Walk the HealThee way

Want to flex your muscles, want that trim waistline or a firm butt, how about a refreshing visit to your nearest part. All these and more is what a good walk could give you. At the time of writing this I'm in Tokyo. A place known for it's excellent public transport system. Having to walk to the station every morning and evening, it drains the system of all the collected strains of the day.

The good thing about walking as an exercise is, you don't have to make time for it. You could do it as part of a daily chores. A walk to the nearest convenience store, a walk to the station, a walk around the office building. Anywhere anytime is the ease of a walking exercise.

A few observations about walking:
* Makes breathing deep and uniform
* Moves almost all the muscles in the body
* Try this... with the back of your hand, touch the centre part of your back as you walk. These are muscles that stiffen due to prolonged static posture. A walk could move these muscles and prevent stiffness.
* Moving the arms back and forth can exercise the wings, shoulder, elbow and biceps.
* The stiffness of the neck is cured.
* A mild walk can bring the much required oxygen flow and blood circulation within our body.
* Focussing on near and far objects as we walk could easily exercise the eyes and surrounding muscles.
* Look forward as you walk and not down at your shoe. 10ft and above in front of you is a good point to be looking at.
* Do not slouch as you walk. Keep the shoulder blade in line with the body.
* Keep the back straight at the hip.
* Hold the weight of your upper body on your chest.
* Pulling your tummy in could help reduce that extra flab and move those muscles.

Now, how long a walk is a good walk? To start with use time to measure your day's walk. A ten minute walk from your house can take you back in 20 mins. As your regularize the activity, you tend to walk a little faster. This would increase the distance automatically.

Walk on a different route every time. This would keep your interest. Keep the sun on your side and avoid direct sunlight onto your face. Walking towards the sun could tire you easily. Do not keep the sun behind you either. When you return home, the sun will hurt your eyes.

Best time to walk is before the sun starts blazing. Depends on the time of sunrise in your region. Here in Tokyo, summers day breaks as early as 4AM.