01/25/2023
Weight training is the greatest form of exercise.
The transformative effect it has on the body has no equal.
It's also our best defense against the effects of aging and our modern sedentary lifestyle.
But while there's no substitute for lifting, it does have a perfect complement: walking.
A brisk walk might not be a momentous calorie burner (neither is weight training for that matter) but that’s a very narrow view to take.
Walking is special in that unlike almost every other type of exercise, walking doesn't dig a recovery hole but instead promotes recovery.
So physically, if weight training is a rocket then walking refuels the boosters.
Mentally and emotionally, walking helps lower stress and improves mood & well-being, which in my opinion makes it the BEST way to blow off steam.
Now in the past I would hammer the weights to “exercise my demons” and it helped. I always felt better after a hard, heavy workout.
But now I prefer to burn off negative energy through lower output means, like walking outdoors.
For one, it’s more productive. Once I’m back home I’m more relaxed, and I’ve usually been able to work through whatever was bothering me, thanks to the rhythmic quality of walking.
Often I even have a plan for moving forward.
On the other hand after pounding the weights I may feel great but I still haven’t dealt with whatever matter was bothering me.
I just shoved it aside, so it will be back once the endorphins clear.
But the main reason is to avoid potential burn out, which is a real risk if you habitually associate training with negativity.
Because my daily workout is a high point of my day.
It’s also precious ME time, which may be selfish but is also necessary, especially as I've gotten older and busier -- which also makes it harder to pull off. Funny how that works.
Lastly, it's how I tick the daily gratitude box: every day I honor this incredible gift of health and mobility.
So on days when life gets stressful or the online idiots start to grind me down, I go for a stroll instead
