Walking is probably as natural an act as any other physical movement that we humans participate in. There is just something about walking that is so healthy. In fact, walking is probably "the" most well rounded, healthy activity there is.

There are plenty of other activities which give us so much in the way of benefits. Running, for example, can get your heart racing faster and can burn much more calories than walking ever will. Swimming is somewhat easier on the joints. Boxing and kickboxing gives you a way of self defense. Cycling lets you go further faster and aerobics allow you to show off your cool new outfits to your classmates. But walking is still king and always will be.

The reason I say this is that, all you really need to walk is you. You don't need fancy, expensive equipment or a new outfit that clings to your body. You don't need anyone else to do it with; you just need you, plain and simple.(It would be a good idea to have a decent pair of walking shoes, cross trainers or sneakers, but in general there is nothing for the average human to purchase to get going on such a great activity.)

Walking is something that anyone of almost any age can do. You can bring your kids or your parents; a friend or man’s best friend. It can be such a great "after dinner family event" that it can replace a portion of the time that you and your family sit like logs in front of the television set. You get to talk with each other about current events or school or just about your neighborhood. (My wife and I like to size up the other houses and yards while we walk. We like to critique our neighbors’ choices of flowers and landscaping techniques.)

Walking has the side effect of good health, and that is what is so great about walking. Health benefits are a side effect. You don't even realize that you are doing something healthy until someone points it out to you. You get so wound up into the walk that you are truly enjoying yourself.

If you decide to take up walking, your experience may go like this. You decide to walk every night after dinner. You do this for a few nights and then you make up a favorite route for yourself. After a month or so of doing this you really feel like you missed out on something if you don't get to go. After a while maybe your spouse notices you doing it and thinks: "What the heck is he doing? Is he seeing some young girl on his nightly walks?" Now you have peaked her curiosity and she decides to join you for a while. Next thing you know, she is hooked and the whole family wants to go. This is how addictive walking can be.

We walk all day whether we notice it or not, even if it is the occasional trip to the water cooler. The trick to making it work for us in a more substantial way is to make it more available to us. The way to do this is to focus on times to do it.

Park a little further away from the store in attempts to further your time. Most of us do the exact opposite. We try to find the closest possible space that we can. When going to church, think of it as a good Christian act and park in the rear to allow others closer parking. Occasionally take the family to the park or the mall, instead of the movies.

You can really step it up by adding walking or ankle weights to your body or by using an mp 3 player or something, but there is nothing like just heading for the open road with the family and going on a nightly walk (This turns into a run if you don't live in a safe neighborhood). All kidding aside, walking is simply the best because it is a good cardiovascular exercise that almost anyone can do. You can do it your whole life without getting bored and it will not cost you an arm and a leg to do it, but it may just save your life.