What does wlaking do for me exactly

Hey everyone,

   So more out of habit than anything else I walk around my town for four miles everyday...the walk is basically down a few main streets and turning into and out fo various neighborhoods and forms a big circle...during the walk you basically go up various hills, etc. and then on the way back you go down....I just love to go walking every morning...it relieves so much stress and it is fun when I bring someone along every once in a while (except when they complain lol)

I'm a 20 year old, 5'7'' 150 lb male....

what benefits does this walking have for me in regard to my fitness, etc...I am pretty glib when it comes to the fitness aspect of losing/maintaining weight so figured I would ask the experts!

 Well, it burns a relatively low amount of calories, it has a slight positive impact on your cardio system, it uses fat as the major fuel source for the elevated energy expenditure. The lack of intensity means that the adaptive stimulus on your body is slight, so you only get a modest cardio benefit, but it's still greater than the couch.

 Don't discount stress relief in your evaluation - stress has profound negative impact on all things health and overall stress relief has a greater long-term benefit for your health than you can shake a walking stick at.

 B'sides - it does burn calories, and while there's no difference between not eating another 300 calories or burning another 300 calories through walking, you still get to eat 300 calories more. Which is a benefit in and of itself, more room in your calorie budget means not going insane with restriction ;)

good points melkor. Also, remember that you have to walk/run one mile to burn around one hundred calories. Some other benefits of walking are the developement of lower abdomminals (although slight), hip flexors, and gluteals. It also helps strengthen the bones in the legs. 

I totally agree with all the above points made. I do compound moves (60 minutes per workout) 6 days a week and slowly have increased my weights which gets in a really balanced work-out. I also either ride my bike or walk to work (round trip is 3 miles). I have always enjoyed walking and consider it to be very theraputic. It gives me "my time" and I use it relax, organize my time, reflect on the past, meet people, and to enjoy my surroundings and "the now." Carry a backpack and get all your shopping done and then it will also be considered weight bearing exercize.