If you’re looking for a way to get back on track with your fitness routine, take up walking and running. These two methods are surprisingly similar in the amount of calories burned, but have different effects. The amount of time it takes to burn about 200 calories depends on how active you are.
For example, someone briskly walking for 40 minutes can burn 200 calories, and someone moderately running at a steady pace for 20 minutes can also burn 200 calories. Both exercises do have some differences though.
In this blog, I will briefly discuss the benefits of walking and running.
1. Improved Mood
If you find yourself feeling down and out of sorts, try taking a walk. Getting your heart rate up by a brisk 15-minute walk can instantly improve your mood. While a longer 30-minute walk or an even more intense run won’t give you the same instant mood boost, the endorphins released after more activity will certainly help boost your mood the next day.
2. Reduced Risk Of Type 2 Diabetes
One of the major health benefits of walking and running we’ll discuss is the reduced risk of Type 2 diabetes. This is largely due to the consistent activity, and not just one time a week. According to a study, 45 minutes of moderate activity per day will help you lower your risk for Type 2 diabetes.
3. Better Cardiovascular Health
Another major health benefit of walking and running is better cardiovascular health. The more you walk or run, the lower your risk for heart attacks, strokes, high blood pressure, and coronary artery disease. This can be due to a variety of factors. Runners tend to have higher HDL Cholesterol levels than non-runners, which protects against coronary artery disease. The more you walk and run, the more your body’s ability to use oxygen improves, which helps in lowering blood pressure. The more osygen your heart uses to transport blood, the lower your risk for high blood pressure.
4. Weight Loss
When it comes to health benefits of walking and running that affect weight loss, both forms of exercise burn calories at a decent rate. We’ll talk about how quickly you can expect to see results.
