Walk On!

If you haven't begun an exercise routine yet, now is the time to take that first step. And walking is one of the best ways to start.

You don't need to walk all the way around Lake Superior, as writer Mike Link and his wife, Kate Crowley, are doing this summer. (See "Full Circle Superior," July/August 2010 Lake Country Journal Magazine, p. 44.) In fact, it is recommended that you start slowly, with short distances at moderate paces.

So, before you get started, you might want to visit the Mayo Clinic website, where experts explain the health benefits of walking and tips to help you prevent injury and reach your goals.

Studies show that people are most likely to stay with an exercise program when it becomes part of their daily lives. Since you can walk almost anywhere at any time, taking a walk can fit into most people's schedules. And, although it is not often recognized as such, walking is aerobic exercise.

Take it from Oprah Winfrey—"I've been through every diet under the sun, and I can tell you that getting up, getting out, and walking is always the first goal."

So take that first step. Lake Country is full of scenic places to walk, whether it's along a lake shore, through a forest, or beside a community street. If you have a favorite route, please share with our readers. Just register or sign in to add a comment.