Walking is healthy for everyone that is able to. Being obese shouldn’t stop you from garnering those health benefits. In fact, whether you’re trying to lose some weight or not, walking is one of the healthiest things you can start doing today.
Your weight shouldn’t stop you from walking
When you are very heavy, 70 or more pounds overweight, walking, and any form of cardio exercise, can feel like torture. You feel OK at first but, it doesn’t take long before your breathing grows faster, your feet start to ache, your back begins twinging with soreness and overall you feel like if you don’t sit down you might fall over. This might not be exactly how it hit you, maybe it was your ankles instead of your feet- or a stitch in your side instead of your back. Whatever started aching on you, it’s normal for what you’re attempting to do.
Not only are you starting a new exercise routine, you’re doing it with way more weight for gravity to pull on. So, starting this routine may be rougher for you than a more average sized person- that’s just the way it is, but it is just as important or more so for you to start taking those steps.
Get new shoes or insoles, ankle support or a back belt. There are ways that can help you make your walks easier on your body. Don’t let your weight be an excuse for not walking!
Why it’s important to exercise when overweight
Walking and similar lighter cardio is amazingly healthy for basically everyone. One of the things that makes it so good for you is having that oxygen and blood circulating faster. Your muscles require that extra oxygenated blood when you’re using them. Your lungs and heart work harder and that is healthy for them to do. The physical activity releases endorphins and can make depression and anxiety far less troublesome.
You can exercise without the intent to lose weight- if you are happy at your current weight just know that walking is good for your health whether you lose a single pound or not.
Just go for a walk
There’s something liberating about being able to walk further today than you did or could yesterday. No one can do that but you. You aren’t in a competition with anyone but you and how far you want to walk today. You might not feel the joy on day one or even on day 10, but I promise, if you keep going you will begin to feel good after a walk and you will want to keep hitting new walk records for you.
Can’t wait to see you strolling along.
Kimmie