Walking may just seem like an old method of exercise; it certainly is tried and true. But quite the opposite of outdated, it seems to be making a resurgence in the health, fitness and medical worlds as a low-cost solution to the nation’s ongoing health care crisis.

Renowned medical expert Dr. Andrew Weil is an advocate of walking as a crucial method of preventative care. He advocates walking as a low-risk means to optimum health.

“With a consistent, brisk walking routine, you can boost your immune system, help manage weight, improve your mood and help ease depression, as well as improve cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure and prevent osteoporosis,” says Weil. “The additional benefits may be endless.”

Regarded as a leader in the world of integrative medicine, Weil is part of a panel of experts with Vionic Innovation Lab, an innovative footwear company leading the way for proper foot health and active lifestyle solutions. With new products such as the Zen walking shoe, Vionic offers podiatrist-designed technology in contemporary styles, providing an innovative support for anyone in need of a supportive shoe or sandal to start or improve her walking routine.

The walking movement is growing: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that between 2005 and 2010, the number of adults who walked for 10 minutes or more at least once a week rose from 56 to 62 percent – an increase of almost 20 million people.

Need more convincing reasons to walk onto the bandwagon? Here’s why walking for exercise is so ideal:

* Walking is what your body is designed to do.
*Among all forms of aerobic exercise, walking carries the least risk of injury.
* You can walk almost anywhere, any time.
* Nearly everyone can walk, and it’s something you can do throughout your life.
* It’s free.
* There’s no special skill, training, or equipment needed – all you need is the right footwear.

The buzz about walking has even reached the stars. Fitness trainer to celebrities such as Kate Walsh, Pink and Stacey Kiebler, Juliet Kaska has been known to start many of her high-profile clientele with a consistent walking routine. Also contributing to the Vionic Innovation lab as a lifestyle expert, Kaska recommends walking as a great baseline for any fitness program, but reminds her followers to “invest in a good pair of walking shoes. They will do wonders for your posture and joints. Minimizing the impact of each step. Look for lightweight flexible shoes and be sure to replace them often, especially if you’re walking every day.”

As you develop your walking program, set your own pace. As a general rule, taking 10,000 steps a day is a great goal for improving your overall physical, emotional and mental fitness. But the journey, as they say, begins with a single step. There’s no better time than now to begin.

The post Walking: the old way to get fit is new again first appeared on The How Do Gardener.

Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes is the American Diabetes Association’s signature fundraising walk, and every year, thousands of families touched by diabetes and members of nationwide business communities pledge their support to the event. More than $20 million a year is raised through the walk to support the association’s mission to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.

Step Out is a great way to show support for the nearly 26 million children and adults in the U.S with diabetes and the 79 million more who are at risk. Every 17 seconds, someone new is diagnosed with diabetes.

People with diabetes can choose to walk as a Red Strider. A Red Strider is someone who has diabetes – type 1, type 2 or gestational – who can proudly walk as an individual or create a team and walk with friends, family and co-workers.

Jeffrey Lisitza is one of the many walkers who will be stepping out as a Red Strider this year. Lisitza was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes more than 20 years ago. With a concentrated effort to improve his health, he since has lost more than 100 pounds.

“This year, once again, I’ve joined the fight to stop diabetes by participating in the Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes,” says Lisitza. “I am honored be a Red Strider to help motivate others living with this challenging disease.”

The purpose of the Red Strider program is to support everyone who lives with diabetes and to show the courage it takes to live with this disease. “The day of the walk is really a time to celebrate all of the accomplishments of the teams and individual participants, as well as a great opportunity to promote awareness about diabetes,” adds Lisitza.

The many benefits of walking, for those with and without diabetes, include:

* Burning calories. By walking just an extra five minutes a day you can burn an additional 24 calories per workout. That may not seem like much, but over the course of one year it adds up to a total of 8,760 additional calories burned.

* Improving blood fats. Exercise can raise good cholesterol (HDL) and lower bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides. These changes are heart healthy.

* Relieving stress. Work out or walk off daily stress.

* Improving blood glucose management. Activity makes your body more sensitive to the insulin you make. Activity also burns glucose (calories). Both actions lower blood glucose.

There are 135 Step Out events around the country, so chances are there’s a walk close to you. By walking in a Step Out event in your area, you are joining the American Diabetes Association’s movement to stop diabetes and helping to change the future of diabetes.

For more information or to register for a Step Out event in your community, visit www.diabetes.org/stepout or call (888) DIABETES (888-342-2383).

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