May is national walking week, with the weather finally improving there no better time to start walking more! Here is a blog about walking and the benefits it brings us to help motivate you!
Its well accepted that exercise in whatever form is good for everyone, most people think that exercise involves playing a sport or going to the gym and really getting a sweat on. And for this reason walking is often overlooked as a form of exercise, but its probably the best way to start exercising or to exercise more!
Walking gives us so many health benefits and is such an easy way to be more active and burn more calories. Its also FREE and simple as there is no equipment or new skills to learn. Just get some footwear on and get out and walk, even if its round the block for 5 minutes every so often, something is better than nothing! But I would also recommend going further afield, we are so lucky living in North Devon with so many scenic walks, be it on the coasts or in Exmoor! So here are some further tips to help you get on your feet and start walking.
Tips to help make walking fun, enjoyable and pain free
1. Slowly build up how much you walk
A big mistake people make when committing to exercise (including walking) is to go from zero to hundred and they soon pick up injuries, then motivation and enjoyment quickly goes and they go back to zero. To reduce chances of getting aches and pains and even injury is to be honest with where you are at now and slowly build up how much you walk. This is where watches with which record steps can come in handy, or just adding a 10 minute walk a day extra can be a good start and then start go on longer walks in time.
2. Wear decent footwear
If you aren’t supporting your feet with good, robust footwear you may be making things more difficult for yourself. Footwear is a great tool to help your feet to work as efficiently as possible, to reduce fatigue and the possibility of a muscular injury. A shoe with good width, a roomy toe box and some sort of fastening such as laces are recommended and of course that fit well in general. Walking shoes or boots or trainers are probably the best type of shoes to look around at.
3. Look after your feet and listen to your body
We have already covered footwear, but one thing to be aware of especially in this warmer weather is that it can be a breeding ground for fungus and that may enter your skin or nails especially if they are damp from sweat (Or rain). Mix up the footwear you wear and always wear freshly washed socks, you can also use athletes foot sprays in-between walks. Another issue that could occur with walking is developing blisters, getting well fitted footwear and wearing correct socks with natural fibres can reduce the risk of blisters.
So that’s it, get some decent footwear on and get out and enjoy North Devon with a good walk. Don’t forget if you are having issues with your feet that may be preventing you from enjoying a good walk then as your local podiatrist we may be able to help. Book an appointment here
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