People who walk daily have a lower incidence of cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and other deadly diseases. Walking not only makes you healthier, but also burns calories, creates psychological well-being, increases metabolism, strengthens muscles, increases flexibility, improves respiratory function, and helps concentration and memory.

This should give you plenty of reasons to try to walk a little every day. On top of that, simple physical inactivity is one of the main causes of poor health.

Walking not only benefits you but also benefits the Earth. By learning to walk instead of driving a car, you are doing your part to help the environment by not releasing toxins into the air, which harms the long-term stability of the planet. A short four-mile walk keeps about fifteen pounds of pollutants out of the air we breathe.

Walking also saves you money on gas and other expenses associated with your vehicle. Every time you start your car, it costs you about five cents considering today’s gas prices. Needless to say, driving anywhere adds to this tremendously. However, most people still use their vehicles for short trips, which can easily be done on foot. If you can make the simple decision to walk once a week when you would normally drive, it will go a long way in making a difference to both your wallet and your life.

Walking is also a stress reducer. Stress has been shown to contribute more than any other factor to reduced longevity. Walking can help reduce that stress and increase your longevity.

One of the main reasons why people decide to walk is to lose kilos.

There are some simple formulas you can use to determine how many calories you burn based on your weight and how fast you walk.

3.0 miles/hour (20-minute mile): Burns 0.027 calories/pound/minute.

3.5 miles/hour (17 minutes per mile): Burns 0.033 calories/pound/minute.

4.0 miles/hour (15 minutes per mile): Burns 0.042 calories/pound/minute.

4.5 miles/hour (13 minutes per mile): Burns 0.047 calories/pound/minute.

Take the number of calories/pound/minute you burn and multiply it by your weight and then by the number of minutes you walk.

For example, if you weigh 150 pounds and walk a 20 minute mile for 60 minutes, you multiply 150 by 0.027 and then multiply the result (4.5) by 60. You burn 270 calories.

It is important that when you walk you do so at a moderate pace. Walking will not do you any good if you do it so slowly that you do not make any effort. A good walk should leave you moderately inspired. This ensures that you are working at an ideal intensity.

Walking is a habit like anything else. If you can create the habit of walking every day, you will contribute to being a new and healthy person in the long run.