25 Oct The purpose of this assignment is to experience creating a Visual Aid which would accompany a public speech. *You will base this slideshow on the speech attached. *This is a standalo

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Walking As a Beneficial Physical Activity

Picture this: the simple act of walking in nature can significantly improve your physical health. Today, I stand before you to persuade you why you should embrace walking as your go-to physical activity. Walking is an enjoyable and unique way to enhance physical and mental health. It has positive physical and mental benefits as well as on the overall wellbeing.

Walking has different physical benefits, beginning with the potential to improve cardiovascular health. In a CDC publication, Omura et al (2019) indicated that walking is critical in reducing inactivity and improving overall cardiovascular health. As such, walking is not just movement from one point to the other but an improvement in your physical health.

In addition to this, walking is crucial in weight management. A study by Chiu et al. (2023) published in the Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness indicated that a 12-week walking intervention program can help reduce obesity and overweight, improving overall body weight. As such, if you want to reduce those pounds, look no further. Just walk.

Other than physical health benefits, walking can potentially improve the mental well-being of individuals. A peer-reviewed study by Zhu et al (2020) associated walking with more stable and positive emotional health. Walking is an excellent way to shift your emotions to more positivity. Just put your foot in front of the other if you are having a bad day.

More importantly, walking stimulates the body to release chemicals that stimulate more positive moods. Furthermore, the solitude and beauty of nature enhance mental clarity and creativity. Walking is, therefore, not just a physical activity but a mental enhancement activity.

Perhaps my personal experience with walking will make you embrace walking. Born to a family with a history of obesity and cardiovascular-related diseases and conditions, I embraced walking to cut that chain. Conscious of my family's health challenges, I decided to walk daily.

Walking has been part of my daily routine in the last three years, making me lose 20 pounds. As such, my risk of diabetes and joint problems has reduced. A visit to my doctor has shown that my cardiovascular status has significantly improved; hence, I am safer regarding the risk of heart disease. Walking goes beyond just a typical habit but a beneficial one that has improved my physical and mental well-being.

In conclusion, walking is not just a normality; it's a powerful and enjoyable physical activity with numerous health benefits. I have demonstrated the physical, mental, and health benefits and how they have personally transformed my life. So, why not lace up your walking shoes and explore the great outdoors? Your physical health and overall well-being will thank you. Thank you for listening!

References

Chiu, Y. H., Tsai, S. C., Lin, C. S., Wang, L. Y., & Huang, K. C. (2023). Effects of a 12-week walking intervention on circulating lipid profiles and adipokines in normal weight and abdominal obese female college students. Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness, 21(3), 253-259.

Omura, J. D., Ussery, E. N., Loustalot, F., Fulton, J. E., & Carlson, S. A. (2019). Peer Reviewed: Walking as an Opportunity for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention. Preventing chronic disease, 16.

Zhu, Z., Chen, H., Ma, J., He, Y., Chen, J., & Sun, J. (2020). Exploring the relationship between walking and emotional health in China. International journal of environmental research and public health, 17(23), 8804.