Go Take a Walk (Really, Do it Now)

For most of us, the way to get started isn’t some new exercise program that “everyone” is doing. It’s not by trying to repeat our old performances in the gym from high school or college. It’s likely not by taking up a sport, or returning to one. It’s the simplest thing: stand up, put on your shoes, and take a walk.

Why is this the place to start? A few reasons. You already know how to do it; you probably do a lot less of it than you once did; it gets you outside (yes, a treadmill is ok if weather or other circumstances dictate it, but outside is better and more enjoyable); you don’t need any special equipment.

It can be stimulating: sounds, sights, smells, etc., that you’re usually cut off from, being indoors. The movement patterns in walking are good for the nervous system. It elevates your heart rate, and lowers your stress. If you sit at a desk a lot, you might be surprised to find yourself walking taller and straighter by the end of your walk than at the start, and that both is good and feels good.

You can bring your earbuds, if you want, and listen to some music, or a podcast, or an audiobook. Just put the phone in your pocket, and leave it there—head up, shoulders back.

Even better, you can bring a friend, or a loved one, and find out what’s going on in their world, and share what’s going on in yours. Or, you can simply enjoy some time with your thoughts.

You can do this the rest of your life, no matter what else you do. If you do it consistently, you’ll be surprised at the improvements to your fitness over time. And if you do take up that much more intense program we mentioned earlier, you’ll have a good start on handling it. You might object, and say that walking isn’t intense enough, but if those other programs were what you need—right now, for where you are in life—you’d probably be doing one of them already.

So, go take a walk. And take another one tomorrow.

Let’s get better together.