Historically, in the United States, Black women over 50 have been at risk for many chronic diseases: breast cancer, high blood pressure, Type 2 Diabetes, and others. Medical professionals highly recommend walking to reduce, prevent, or even eliminate many of these diseases. In this article, we’ll explore 7 underrated benefits of walking that Black women over 50 need to know:
7 Underrated Benefits Of Walking for Black Women Over 50:
Benefit #1-Enhance Bone Health
Keeping our bones healthy and strong is vital to our overall well-being as we age. Taking a brisk 30-minute walk daily can help significantly with strengthening our bones after a good workout. Strong bones and muscles can reduce the risk of osteoporosis and fractures.
Benefit #2-Stress Reduction and Mental Clarity
Walking isn’t just good for you physically; walking is also a great way to manage stress and clear your mind. For me, when I walk, my mind becomes less cluttered, and I’m able to think more clearly. Sometimes, if I’m struggling with a problem, walking helps me significantly find solutions. Also, when walking briskly, your body releases endorphins that make you feel happier and less stressed, relax your muscles, and ease tension.
Benefit #3- Balance Hormones
One of the most age-related hormone imbalances in black women over 50 is primarily due to menopause. Many women reported experiencing hot flashes, weight gain, mood swings, and other troublesome symptoms. Studies show that regular exercise, like walking, can help combat some of these symptoms.
Benefit #4-Improve Posture and Balance
Studies show that walking correctly can significantly improve your posture balance, minimize muscle and joint stress, alleviate back pain, and reduce muscle soreness.
Benefit #5-Increase Energy Level
Decreased energy levels can be a common side effect in older inactive adults. However, studies show that walking daily for about 30 minutes can significantly improve older adults’ energy levels, reduce fatigue, and improve overall well-being.
Benefit #6-Joint Lubrication and Flexibility
As we age, we tend to lose range of motion and flexibility in our joints.
According to the Arthritis Foundation, walking and staying physically active helps greatly with joint lubrication and flexibility by increasing blood circulation throughout your body, heart, and joints. Additionally, walking helps improve flexibility by working your joints muscles, preventing stiffness, and promoting a better range of motion.
Benefit #7 –Build Community, Relationships, and Friendships
Walking in a group is a great way to build support and community by bringing people together to stay healthy and active.
Below are just a few benefits of walking with a group:
- Friendships and Relationships– Walking in a group can help build new relationships, friendships, and sisterhood.
- Improve Mental Health-Studies revealed that when adults join a walking group, they experience less stress and lower the risk of depression and anxiety.
- Accountability– Staying consistent with a regular workout routine can be challenging for some as we age. However, when walking with a group, we’re less likely to skip our workout because someone else is relying on us, which makes it difficult to skip our workout. According to studies, people are likely to stick to their exercise goals if they walk in a group.
- Makes Walking More Challenging– My walking pace improves significantly when I walk with someone or participate in a walking event. Walking in a group can encourage group participants to cover longer distances, motivate them to push past their limits, and ultimately lead to a more challenging and effective workout.
Starting Your Walking Routine: The Importance of Quality Walking Shoes
Unlike other exercise programs, walking has a very low start-up cost, and no special equipment or gym membership is required. However, investing in the proper walking shoes suited for your unique feet will help you maintain the correct walking form and prevent injuries. Saucony walking/running shoes work great for my feet and walking style. In addition, Saucony was reviewed and approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association. Saucony walking shoes are very comfortable, lightweight, stable, and durable for all walkers and runners. You can purchase them from the Saucony website or locate an athletic footwear store if fitted in Saucony.
Whenever I hit the pavement for my walking and running sessions, it’s always in my trusty Saucony shoes. These aren’t just any sneakers; they’re a game-changer for my exercise program. The way they conform to my feet and match my unique stride is nothing short of amazing. It’s not just the performance that captivates me, but also their sleek style that complements my every step. What’s even better? I often purchase these gems from Amazon, Trust me, once you experience the Saucony difference, there’s no going back. Your feet will thank you!
Selecting the Proper Walking Shoes
If you need help selecting the proper walking shoes tailored for your feet, most athletic footwear stores can assist you with making a selection.
Listed below are a few stores that have a in-person or online shoe-fitting process:
In addition, you can consult your doctor or podiatrist for shoe recommendations.
Walking Toward a Better You
As we conclude the exploration of 7 underrated benefits of walking for black women over 50, its evident walking is not just about the physical rewards, but your overall well-being.
By sharing these benefits, you feel empowered and motivated to start walking for wellness.
We’d love to hear from you! Please share any additional benefits of walking you’ve discovered as you’ve aged in the comments below.
Where to find a walking group in your area:
- Checkout Girltrek. You can start one if there’s no group in your area. The organization has made it easy to create one by providing you with all the necessary information and resources to get started.
- A little about Girltrek: Girltrek is a nonprofit organization encouraging walking to enhance health with black women.
- Checkout Black Girl Run – Don’t allow the name to fool you; participants don’t have to run to join. Like Girltrek, you can find a Black Girl running group in your area or start one.
- Checkout Meetup– You can find or form walking groups or events on Meetup.
Additional Resources Black Women Wellness:
- https://www.ideafit.com/personal-training/black-women-walking-toward-wellness/
- https://www.ffbww.org
Disclaimer:
The content on this blog is for informational purposes only. It is not professional advice and should not replace consultation with a healthcare professional. Always consult a doctor before making any changes to your health and wellness routines. I am not liable for any inaccuracies or omissions in this information.
✉️ Contact: Have questions, want to collaborate, or simply say hello? Feel free to reach out to us.
Affiliate Disclosure:
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This blog contains affiliate links, meaning if you purchase through these links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost. This helps support the blog and allows me to continue to create content like this. Thank you for your support!
