Getting Started
 

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Beginning a Fitness Walking Program
Walking is free, fun, sociable and anyone can do it. Walking regularly can help you keep fit, reduce stress and control your weight. And it's the best way of exploring your local area. You can do it almost anywhere, from town parks to mountain tracks, and it can cost you next to nothing. Walking will keep you healthy - even half an hour of brisk walking every day can help prevent heart disease, keep weight down and improve your mental well-being.

First Steps
As with any physical activity, it is best to begin gradually. Start by underestimating rather than overestimating your capabilities: you will soon learn how far you can walk before you start to feel tired. Don’t push yourself too hard on distance and terrain: the idea is to enjoy yourself, and if you end up too stiff and sore it might put you off going out again.

First try out short walks along level paths, in populated areas where there is transport and accommodation near to hand and you can easily cut your walk short if you get tired, or get help if you get into trouble.

You can start with very short walks and increase the distances covered once you get to know your capabilities. There’s no target to aim for: do only as much as you enjoy. While some long distance walkers might easily walk around 20 miles in a day, most walkers are satisfied with much less.

Benefits of Walking
Walking is free, fun, sociable and anyone can do it. Walking regularly can help you keep fit, reduce stress and control your weight. Additional benefits:

• Burns calories
• Strengthens back muscles
• Slims your waist
• Easy on your joints
• Strengthens your bones
• Lowers blood pressure
• Allows time with family and friends
• Shapes and tones your legs and butt
• Cuts cholesterol
• Reduces rise of heart disease, diabetes, and more
• Reduces stress
• Sleep better
• Improves mood and outlook on life
• Can be done almost anywhere
• Requires no equipment
• It’s free!

Walking Routes
Burnsville Parks and Trails Map

Make Changes in Everyday Activities

• Take the stairs instead of the elevator
• Park far from store entrance and walk to the entrance
• Plant a garden
• Take your dog for a walk
• Use a push mower instead of a riding lawn mower
• Play catch with your kids or a friend
• Go for a bike ride
• Play tag with your kids
• Walk to the store
• Regularly do chores around the house
• Clean out the garage
• Get off the bus one stop early and walk the rest of the way