Last updated 12:35, Wednesday, 21 May 2008

WALKING is one of the most effective forms of exercise. It can be done almost anywhere and it is free.

Walking helps to improve your overall health and fitness and is a great way to lose weight, tone your muscles, strengthen your heart and instill a general feeling of well-being and positive self-esteem.

Turning walking into a regular activity and focusing on the pace and distance covered will greatly increase your fitness.

Here are some of the benefits of walking

• It burns calories
• It can help towards maintaining a healthy weight
• Walking helps to boost your metabolism
• It helps to reduce body fat
• It boosts your energy levels
• Walking strengthens your legs
• It helps to strengthen the immune system
• It improves your circulation
• Walking lowers your blood pressure
• It helps to prevent and control diabetes
• It promotes positive mental health, including higher levels of self-esteem
• It helps you to manage stress and release tension
• Walking helps to improve the ability to fall asleep quickly and sleep well
• It can be done almost anywhere
• It’s more environmentally friendly than driving
• It’s free