Walk

It’s here! It’s back! What else if it’s not the annually event organized by The Star paper. Yes, you guessed it right! Starwalk Penang is BACK! Dated to be flagged off on 12^th December 2010 at Penang International Sports Arena (PISA), I decided to start my walk of life toward good physical health on that particular day. Perhaps many of you don’t know, walking is one easy way to stay healthy and strong. You don’t have to have tons of stamina to start walking and this could be done by almost everyone. The best part is the choice is up to yours whether to walk alone or in group and where to walk. Statistic shows that just by walking 30-60 minutes a day may reduce your risk of breast cancer by 20%, heart disease by 30-40%, and diabetes and stroke by 50%. Through such simple action, there are eight benefits to be gained from walking are:

Raise your high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (which is the good cholesterol)

Lower your low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (which is the bad cholesterol)

Lower your blood pressure

Reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety

Maintain lean muscle

Increase cardiovascular endurance

Reduce the pain and joint swelling that accompanies arthritis

Increase weight loss and reduce body fat

Searching through the net, I was surprised that walking may help to reduce back pain. According to the article, walking with proper posture, it actually helps to tone the leg muscles that greatly affect the lower back. The stronger the leg muscles are, the stronger the lower back muscles will become which would lead to better supports provided to spinal area. Only by walking in proper posture and proper manner would give out such benefits. This is what proper posture and proper manner means:

Stand up straight and tall, do not lean forward. Leaning is an actual cause of back pain.

Do not look down, keep your eyes looking forward, approximately 15-20 feet ahead you.

To help you look forward, keep your chin up which means the chin is parallel to the ground.

Keep your stomach tight.

Your arms should form a right angle, moving in an opposite direction to your feet and your hands should be in a relaxed curl.

When you start walking, do so with your heel to strike the ground first. Then roll that foot from your heel with your toe pushing off.

Compare this guide to our usual way of walking. I bet not many of us walk in a good posture and manner. Therefore starts today, walk to healthy physical and a happy life.

(I am not any medical expert nor has medical knowledge or background. All the above are results I obtained while browsing through the internet. Credits to Ed Forteau.)