Ellen White wrote, “There is no exercise that will prove as beneficial to every part of the body as walking. Active walking in the open air will do more for women, to preserve them in health if they are well, than any other means. Walking is also one of the most efficient remedies for the recovery of health of the invalid.” [The Health Reformer, May1, 1872]. This was written at a time when most Americans believed physical activity was unsuitable for ladies, and they would be better off sitting quietly in their homes.
We know better today but have become so obsessed with fitness that workout injuries from sprains, pulled muscles, and dislocated joints are commonplace.
A safer option is walking, which is a simple, low risk, and readily available activity that improves health while reducing the risk of dying prematurely. Researchers found that walking about 4000 steps every day lessens the chance of early death from any illness, and it takes around 35 minutes for an adult to walk those 4000 steps. They don’t have to be taken all at once, so walking at your job, or while shopping, or even just going back and forth on the block where you live can help you to reach that 35-minute daily goal. The more you walk, the better your health will be and with every extra thousand steps added your risk of dying drops by 15%.
Other benefits of walking include building stronger bones and joints, improving mental health and mood, maintaining a more ideal weight, and improving flexibility and balance. Low impact exercises like walking are embraced by Seventh-day Adventists and are part of what makes them one of the Blue Zone communities.