Turn Your Walk Into A Workout

Walk Into A Workout

Walk Into A Workout
Turn A Walk Into A Workout

If you do it right, there are simple ways you can turn your walk into a workout.

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I like to exercise. Since I am sliding into midlife, it has become more important than ever. Keeping fit isn’t as easy as it used to be.

My exercise of choice usually happens outside; preferably surfing or running. I like to sweat, get my heart pumping, and I like to have sore muscles the next day. This is how I know I have had a good work out.

When I’m not able to surf or run, there are easy ways to turn a walk into a workout.

A true workout walk can be good for your heart and your soul. It literally improves heart health and is equally good for your mind. I always feel like I can solve the world’s problems after a good workout.

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Here are simple ways you can turn a walk into a work out.
  • If you’re near the beach, walk on sand. This adds a level of difficulty and improves your work out. If however, your knees are bipolar as mine are, walk on sand with caution. Listen to your body, if you feel a weird tweak, get back on the pavement.
  • Walk through neighborhoods with hills. Even streets with slight inclines will work different leg muscles and increase the difficulty of your walk.
  • Walk at a pace that makes you huff and puff. Going out for a stroll is relaxing and beneficial in other ways  (stress release) but on this walk, we need more. Pick up the pace.
  • Get your arms moving in time with your stride.
  • Try brisk walking or running for 30 second/ one minute intervals. Go as long as you feel you can. This gets your heart pumping and increases the aerobic workout.
  • If you walk on a track, make a commitment to walk the curves and jog the straight aways.
  • While your walking, do reps of lunges, jump ups, standing side crunches, and squats. Find a planter or bench you can use for step ups and tricep dips. You can even find a grassy spot to get down and do push ups or hold a thirty second plank.
  • Take your iPod with a playlist of music that gets you moving. Set your pace to the beat.
  • Walk with friends who share your pace and exercise goals.

Spending 30-45 minutes several times a week doing a brisk walk workout with some tweaks from the above list will improve your mental state as well as keep your fitness goals on track.

Do you have any exercise hacks for turning a walk into a workout? I’d love to hear them in the comments.

Salty Kisses,

Karen

 

Photo: Stockvault


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