The Most Underrated Form of Movement

Movement should not be used as a form of punishment, but rather a way to support and nourish the body. Traditionally, we’ve used exercise as a means to lose weight only. And for that reason, one exercise in particular is consistently overlooked. What is it you might ask?

Walking.

Walking has been shown not only to aid in setting the circadian rhythm, but also improve digestion, improve glucose response, and even improve sleep. It’s great for lowering blood pressure and keeping cortisol from spiking, contrary to other high-impact type workouts.

Not only is walking good for the body and mind, but its low-impact nature makes it one of the most sustainable activity.  Even if you’re a marathon runner, weightlifter, or high-intensity athlete, walking is a form of cardio that benefits everyone.

One powerful way walking helps is by improving your glucose response after a meal. When you walk, your heart rate increases, your blood flow increases, and the delivery of glucose into your muscle cells increases. Your muscles act like a sponge soaking up all the glucose in the bloodstream to power the movement that takes place while you walk. Additionally, insulin sensitivity increases so you need less insulin to process the same amount of glucose. Less insulin is always a good thing, particularly when you’re thinking about weight loss. Walking after you eat significantly lowers the blood glucose spike in the body. Start small. Try incorporating a 15 minute walk after each meal.

Walking is always beneficial and often easy to incorporate into your wellness journey. When you’re starting on a new journey to health, the body can go through many changes. Take it easy on yourself, remind yourself that progress always trumps perfection and get walking!