Today is National Start Walking Day , and when NutraOrigin asked me to contribute a short piece for their blog – I took a walk.

I’m a walker.  There I said it.  There was a time in my life not too long ago when I would not have easily admitted to this fact.

1. It wasn’t true :o )

2.  Somewhat of a  gym snob – I would not have thought “just walking” would give me the intense – rev up your heart rate type of cardio benefit – that say biking or even an intense elliptical session would provide. So why bother?

When a series of unexpected life events resulted in a change of location – with no gym membership or my beloved spin classes in the immediate vicinity, I looked to the great outdoors to become my new fitness facility.  At first, I began walking the neighborhood with my 14 year old Labrador to do his “business” and as a way to become more familiar with the area.  From there, I started walking at a nearby beach which provided an amazing view and a more intense hike due to the dunes and rocky terrain.  And guess what else… a pretty high heart rate and a number of other unexpected benefits.

Why do I  love walking now?

  1. No excuses.  On any given day, I can usually count on being able to put one foot in front of the other.  That is really all it takes.  No matter where I am, how I feel, what other things I need to get done – walking fits.
  2. Mood Lifter.  No matter how stressed I am (about something probably not all that important), by the time I am done with my walk I feel better – mentally.  Call it endorphins, or “walkers high” – but I have been known to return to my car or home singing after an intense OR leisurely stroll.
  3. Versatility.  You can make your walk what you want it to be.  Intense heart pounding, arms pumping, fast, hill climbing or a slower pace/longer duration.  You can multi-task during your walk (talking to your mother-in-law or teenager while walking actually does help to increase your heart rate!).  Mall walking is now infamous, as well as making your destination part of your social plans.  You can walk alone when you need solitude or with friends if you crave companionship.
  4. I get to eat more.  No kidding.  When I reviewed what has changed in my life over the last year to determine why I have been losing a few pounds – the only thing I could come up with is my daily walking routines.
  5. Problem solver.  Try this:  If you have an issue that you need to resolve, think about it intensely before and casually while you are walking.  See if you don’t come back from your walk with at least one good solution.
  6. It is FREE.  In these times, who doesn’t love FREE?  No gear, no special outfits, no training, no membership fees.  Just get out there and do it.

More information on National Start Walking Day on the American Heart Association website here

Lori Olsen is Senior Director, Marketing for NutraOrigin. She has over 20 years of marketing experience specializing in customer acquisition and revenue generation for consumer businesses through online and offline media.  She has a passion for healthy living and has worked in the natural supplement business for 5 years.  Formerly from Long Island, NY, she can now be found power walking the beaches of Central Florida.

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