One of the best simple exercises for many of us is to go for a walk.

Because it is of such low impact, it is easy on the joints and usually the only equipment we need is a good quality pair of comfortable walking shoes. You may wish to consult with your local shoe store for some good advice in this regard.

Walking offers you so many great choices because you can choose your pace, your distance, your fellow walkers (if any), and your time to go for a walk. Here’s a simple suggestion.

Weather permitting, perhaps going for a walk after dinner would be your best new “dessert”. Then, after your evening walk you could then have a low sugar, high fiber healthy snack, with some water. Of course, if you have any health issues that may impact your ability to start a walking program, check with your personal health care provider first.

Walking is great for your heart, lungs, and muscle tone. Further, it can be a great way to spend some quality time with friends and family. Of course, we don’t have to learn how to start walking as we do it every day, making it perhaps our most natural form of exercise.

It is simple to do and can be done at almost any location. If the weather is a factor, such as during our winters in the Upper Peninsula, you can often find an indoor walking site, perhaps at a mall, at your local school, at the great NMU Superior Dome, at other college or university locations, or at other sites. Of course, if you have one, you can also walk on your treadmill at home, or on the equipment at the local YMCA or fitness club.

Again, there are many health benefits of walking. Here’s just a partial list of these many walking benefits. Walking can help with blood cholesterol abnormalities because it can help lower your LDL (bad) cholesterol and raise your HDL (good) cholesterol. In addition to helping you manage your weight, walking can lower your blood pressure, is good for your mood, may help you control any Type 2 diabetes, and will help build strong muscles and bones.

Unless you have a medical condition or physical limitation not allowing you to do so, here are some simple ways to get some brief leg muscle exercise. If you are in a location where you need to go up one floor, use the stairs instead of the elevator for a short trip up to the next floor. Further, as your personal health status allows, don’t always park your vehicle as close as you can to your destination. It is to your physical exercise advantage to get out of your car and walk a bit further to the mall or store entrance, keeping in mind safety and weather conditions. Often, when people try this, they like it, and the decreased paint chips and dents on your car doors may be an added bonus.

In addition to walking offering so many health benefits, is very inexpensive, is safe and easy to do, and can be easily tailored to fit your specific needs and time availability. There are no rules, except any guidelines you may wish to make for yourself. I know that when you increase your walking, you will like it, your energy level will increase, and your mind and body will be forever grateful.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Dr. Jim Surrell is the author of “The ABC’s For Success In All We Do” and the “SOS (Stop Only Sugar) Diet” books.Contact Dr. Surrell by email at sosdietdoc@gmail.com.