If you want to know one of the absolute best ways to improve your overall fitness and achieve great health at 50 and beyond, it is on foot. This low-impact, weight-bearing form of physical activity is something you can do wherever you are and when it’s most convenient for you. Going for a walk is also a great time to get outside and enjoy some fresh air and stellar scenery. All you need to get started is a pair of support well-fitting athletic shoes and a bottle of water to keep you hydrated while you take those steps! Read on to find out exactly what a daily walking habit does to your body after 50, according to science.
Take one walk briskly for 30 minutes each day has extraordinary health benefits. And the more time you spend walking, the better your overall well-being. If you’re wondering what the habit of walking every day after 50 does to your body, the list of benefits is truly endless. Some of the benefits include decreased body fatimproved balance, stronger bones and musclesa decreased risk of stroke and heart disease, and an increase in your endurance and cardiovascular fitness, according to Better Health Channel.
Going for a walk is not only a great stress reliever, it’s also great for your joints, Form reports. It can be quite a social activity, which is always a solid self-care treat. “Walking can lower your stress levels by giving you a break from your daily stressors and helping you become more mindful,” explains the psychotherapist. Courtney Glashow, LCSWfounder of Anchor Therapy LLC (via Form).
Related: Get lean and toned with this 15-minute walking workout
A study of inactive women revealed that minimal weekly exercise markedly improved their fitness.
The more steps you take, the better your overall health. A study of inactive women found that engaging in minimal exercise each week (just 75 minutes) markedly improved each participant’s fitness level, compared to observed non-exercising participants (via the Better Health Channel). Other to study published in the Health Promotion Perspectives Journal found that brisk walking for 10 minutes even faster can improve your mood.
According to Sharon Gam, Ph.D., CSCS, exercise physiologist and certified strength and conditioning coach (via Form), the leg muscles in the front do most of the work when walking uphill, and the leg muscles in the back do most of the work when walking downhill. Building leg strength and endurance generally makes doing all daily activities much easier. Working to improve your leg strength when walking and reducing your risk of health problems increases your ability to live a more independent and confident lifestyle into your 50s and beyond.
alexa mellardo
Alexa is the Mind + Body Associate Editor for Eat This, Not That!, overseeing the M+B channel, and providing readers with engaging topics on fitness, wellness, and personal care. Read more about Alexa
