Fitness

Walking is increasingly being rated as an excellent means of getting fit and healthy. It is a natural form of exercise that we do every day to some extent.

The risks of suffering an injury are low as long as you follow a gradual programme and don’t do too much too soon. All you need are a pair of comfortable shoes with adequate support and shock absorption and a watch with a second hand if you want to measure the intensity of your walk by measuring your heart rate. The benefits that you derive from walking are dependant on many factors that include, how frequently you walk, the distance covered and the intensity of your walks.

While a half-hour amble through the forest might do wonders to reduce your stress levels, it would not do much in terms of weight loss. However, a programme of regular brisk walking (six to eight km), combined with an energy-controlled, low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet should cut some body fat.