When you hear the word “exercise,” what comes to mind? A lot of people instantly imagine someone running in sporty clothes, carrying weights at the gym or doing some intense-looking aerobatics. But there is one kind of exercise we often take for granted; Walking. 

Walking is one of the most common forms of exercising. That’s because you don’t need a special skill or special gym equipment to walk, just put one foot in front of the other and keep it moving!  It is a good way to improve overall health, lose weight and keep fit and the most interesting thing is, almost anybody can do it!. In this article, we will answer the following questions:

• What are the health benefits of walking?
• How much walking is considered sufficient exercise?
• How can I ensure I am taking enough steps in a day, especially during the lockdown?

WHAT ARE THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF WALKING

As simple as it is, walking comes with a lot of benefits which include;

• Heart and lung fitness
• Stronger muscles and bones
• Better balance
• Reduced body fat
• Reduced risk of heart diseases and stroke 
• Improved management of health conditions like high blood pressure,joint and muscular pain, stiffness, diabetes and high cholesterol
• Improved mood

HOW MUCH WALKING IS ENOUGH EXERCISE?

Granted, many of us walk everyday – but the big question is …”ARE YOU WALKING ENOUGH?” If your goal is to keep fit, there is a required number of steps you need to take daily. Research has shown that healthy adults can take between 4,000 to 18,000 steps a day but 10,000 steps (about 5 miles) is a reasonable target for adults.

Okay, I know what you are thinking;  “10,000 steps?? Is that even POSSIBLE?!” Yes, it is! Infact, a lot of people do it.  It is all about being intentional about the number of steps you take, especially during this period when we are encouraged to stay at home. It is so easy to forget to exercise this period and that could be dangerous to your health. So it is important to measure your steps to ensure you are walking enough. 

HOW DO I MEASURE MY STEPS?

Step Counters or Pedometers are a great way to measure steps. They are small devices you wear on your body that count the number of steps you have taken. The motion sensors in this device measure steps by tracking arm and leg movements. They do not only record and store walking activity, but also show the number of calories and fat burned and help you time your walk.

Whether you are simply trying to keep fit or trying to lose weight, using a step counter is a great choice for you. It is also important to wear it well as a badly placed device will give false or inaccurate readings. Make sure you follow the instructions that come with the device and regularly check to ensure it is well placed.

Do not forget to protect yourself if you are permitted to go out for walks. Wear a nose mask properly, maintain social distancing and maintain proper hygiene when you get home. Properly dispose face masks, wash your clothes, wash or sanitize your hands and possibly take a bath, before you come in contact with anyone. This will help you and your household greatly if you were in contact with an infected person.  Also make sure you strengthen your immune system with immune boosters like Nature’s Field Vitamin C, Immunace and Reload Immunity.

Here are some products that can help; https://victorydrugs.com.ng/product-category/devices/step-counters/

Lastly, drop a comment, share your experience and let us know what you think!

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Disclaimer: Please note that this information should not take the place of your doctor’s advice. Victory drugs is not liable for any action you take as a result of reading this article.