Mexico City.- Yes, we know that first thing in the morning, and even more so on these cold days, it is not easy to have the necessary discipline to go for a walk. We are in a hurry to get to work on time, we feel like spending a few more minutes in bed… we act lazy. But the truth is that it is a good alternative to get up early and ensure a minimum of activity before starting the workday, for example, as we said, walking. Thus, in this way, no matter how complicated the day is or the working day is lengthened, you already know that you are not going to fail and you have already guaranteed a minimum of activity that day. And, in addition, you can take advantage of the benefits of walking first thing in the day.
“The best hours of the day to walk outdoors are early in the morning and also late in the afternoon. In the morning, walking for about 30 minutes as soon as we wake up, and leaving breakfast for something later, is a perfect exercise to expose ourselves to daylight. Some research shows that exercising on an empty stomach helps the body burn more fat”, explains Brian Ferreira, Training Manager of the Distrito Estudio chain of gyms.
And he adds that there are more benefits to going for a walk in the morning. “Natural light has an effect on our biological clock that suppresses melatonin and alerts our brain that the day has begun. A good walk on the way to our work or obligations helps us to be more creative and have clearer ideas”, the expert comments.
Benefits of walking in the morning
What benefits does taking a walk in the morning bring us? “As we said before, starting the day with a walk in the fresh air allows us to start the day with more vitality and energy and it has been shown that it improves self-esteem, makes us more resistant to stress, fatigue and improves self-esteem and our cognitive abilities in front of sedentary people”, the expert begins explaining to us.
It can also help us lose weight. “Walking at a brisk pace, and combining it with some strength training, can help us lose weight. But in addition, all the studies indicate that in the medical field the exercise of walking strengthens the muscles and can reduce the risk of heart disease, and reduce blood sugar levels in people with diabetes”, explains the expert.
And if we decide to walk in the afternoon?
Sometimes, our daily obligations prevent us from going for a walk first thing in the morning. It is better to do it in the afternoon, obviously, than not to do it. It is also a good alternative if we walk between 7 pm and 8 pm. This very relaxing exercise will help our body to relax and it will be easier to fall asleep and that this being deep and restorative ”, tells us the expert, who adds that, however, all this is something relative. Logically, in the coldest or hottest months, and especially in areas with the most extreme climates, it will be necessary to adjust these schedules so as not to turn something as pleasant as a good walk into something tiring.
How long should we walk a day?
We must set ourselves a goal, yes, to improve our progression, day after day. “According to the physical activity guidelines for healthy adults, the ideal is to walk for 150 to 300 minutes, at moderate intensity, a week, and the WHO (World Health Organization) recommends about ten thousand steps a day”, Brian details. Ferreira.
