It’s a Woman’s World: Walking remains the ultimate exercise

These days, countless exercise trends might leave you confused about just where to start. Should you join a gym, find an exercise buddy or participate in group aerobics? Once you choose your workout, how long should you exercise, and at what exertion level?

Conflicting opinions abound, but a new study reveals that one method of exercise — walking — can help you reach your goals, whether they are losing weight, reducing your blood pressure and risk of cardiovascular disease, or eliminating joint problems.

“Getting out there and taking a walk is what it’s all about,” says James Levine, M.D., Ph.D., and a Mayo Clinic expert on obesity. “You don’t have to join a gym; you don’t have to check your pulse. You just have to switch off the TV, get off the sofa and go for a walk.”

Levine’s article in the latest issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings is based on a study by Japanese physicians, which revealed that high-intensity interval walking can protect older adults against high blood pressure and decreased muscle strength.

The results of this study support the argument that walking is a legitimate, effective form of exercise, and it can be particularly useful for overweight or obese people who are just beginning an exercise regimen.

Plus, walking is accessible to everyone, and it doesn’t require membership fees or a personal trainer. And with the weather cooling down, an evening walk around the neighborhood can serve as a great excuse to get out and enjoy the cooler temperatures.

“Sitting is bad for cholesterol; it’s bad for your back and muscles,” Levine says. “It’s such a terrible thing for our bodies to do, and the less of it you do, the better.”

So, tie up your tennis shoes, and get walking.