When the word exercise is mentioned, a lot of people tend to begin thinking about long and hard hours spent at the gym. What we need to remind ourselves is that exercise doesn’t have to be dreadful and there are hundreds of ways to get a few minutes in each day. Ever thought about just simply walking for exercise? The benefits for walking are extensive, ranging from improving blood pressure and sugar to easing anxiety and arthritis pain. As today is National Walking Day, there’s never been a better time to put one foot in front of the other.
The list goes on and go, but for some reason we still find excuses to not go out for a walk. One of those excuses might be the poor weather. So what can we do about it? Check out an at-home walking DVD. Fitness experts like Leslie Sansone and Jessica Smith have given you excellent options in their new DVDs.
Walking DVDs give you no excuse for missing a 20-minute walk. With these programs, all you need is a little floor space and a few minutes before getting ready for work in the mornings. Not only will getting a quick and simple walk in at the beginning of your day rev up your metabolism, but it’ll also give you more energy to take on your crazy schedule. Think about it, has there ever been a time where you actually regretted a workout? And the bonus with these DVDs is the little time required to make it happen!
Walking for Weight Loss, Wellness, and Energy 
By: Jessica Smith, author of Thin In 10
Ideal for: Beginners, Injury Recovery
Pro: No equipment necessary
Con: Little rest time between activities
What You Get: Two 30-minute walking exercises, each with a five-minute warm up and cool down. The High Energy Walk is easier and made to maintain a higher heart rate while building endurance. The Power Walk is more intense with intervals mixing power walks with jogging resulting in greater calorie burn.
Belly Blasting Walk By: Leslie Sansone, a 25-year fitness industry expert
Ideal for: Beginner to moderate exercisers
Pro: Improves core strength and posture
Con: Lengthy two-mile walk inside your home may be boring
What You Get: This 53-minute workout is mostly consumed by a two-mile walk in which you’re encouraged to keep pace with the music. When that is complete after 30 minutes, you’ll move to floor work to tone and tighten your midsection through leg kicks, bicycle crunches, leg lifts, supermans, push-ups, planks and other body weight movements.
If you’re just starting a workout regimen of your own, but don’t feel comfortable taking it on entirely on your own, then either DVD from Jessica or Leslie will be an excellent place to start. Their expertise will help you understand why you’re doing what you’re doing, and soon you’ll be ready to take on power walks in the fresh air and warm sunshine.
Need more convincing why you should walk each day? Here are just 12 of the many reasons to make this beneficial activity a priority in your day, every day.
- Improves blood pressure levels
- Improves the blood lipid profile
- Improves blood sugar levels
- Reduces the risk of heart disease
- Reduces the risk of obesity
- Reduces the risk of osteoporosis
- Helps keep your bones, muscle and joints healthy
- Reduces stress levels
- Increases self esteem
- Improves sleep
- Reduces anxiety and depression
- Helps control join swelling and arthritis pains
Also Read:
Dr. Travis Stork Prescribes the Simplicity of Walking for Heart Health