There is so much fitness information out there these days that it can be hard to even know where to start. The internet is full of supplements promising fast results, bullshit fitness gadgets, and flashy workout routines that don’t actually do much… if anything. How do you decipher where to start? Should you buy Karen’s Herbalife supplements? Buy all the Beach Body DVD’s? Or try Vanessa’s booty popping workout routine from instagram?

If you have absolutely no experience with exercise or it has been awhile since you have been active, one of the best things you can do to get started is walking. YES WALKING. You learned how to do it when you were a toddler and it costs zero dollars. — This is why you don’t see the fitness industry selling you walking.

But will walking really do anything? Is it enough?

One of the biggest keys to success when it comes to fitness goals is creating new habits. Walking can be a great new habit to start with and it can help prepare you to add other forms of exercise in as you progress. You don’t need to start off your fitness journey with intense “feel like you are dying” workouts. There is a high chance that if you start out with a death workout that you won’t want to do it again. This fitness stuff takes time, start slow, build up your confidence and work your way up.

If you are not yet sold on starting with just walking, let me fill you in on some of the health benefits:

Improved Cardiovascular health— Can help lower blood pressure, improve cholesterol, improve circulation.
Improved mood: Decreases anxiety and depression, especially if you walk outdoors.
Help’s with weight-loss/weight gain due to increased activity level.
Low-impact so it is easier on the joints and can actually help reduce pain.
Improves posture
Reduces the risk of cancer
Boosts creativity

The list goes on…

You really can’t lose by starting out with walking. It’s a win win situation. If you are someone who is bored by the idea of walking it can also be a great time to multi-task. Things to do while you walk:

Take a furry friend for a stroll.
Listen to podcasts.
Listen to audio books.
Phone a friend.
Listen to music.
Brainstorm your next creative project.
Use it as a form of meditation

To begin a walking routine, you can start out by setting a distance goal or a time goal. For example: Your first time out for a walk set a goal of 10 minutes. Work on hitting that 10 minute goal until you start to find that getting easier. After you find that the 10 minutes is feeling pretty easy then set out to hit 15 minutes, then 20, and so on. You can also progress by adjusting the incline and upping your pace as your fitness improves. If you want to track your distance you can download an app on your phone such as MapMyWalk or use a Fitbit or Apple watch to track your steps.

Walking combined with good nutrition can be a way more powerful start to your fitness journey than you might think.

Happy Walking!