I set out on my lunchtime just about everyday to do some walking.  I needed to get some exercise and this was a great way to do it.  But the more I did it, the more places I had wanted to go.  And so, I created this site that chronicles my experience while walking at lunchtime.  But the benefits of walking are amazing.  This article will describe those benefits and also some things to look out for if you walk in a major city.

Walking is acclaimed as one of the best exercises.  It is the most basic and common mode of transportation and is one of the easiest ways to be physically active.  It's also inexpensive; all you need is a pair of shoes with sturdy heel support.  Walking is the number one participation sport worldwide for many great reasons.  It's also a
way of to discover a city.  

Walking is:

- an ideal low impact aerobic exercise.  
 - is an easy form of exercise that can help combat the rapid increase in obesity    among both adults and children due to our sedentary lifestyles.  
 - easy - it's nothing more than putting one foot in front of the other.  
 - an especially good choice for people who are out of shape and dread going to a  gym full of hard bodies.   
 - a pleasure when the weather is nice, but you can also walk in the worst  weather if you have access to a treadmill or a shopping mall, airport terminal or  other large building.  
 - also good for the environment.  
 - not as strenuous as running, bicycling, or swimming and consequently involves almost no risk to health.   
 - not limited to any one age group.

Energy

The process of walking recovers approximately sixty per cent of the energy used due to pendulum dynamics and ground

reaction force.  Regular, brisk cycling or walking can improve confidence, stamina, energy, weight control, life
expectancy and reduce stress.  Walking gives you more energy and makes you feel good. It even is a central element of medical rehabilitation including cardiac rehabilitation programs.  

Walks
Walks are often organized as charity events with walkers seeking sponsors to raise money for a        

specific cause.  Charity walks range in length from two mile or five km walks to as far as fifty miles (eighty km).  On roads with no sidewalks, pedestrians should always walk facing the oncoming traffic for their own and other peoples' safety.

Calories

If you do 60 minutes of brisk walking you could burn about 300 calories a day.  Of course, the more you walk and the quicker the pace, the more calories you'll burn.  A brisk walk can burn up to 100 calories per mile.  Be prepared though.  Have decent walking shoes and consider padding them with

Urban

Walking is also considered to be clear example of sustainable mode of transport, especially suited for urban use and/or relatively shorter distances.  In a large city such as New York, setting out to see specific attractions can be a great motivator to keep going.


Safety

You are responsible for keeping it safe when you are going to be walking around a big city.  Pedestrians have the right of way but motorists are not always paying attention and may not see you. Don't assume that motorists are going to stop or are going to follow all the traffic rules. According to the Insurance Institute, a pedestrian dies every 100 minutes or so in the United States.  This problem has been rising over the past couple of years which has prompted governments in large metro areas to launch advertising campaigns to increase awareness and make pedestrians (and motorists) safe.