Window Shopping is a Competitive Sport – The Ins and Outs of Mall Walking

Articles on Sports | Topics: sports, sport, sporting

by Bonita Levy

Thirty minutes of brisk walking per day is not only enough to help you feel better, it is enough to prevent obesity and a host of other diseases. Walking is beneficial as a form of exercise. It is one the most basic and easiest forms of exercise. The only equipment required is sturdy shoes, comfortable clothing, and ambition. Walking is an aerobic exercise that tones your heart and lungs. It is most helpful to engage in walking three to six times a week for thirty minutes per session. Any type of walking, though, can improve health. However, outdoor walking is not feasible in all parts of the country due to climate, road conditions, and personal safety concerns. Mall walking is an excellent way to engage in this helpful activity.

There are a number of benefits to mall walking. Malls are not subject to the weather. It is possible to enjoy year round comfort in a mall without precipitation, wind, or temperature. Additionally, malls are relatively secure places. Stores and the mall itself employ security personnel to ensure the safety of their patrons. Also, malls are automobile traffic free which means that busy intersections won't interfere, and you won't be breathing any automobile fumes. Moreover, malls are also typically litter free so there aren't any worries about broken glass or trash on the path. Further, restrooms, water, and refreshments are always nearby. Walking in the mall will also give you a head start when the stores open, which can be particularly helpful during the holiday season. Lots of malls encourage the practice of mall walking though clubs, price reductions, and health screenings. Some malls even offer rewards programs like mugs every fifty miles. Mall walking can also encourage friendships. Talking with other walkers is easy and fun.

Bit of History

Come, my Celia, let us prove
While we may the sports of love;
Time will not be ours forever,
He at length our good will sever.

—Ben Jonson (1572–1637)

There are also some drawbacks to mall walking, though. It can get rather boring, as walking for any length of time means seeing the same stores. It can also be a little tempting at times, as malls are packed with junk food stands. One other drawback is that the floors are typically concrete which can be harder than asphalt. Mall walking is also not conducive to a fast pace. Speedier walkers may find they are better off on an indoor track.

There are several things you can do to keep mall walking more interesting. Friends help everything, so walk with a friend. It's an excellent opportunity to catch up with each others' lives and chat for an extended period of time. Watch for bargains at stores. Mall walking provides a unique opportunity to notice things like great sales before most other patrons. If you're not walking with a friend, you should try listening to music. Make a tape, cd, or mp3 of your favorite music and bring along your media player. You can groove to all of your favorite tunes while you watch the scenery float by. It can also be helpful to use the time you spend walking to clear your head by thinking, dreaming, and planning, not just plotting the list of housework tasks you must finish when you get done walking. As odd as it may sound, try playing games as you walk. Create your own version of "I-Spy," or invent other mind games to keep yourself busy. You are likely to be more motivated if you schedule a favorite activity after you walk. Try to have a cup of coffee with another walker, or schedule something else you enjoy. Perhaps one of the most important things you can do is to establish goals for yourself. Decide when and how to build the prevalence, persistence, and magnitude of your exercise routine. It is important to check with a doctor before beginning any exercise program, but there are a number of health circumstances that can make exercise unsafe. If you have been inactive for more than six months, you have any cardiovascular problems or you have a history of cardiovascular problems in your family, you take medication regularly, you have a lung condition, you have flexibility issues, or you have an untreated injury, it is absolutely necessary to be cleared by your doctor, even for something as basic as mall walking. Your doctor may suggest some routine tests before he deems it safe for you to begin exercising regularly. He may also suggest modifications to your exercise plan to meet your wellness needs. No matter his suggestions, only your doctor can assist you with the correct choices regarding your needs.

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Please note: All personal opinions expressed in the "Window Shopping is a Competitive Sport – The Ins and Outs of Mall Walking" article belong to the contributing author and are not necessarily shared by HealthExerciseSports.com.

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