Sitcoms vs. Steps from Walking

Evolutionary evidence will point to the fact that humans oldest and most natural mode of transportation is walking.  In fact walking seems to be one of the easiest and most forgotten methods to a healthy lifestyle.  Some say it's a lost art.  During the Paleolithic era, humans would walk on average 10 miles (16km) per day.  Imagine how much of a positive effect that would have on your health!  Walking regularly is a small and easy step (pun intended!) in the right direction to taking control of your health.  An easy contrast would be to ask this question: Is your 22 min sitcom, which you will most likely watch on your couch, worth more than a 22 minute walk that will provide you with a multitude of health benefits beyond just losing weight?  Let's get a little deeper to round out this topic. 

I believe that many people will benefit from exercising less overall.  Unless you have a very sedentary lifestyle, you are probably at the gym 4-5 times a week grinding away on a cardio machine or treadmill trying to burn fat off your body.  Truth is, it's not going to work as a consistent way to keep weight off and maintain healthy longevity.  This is because if you are exercising at high intensity for more than 30-35 mins a day your body creates extra cortisol (the hormone released when the body is under stress) which can negatively impact your health.  You become a slave to the concept of chronic cardio as mentioned by Mark Sisson.  The point here - walk more often. 

So what about the health benefits to be gained from a 20-30 min walk twice or thrice a week.  For starters, you are moving in a functional fashion like your body was meant to do.  Walking uses nearly all your muscular tissue collectively including, legs, hips, back, abs, and even arms as you swing them back and forth to maintain momentum.  Second, being outside is stimulating for humans at a very primal level.  Breathing the fresh air, smelling the trees, and seeing nature in its purest form allows your body to connect with its roots in a subliminal way.  In addition here some additional benefits of walking as mentioned by the mayo clinic: 

• Maintaining a healthy weight 
• Prevent or manage various conditions, including heart disease, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes 
• Strengthen your bones 
• Lift your mood 
• Improve your balance and coordination 

Depending on the weather and where you live, you may have to use a treadmill, but any walking is better than no walking at all.  However, try to get outside whenever possible.  Start out small.  Go for a walk once a week and see how it improves your overall well being.  Increase it to twice a week, and as you become a seasoned pro, you may be walking up to 4-5 times a week.  So, I will come back to my original point: Is your 22 min sitcom worth more than your health and vitality?  You have a DVR don’t you?  Now get out there and go for a walk!