We all know that exercise is good for us but finding time to do it is the problem. Walking is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to exercise for health, weight loss and general well being. Modern living is busy and finding time to do one more thing can be particularly challenging but the effort will be worth it.

We are recommended to walk for 30 minutes daily at least five times per week to get the maximum health benefits from the exercise. This is not as difficult as it seems as the thirty minutes can be broken down into three ten minute sessions or six five minute sessions. It is important to plan your walking time. If we leave it to chance or mood or whim it will not happen.

To find time to walk take a long hard look at your normal daily schedule. Are there any five minute slots there that you could utilise? When you drop off the children to school could you walk around the block for five minutes before you get back into the car? Could you get up five minutes earlier and walk for five minutes before breakfast? Lunch time is another time of the day where you could possibly snatch another five minutes. If you choose this time go at the beginning of lunch time as if you start your lunch it is difficult to finish early when the company of friends provides a welcome break from work. There may be another five minute window of opportunity as you return from work in the evening. Before you enter the house, walk for five minutes. The fresh air and exercise will energise you for the evening chores ahead.

At work and at home do not delegate any chores that involve walking. Collect the mail yourself, put out the rubbish bin, put out, bring in and put away the laundry. All these chores involve walking and guard them jealously for your self.

Buy a pedometer. This is a small device which counts your steps. Every step counts and with a little bit of creative thinking and ingenuity you can easily attain the recommended 10,000 steps per day. Walk up the stairs instead of taking the lift. Park a bit further away from the shops. Take a short detour to your destination. Take a few extra trips around the supermarket aisles. Walk past your house and turn back. Every time you do something like this you are increasing your steps.

Should you be in the happy position that you could fit in a half hour session, finding a friend to walk with will make the exercise more enjoyable and benefit her too. If you are lucky enough to own a dog he/she will give you the ideal excuse to get out for a walk.

Make time to walk.You will be so energised by the exercise that the chores you left behind to take your walk will be done in half the time when you return.. You will be more relaxed, will sleep better and will have a trimmer figure. Isn’t it worth it to find a slot in your busy schedule to walk?
Try it, you won’t be disappointed.