Most of us take walking for granted - and we’re doing it all wrong.
According to Dr. Barry Franklin, author of “One Heart, Two Feet,” a lot of us could use a refresher course in walking. Here are some common gate mistakes:
* Tilting forward: Some of us tilt our upper bodies forward, as though we’re walking into the wind. That increases pressure on the lower back and strains the shins.
* Swinging the arms: Don’t waste energy swinging your arms side to side or pumping them up and down. That makes walking less efficient. The best motion is a horizontal pump.
* Walking the same way every day. Switch it up once in a while with shorter faster-paced steps and moderate and longer strides.
Dr. Franklin also suggests taking a birthday walk. Each year on your birthday, go to a track and walk one lap, recording the number of steps on your pedometer. Aim to complete the lap in about the same number of steps each year. If it takes you more steps each year, you are regressing toward the "senior shuffle" and compromising your core-muscle strength and overall vitality.
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