Summer officially began on Sunday, June 21, and with this new season comes a new opportunity to get in shape.
Whether you’ve fallen off the workout wagon countless times before or want to climb on board for the first time, today we want to discuss how everyone can enjoy the benefits of walking and running!
Both exercises offer numerous health benefits, ranging from increased physical fitness to an enhanced sense of overall well-being.
The choice of whether to walk or run depends on your health situation and your doctor’s approval to participate in physical activity. However, it’s good to know that both forms of exercise can help you maintain a healthy weight and ward off diseases all the while improving wellness.
Let’s begin with the benefits of walking:
According to the American Heart Association, walking can reduce the risk of breast cancer, colon cancer, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and osteoporosis. Not to mention it can also help improve blood sugar levels and high blood pressure. Walking can also help strengthen your bones and improve balance and coordination.
Because it’s low impact, walking is one of the safest forms of physical activity, and can help to release endorphins that enhance mood and concentration levels.
Now, if you aren’t new to fitness and are able to participate in myriad physical exercises, running may be something to consider adding to your fitness regimen.
The benefits of running are plentiful. Research shows that running can actually increase your levels of good cholesterol and improve your lung function. Running can also lower your risk of developing blood clots and breast cancer. Many doctors recommend running for people who have just been diagnosed with diabetes, high blood pressure and osteoporosis.
Both walking and running are excellent aerobic exercises. Both will promote weight loss, and elevate mood, and have the potential to decrease blood pressure and the risk of cancer, diabetes and heart disease.
Remember the best workout is one that you will do regularly. So choose the exercise that you enjoy, which meets your needs and is approved by your physician.
Sources:
http://www.livestrong.com/article/500379-what-are-the-benefits-of-walking-and-running/
