Walking – It’s something every parent wants their child to do sooner, rather than later.
We are engineered to walk, and for long distances.
Our hunter-gatherer ancestors would walk for hours in search of food and shelter. And, our ability to walk is what allowed us to conquer the planet.
“Walking is this astonishing superpower that all humans have.”__Shane O’Mara (neuroscientist and author of In Praise of Walking)
Evolution has constructed us to walk lots, from early in life (16-17 months of age) through late in life (80s–90s).
“We can do very, very well for long distances and for long periods of time.”__ Shane O’Mara
“We’ve engineered a society that mitigates against it.”__Shane O’Mara
Most of us no longer live in a society that facilitates human movement. Over the last century, we’ve designed our environment around the motor vehicle. Roads, highways, parkways, driveways, bridges, parking lots and garages. All were designed for the automobile.
The opportunities for us to walk are fewer and fewer. Unless you live in a big city, like New York, where I used to live. Walking has to be put on your calendar as something to do, rather than just part of your day.
When I lived and worked in NYC, I would average 7 miles a day. Now, here in Charlotte, I have to schedule between 3 – 4 miles a day.
I’ll walk 2 miles each morning before breakfast and another 1 – 2 miles after dinner. That’s just to get in 7,500-10,000 steps. That may seem like a lot to someone who’s not walking at all, but even 10,000 steps is just about 5 miles, and that’s less than I did for more than 17 years.
Bye The Way….
The 10,000 steps a day recommendation doesn’t really have any hard science behind it, but it makes a good barometer for most people to strive for. Nowadays, you can track your steps with activity trackers and smartwatches. It’s easy and fun to do.
Lowered blood pressure
Improved mood
Reduced risk of chronic disease
Improved sleep
Improved brain function
Better digestion
Protect your bones
The Ancient Philosophers Said…..
- “We should take wandering outdoor walks, Seneca advised, so that the mind might be nourished and refreshed by the open air and deep breathing.”
- “Walking is man’s best medicine.”__Hippocrates
- Kierkegaard wrote a letter to his depressed sister-in-law. He said, “Above all – do not lose your desire to walk.” “Every day, I want to put myself into a state of well-being and walk away from illness. I have walked myself into my best thoughts.“
Brett’s Bottom Line:
Walking is one of the simplest, most accessible, and effective ways to lose weight and tone your body. Unlike high-impact workouts that can strain your joints, walking is gentle, making it suitable for all fitness levels. But don’t mistake simplicity for ineffectiveness—when done strategically, walking can help you shed pounds, improve your cardiovascular health, and boost your overall well-being.
The key to a successful walking routine lies in structure and consistency. By gradually increasing your intensity, incorporating intervals, and adding variety, you can transform a simple stroll into a calorie-burning workout. Walking not only burns calories but also strengthens your legs, engages your core, and can even improve your posture when done correctly. Combined with a balanced diet, this plan can help you achieve a slimmer, healthier body in just four weeks.
- The Buddhists talked of walking meditation. That meditation wasn’t something you did just while you were sitting, but while walking through a beautiful forest, or walking near the ocean. It doesn’t really matter, but you gotta get moving!
Take A Walk!