The next time you’re at the park, taking that walk, don’t let the runners sneer at you. My only guess is that they haven’t read about the latest study conducted by the Washington University School of Medicine, which has been reported by NaturalSPORT. According to the study, if you are walking at the speed of 4.5 mph or faster; you would end up expending energy which is higher than running at around the same speed. Great news isn’t it!
If you walk faster over the same distance, you will end up spending more calories than you will if you walk slower over the same distance. The results indicate that if a person increases his/her speed of walking, it would end up helping him/her in spending around 33% more calories.
Walking Correct –
Very funnily, people associate injuries only with those who exercise in the gyms or who are athletes. But did you know that you could injure yourself or do your body harm even if you were walking wrong?
While walking may be a great way to change your body shape and size for the better, it does help to have good form. If you stand properly and stride properly, you could end up burning a lot more calories, while you work on the ‘right’ muscles.
A flawless form while walking could keep you safe from injury and would steer you in the right direction. Keep these guidelines in mind and you’ll do well with every working workout.
Shoulders, chest, and head
Ensure that your head is straight up while you walk; and it should be centered between your shoulders. End up focusing your eyes straight up ahead. Place your shoulders back; and downwards. If your gait is correct, your chest should automatically be lifted in a natural pose; almost as if there was a string attaching it to the center of your body which makes it gently pulled upwards.- Hands and Arms
Make sure that your arms are bent at a 90 degree angle. Keep swinging them back and forth while you walk; and do NOT swing them from side to side. Keep your hands close to your body while you walk; and keep the hands loosely cupped. Imagine you’re holding a butterfly – you don’t want to let her escape; but then again, you don’t want to crush her. - Breathing and Rate of Heartbeats
While you’re walking, it is natural for your breathing to be loud; but the trick is to keep the breathing steady. Your heart will be thumping against your chest; but keep the beats regular and steady. - Feet, thighs and hips
End up powering your movements while you walk from your hips. Do not power them from your thighs, as this would be completely wrong for your walking posture. Keep your hips as loose and natural as they can be. Fast and shorter strides will let you walk naturally and will seem less awkward. Leave the longer strides for the tallies. Ensure that you land on your heels every time; and use your toes to push off the ground yet again. Imagine yourself as planting your heel on the floor and then ‘pushing yourself off the ground’ or ‘pushing the ground away from you’ while you roll through your foot. - Abdominals
While you walk, ensure that your belly button is gently tucked in, in the direction of your spine. Tuck the pelvis forward so that you feel taller, more stable and oh-so-upright.
Always remember- it isn’t always about walking only; it is about walking right!
There isnot enough exercise in this way of life. I try to make it up by active gymnastics before I dress up when I get up, by walking rapidly in the lower hall and the greenhouse after each meal, perhaps for ten to fifteen minutes and a good hand rubbing before going to bed. I eat moderately, drink one cup of coffee at breakfast and a cup of tea at lunch and no other stimulant.My health is now, and usually excellent.
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease and infirmity.