Can you walk to work? Benefits to exercise and health

If you had a choice, spend 1/2 hour driving to work or 1 hour walking to work which would you pick?

Granted that presupposes you live close enough to your work to enable you to do so, but bear with me a moment.

If you could - would you?

The truth is, most people like the benefits of a vehicle, be it bus, train, ferry, car or motorbike. The arguments range from - well I have to do so and so on the way to work, drop the kids, don't have the time etc etc.

However, the irony I see is this:

Most people drive to and from work and then "go to the gym". What happens then of course is these same people who say they don't have time to walk, then spend the next half an hour on a treadmill or some form of cardio equipment to "warm up" which I have always thought a little strange.

As you know the many health benefits from walking are enormous:

• You can transition between home and work and vice versa more effectively
• Any stress you have built up can be walked off AND you get a serotonin buzz for your efforts at the other end
• You can still listen to your music / talking books just as easily on foot as you do in the car
• You don't have to put up with the road rage of other drivers
• You can vary your route far more easily on foot
• You see more on foot than you ever do when you are concentrating on the road around you
• You can use the time as a walking meditation
• You burn a lot more calories
• Your muscles get a workout, legs, butt become tighter the more you walk - and who doesn't want that?!
• Your core also gets a workout. Walking on a treadmill is all very well, but it doesn't test your core in the same way as walking on an uneven surface does. Stepping up and down off pavements onto roads, walking up and down hills, making a dash for it when the rain showers start. The benefits to working your core are immense. The more you can work your core the less likely you are to having belly fat, love handles or muffin tops.
• Your car gets less wear and tear on it - which means it lasts longer; and
• You spend less money because you don't have to buy fuel as regularly

So if you are struggling to lose or maintain your weight - and you are close enough to work to enable you to do so, then try walking once a week. Once you get comfortable with the idea that you do have the time to do it if you make a few minor adjustments, try walking on alternate days. Put everything into a backpack so you even out the weight on your shoulders and back and give it a go.

Comments

[Jason Bright]

A great idea, but is it practical? I suppose the only way I'll ever find out is to just try it and see. I have a largely sedentary job, granted I'm higher up than most so like to be in the office before most people - consequently don't find much time to exercise - and I know I've been expanding in the rear department as a result. So what you are saying does make sense, I just know that the transition from driving to work rather than walking to work will take some determination on my part if I am going to make this work. But as your site says - you have to make a commitment to yourself if you want to get fit and healthy and obviously what I have been doing hasn't worked so far.... actually I haven't been doing very much of anything except working, then going home to do more work. OK OK my work / life balance sucks. OK guilt trip over I'll find my trainers out.....