Walking and running are two of the most popular forms of physical activity. While both activities offer health benefits, there are key differences between them that make walking a more beneficial form of exercise. Walking is a low-impact activity that can help improve your cardiovascular health, reduce stress and anxiety, and strengthen your bones and muscles. It also has the potential to help you lose weight or maintain a healthy weight. On the other hand, running is a high-impact activity that can provide more intense fitness benefits, but also an increased risk of injury. This article will explore the differences between walking and running in terms of their health benefits, fitness benefits, and safety considerations.

Walking is an easy, low-impact exercise that can have a huge impact on your physical health. It is considered an aerobic exercise, meaning it increases your heart rate and helps you burn calories. According to the physical activity guidelines for adults, walking for at least 150 minutes per week is recommended for good health. This can be divided into smaller chunks of time, such as 30 minutes a day for five days or 10 minutes three times a day.
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Walking has many benefits beyond just calorie burning. It can help improve your cardiovascular health by reducing blood pressure and cholesterol levels, as well as strengthening bones and muscles. Additionally, it can help reduce stress and anxiety levels, while increasing energy levels and improving mood.

Taking a walk can be one of the most beneficial activities for both your mental and emotional health. Walking has been shown to reduce stress, improve mood, and boost mental clarity. It can also help relax and provide an outlet for creative thinking. By taking regular walks, you can improve your well-being and gain peace in your life.

This low-impact form of exercise can help you improve your fitness level, reduce your risk of chronic diseases, and even help you manage stress. Getting started with a walking exercise program can be intimidating, but there are some best practices that can help make the process easier. From figuring out how much you should walk each day to finding creative ways to fit more walking into your day, this article will provide tips for getting started with a successful walking program.

Aim to walk 5 days a week more when your body is conditioned to do so three to four weeks down the line from when you start. Start with a 5 minute warm up, which increases gently, a leisurely pace walk just to get the body ready for the next phase. Then up the pace, so you can feel a deeper breath going in and out. You won’t have to do too much to feel this happening. Remember, keep it slow, in other words, don’t push yourself too hard to start. We want your body to become accustomed to you exercising. Pushing yourself too much too soon, as so many do, will only lead to injury, pain and discomfort, resulting in you not wanting to exercise at all.
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​Just walk at a pace that’s comfortable for you. Walking at this pace is where the magic happens. Your heart rate increases as does your blood pressure, and your body starts to metabolise its energy resources. The benefits of this over a sustained period will lead to both physical and well-being benefits. We aim to do this for approximately 8 to 10 minutes. If you need to bring it down to 5 minutes, do so. Remember, you're not in a race, you're wanting to get fitter and healthier. Just take your time and use it wisely. After 10 minutes, bring the pace down slowly over a 5 minute period until you're strolling. Do this for another 5 minutes, then you're done.

But, if you want to maximise the benefits of your walks, it's important to pay attention to your nutrition. Eating the right foods before and after a walk can help you get the most out of it. Here are some nutrition tips to help you get started.
Don’t eat 2 hours before exercising, especially if doing cardio. Why, because the blood in your body will want to digest the food in your stomach. Reducing the amount of oxygenated blood your body can use to exercise. The consequences will be you throwing most of it back up, as your body expels what's in your stomach to deliver more blood for your body to exercise with.

​Your body needs a good source of slow release energy to exercise for longer periods, like walking or running. Having something with high levels of sugar in it will only give you that quick spurt of vitality, followed normally by an energy slump. Eat whole grains like multi seed or brown bread with low fat cheese, spread, or porridge with blueberries and walnuts, or a slice of toast with a smashed banana and almond butter. Remember, we need to feed the body with energy, not overwhelm it.

It can help improve your physical and mental health, reduce stress and anxiety, strengthen your heart, build stronger bones, and even help you lose weight. Taking advantage of the fitness and health benefits of walking today is a great way to start living a healthier lifestyle. With regular walking, you can take control of your physical health while improving your well-being. So start walking today!