All it takes is clearance from your doctor and a good pair of shoes. If you can only walk for a few minutes and then you need to rest, that's OK. Start where you are and slowly increase the speed and duration of your walks.
A good rule of thumb is to increase the time spent exercising no more than 10 percent per week. Don't expect to go from ground zero to perfection. But by gradually increasing the amount of exercise you do, you can expect to improve your overall fitness level in as little as six to eight weeks.
Walking is an excellent exercise routine that can be adapted to fit any lifestyle or schedule. You can walk just about anywhere, any time—in a park, along the beach, in your neighborhood, at the mall, on a treadmill, up and down the stairs at work.
And it's fun! Especially when you walk with a friend. It's good for your soul! Having a walking partner—being accountable to someone—can also help you stay consistent in exercising.
Hiking or walking with your family is a great way to strengthen your relationships while teaching your children to embrace exercise as a lifestyle and enjoy it.
The Bible admonishes us to "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it" (Prov. 22:6).
With childhood obesity dramatically on the rise—from 4 percent in 1982, to a staggering 25 percent of all Caucasian children and 33 percent of all African-American and Hispanic children in 2001—parents need to be proactive in training their children to eat right and exercise consistently.
Walking by yourself can also be very beneficial in a number of ways. It's a perfect time to unwind, quiet your mind, and talk to the Lord after a hectic day.
It's also a wonderful opportunity to listen to a teaching tape or pray in the spirit and build up your faith (Jude 20). You can strengthen your spirit as well as your body while you walk.