Yoga Articles Walking Exercise

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...of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol or "bad" cholesterol and increase levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol or "good" cholesterol. Walking is also known to enable the individual to manage or reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, manage or lose weight, improve one's mood and allow the individual to stay fit and strong. However, before starting with a walking fitness program one should take the necessary preventive steps to protect oneself from various injuries such as muscle pain or blisters on the feet. One should also wear footwear that is comfortable and appropriate for walking. Before walking briskly, one should spend almost five to ten minutes warming up by doing some light stretches which allows the muscles to loosen up especially the quadriceps, calf stretch, side stretch and the hamstring stretch. Those who just start walking for fitness or to lose weight should start slow and easy and walk only as fast as one finds comfortable. It is also essential to maintain the right posture and strides while walking. It is also advisable that those who take up walking as a form of exercise should also try and measure the intensity of the workout by checking their heart rate. This will enable them to accordingly increase or decrease the intensity of the walking according to their heart rate. One should track their fitness levels through walking by setting realistic goals because even a modest amount of walking if done regularly is known to provide health benefits to the individual. Walking for fitness can also become an enjoyable event by inviting ones friend, partner or spouse to join them, which will also ensure that they stay committed to the schedule. One can also stay motivated and stick to the walking program by planning several different routes to walk on so as to add some variety and ensure that there is no monotony that sets in overtime. One should always remember to keep their back as straight as possible while waking with their eyes looking straight ahead and the shoulders pushed back and the abdomen tucked in.

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