I recently had back surgery and my surgeon cleared me post-op to walk as much as I wanted to but NOT do any more impactful exercising such as running, biking, elliptical machine, etc. UntiI had my back flare/surgery, I was vigorously working out on the basement elliptical 90 minutes a day burning off over 1000 calories each session. I was fearful that in my “only walking” phase, I would gain weight given the caloric burn-off of walking per hour is much less than other exercises.
Much to my surprise, my weight has gone down with the walking despite eating/drinking the same things I did before surgery. This gave me pause to think about the other health benefits of walking. This list will include:
Cardiovascular Health:
- Reduces risk of heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure
- Improves blood circulation and oxygen delivery to the body
Weight Management:
- Burns calories and helps maintain a healthy weight
- Increases metabolism and promotes fat loss
Musculoskeletal Health:
- Strengthens muscles in the legs, core, and back
- Improves bone density and reduces risk of osteoporosis
- Enhances balance and coordination
Mental Health: Reduces stress and anxiety, Boosts mood and improves overall well-being, and Enhances cognitive function and memory.
Other Benefits: Lowers risk of type 2 diabetes, Improves digestion and reduces constipation, Reduces risk of certain types of cancer, Increases energy levels, and promotes creativity and problem-solving skills.
Unlike other high-impact exercises, there is also much less wear and tear of the muscles and joints with walking.
The bottom line: You do NOT need to bust your chops, pound the pavement and sweat like crazy to improve your health via exercising. Walking is great! (Especially if you have boots…ask Nancy Sinatra)
