughout the day can add up. During the time I was working at home, I would go for walks between meetings or even just around the block for a few minutes at a time. TheWorld Health Organizationrecommends 150 minutes of exercise per week, which is roughly 30 minutes for five days a week. Several walks for just five or ten minutes a piece can help you fit in movement on even the busiest of days.Bottom LineWalking is a great way to move, and is underrated for the health benefits it can provide. From boosting heart health to improving longevity and more, there are so many reasons to lace up your sneakers and get outside. It can even lead to weight loss, if that is your goal. That said, these small tweaks can go a long way in helping you get the most from your walks. So grab your sneakers and get moving!Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!Tell us why!OtherSubmit
Walking is one of thehealthiestand most accessible ways to move your body. It can improve blood sugar, boost your heart health and can evenhelp you live longer. One study found thatwalking just three times per weekcould significantly reduce dementia risk, too. Best of all, walking is totally free, requires no gym and can take as much or as little time as you have to spend. That said, there are a few things that can prevent you from making the most of your walk. Here are the top five mistakes you’re making when walking and how to fix them.1. Bad FormSure, many of us learn to walk when we are so young we can’t really remember it and we probably haven’t thought about it much since. However, your walking form deserves some attention, whether you are walking for exercise or just casually. We have a fewsimple tips for walking according to a barre instructor, and the fundamentals are front and center. Be sure to roll your foot from heel to toe, and keep your feet hip width apart. Engage your core, keep your shoulders back and look forward to ensure your posture helps you get the most from your walk.2. Wrong ShoesThe older I get, the more and more I realize the importance of supportive footwear. Making sure you have the right shoes is crucial for preventing injury and feeling your best, especially if you are trying to walk more. Not only is having the correct size important, but it is also important to consider the arch of your foot and what will be most comfortable for you. It is always a good idea to get input from your doctor or podiatrist before starting a new activity like walking, or if you are experiencing foot pain from increased walking. Check out theseven best walking shoes for women, according to podiatrists.Adobe Stock / chocobluesky193. Not Considering It a WorkoutThough sometimes it’s just a way to get from point A to point B, walking is a great way to move your body. Even if it’s only for a few minutes between a meeting, walking is definitely a form of exercise especially if you do it with intention. It can even help with weight loss if that is your goal, but consistency is key. We have thiswalking plan for weight lossto help you get started.4. Going Too SlowSure, a leisurely walk around the neighborhood or trail can be very relaxing. But sometimes it is worthwhile to up the pace. In order for walking to become like an exercise, you have get to get your heart rate elevated. For the average person, amoderate walking paceis about four miles per hour, or 15 minutes per mile. This can vary a little bit depending on the terrain you are walking on.Researchhas also shown that walking at a faster pace can help increase life expectancy. That doesn’t mean there is no place for a slow saunter in your routine. However, there are health reasons to pick up the pace on some of your walks if you typically walk more slowly.5. Not Counting All of Your StepsFor many of us, time is a hot commodity. As schedules begin to fill back up, it can be hard to find time for a full-fledged workout. Luckily, little bits throughout the day can add up. During the time I was working at home, I would go for walks between meetings or even just around the block for a few minutes at a time. TheWorld Health Organizationrecommends 150 minutes of exercise per week, which is roughly 30 minutes for five days a week. Several walks for just five or ten minutes a piece can help you fit in movement on even the busiest of days.Bottom LineWalking is a great way to move, and is underrated for the health benefits it can provide. From boosting heart health to improving longevity and more, there are so many reasons to lace up your sneakers and get outside. It can even lead to weight loss, if that is your goal. That said, these small tweaks can go a long way in helping you get the most from your walks. So grab your sneakers and get moving!
Walking is one of thehealthiestand most accessible ways to move your body. It can improve blood sugar, boost your heart health and can evenhelp you live longer. One study found thatwalking just three times per weekcould significantly reduce dementia risk, too. Best of all, walking is totally free, requires no gym and can take as much or as little time as you have to spend. That said, there are a few things that can prevent you from making the most of your walk. Here are the top five mistakes you’re making when walking and how to fix them.
1. Bad Form
Sure, many of us learn to walk when we are so young we can’t really remember it and we probably haven’t thought about it much since. However, your walking form deserves some attention, whether you are walking for exercise or just casually. We have a fewsimple tips for walking according to a barre instructor, and the fundamentals are front and center. Be sure to roll your foot from heel to toe, and keep your feet hip width apart. Engage your core, keep your shoulders back and look forward to ensure your posture helps you get the most from your walk.
2. Wrong Shoes
The older I get, the more and more I realize the importance of supportive footwear. Making sure you have the right shoes is crucial for preventing injury and feeling your best, especially if you are trying to walk more. Not only is having the correct size important, but it is also important to consider the arch of your foot and what will be most comfortable for you. It is always a good idea to get input from your doctor or podiatrist before starting a new activity like walking, or if you are experiencing foot pain from increased walking. Check out theseven best walking shoes for women, according to podiatrists.
Adobe Stock / chocobluesky19
3. Not Considering It a Workout
Though sometimes it’s just a way to get from point A to point B, walking is a great way to move your body. Even if it’s only for a few minutes between a meeting, walking is definitely a form of exercise especially if you do it with intention. It can even help with weight loss if that is your goal, but consistency is key. We have thiswalking plan for weight lossto help you get started.
4. Going Too Slow
Sure, a leisurely walk around the neighborhood or trail can be very relaxing. But sometimes it is worthwhile to up the pace. In order for walking to become like an exercise, you have get to get your heart rate elevated. For the average person, amoderate walking paceis about four miles per hour, or 15 minutes per mile. This can vary a little bit depending on the terrain you are walking on.Researchhas also shown that walking at a faster pace can help increase life expectancy. That doesn’t mean there is no place for a slow saunter in your routine. However, there are health reasons to pick up the pace on some of your walks if you typically walk more slowly.
5. Not Counting All of Your Steps
For many of us, time is a hot commodity. As schedules begin to fill back up, it can be hard to find time for a full-fledged workout. Luckily, little bits throughout the day can add up. During the time I was working at home, I would go for walks between meetings or even just around the block for a few minutes at a time. TheWorld Health Organizationrecommends 150 minutes of exercise per week, which is roughly 30 minutes for five days a week. Several walks for just five or ten minutes a piece can help you fit in movement on even the busiest of days.
Bottom Line
Walking is a great way to move, and is underrated for the health benefits it can provide. From boosting heart health to improving longevity and more, there are so many reasons to lace up your sneakers and get outside. It can even lead to weight loss, if that is your goal. That said, these small tweaks can go a long way in helping you get the most from your walks. So grab your sneakers and get moving!
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