{"id":273571,"date":"2026-10-13T13:38:18","date_gmt":"2026-10-13T13:38:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.carolinescircuits.com\/blog\/?p=273571"},"modified":"2026-10-13T13:39:18","modified_gmt":"2026-10-13T13:39:18","slug":"why-walking-might-be-exactly-what-you-need-this-autumn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carolinescircuits.com\/blog\/2026\/10\/13\/why-walking-might-be-exactly-what-you-need-this-autumn\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Walking Might Be Exactly What You Need This Autumn"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In the UK I\u2019ve definitely noticed a shift in the seasons over the last couple of weeks, and on my daily morning walks with my dog Tilly it has really made me think about the importance of walking. I know I\u2019m always talking to you about the benefits of strength training and structured exercise – getting outside and moving is important no matter the time of year – but with the darker, cooler days the motivation can be a little harder. However you will never regret a walk for your mood, body and mind!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Walking is exercise!<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Walking is underestimated\u2026 We do it to get somewhere, walk the dog or clear our heads, so perhaps we don\u2019t always think of it as \u201cexercise\u201d. Physiologically, your body knows differently. When you walk, the large muscles in your legs and glutes repeatedly contract to move you forwards. Your heart rate rises to deliver more oxygen to those working muscles, your breathing increases and your cardiovascular system has to work harder. Pick up the pace and walking can become a moderate-intensity exercise, helping build endurance. A gentle stroll and a brisk, purposeful walk are brilliant for our bodies. Add hills, increase your speed, wear a weighted vest or walk for longer and you progressively ask more of your heart, lungs and muscles. You don\u2019t have to be running for your cardiovascular system to be getting a workout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Walking is also a weight-bearing exercise. Every time you take a step, your feet and legs support your body weight and forces travel through your bones. Walking can help reduce the loss of bone and muscle strength too. It doesn’t replace strength training – resistance exercise challenges your muscles and bones in a different and important way – but the two work brilliantly alongside each other. This is one of the reasons I particularly enjoy walking on the days between strength sessions (I walk on the days I train, too).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strength training deliberately challenges our muscles so that, with adequate recovery, they adapt and become stronger. Recovery doesn’t necessarily mean doing nothing. An easy walk is low intensity enough for most of us that it adds movement without placing the effort on the body as another hard training session.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So rather than thinking of walking as the exercise we do when we’re not<\/em> really exercising, I think it’s worth seeing it as another piece of your fitness routine, especially on those recovery days. (https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/live-well\/exercise\/walking-for-health\/<\/a>)\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why colder weather can change how we feel<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As autumn moves towards winter, we have fewer daylight hours. Natural daylight plays an important role in our body clock, helping regulate when we feel awake and when we feel sleepy. Getting outside during daylight hours, particularly earlier in the day when possible, helps reinforce natural rhythms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cold weather can affect how our muscles feel too. When we\u2019re cold, our bodies work to conserve heat and our muscles can feel stiffer, especially after we\u2019ve been sitting still. Movement helps: as our muscles contract they generate heat, which is why a brisk walk can quickly make us feel warmer and more comfortable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The colder months can also mean we simply move less. We may walk to fewer places, spend less time outside and sit for longer without really noticing. Making a conscious effort to get outdoors helps keep our muscles working, breaks up sedentary time and gives us valuable natural daylight at the same time. It doesn\u2019t have to be sunny or warm, and it definitely doesn\u2019t have to be an hour-long hike somewhere beautiful. A 15-minute loop around the block counts!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Walking is also brilliant for consistency<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Consistency matters with all forms of exercise, but it\u2019s particularly important with strength training. Our muscles adapt to what we repeatedly ask them to do. One strength session can challenge them, but it\u2019s regular training over time that allows us to build and maintain strength. The same principle applies to everyday movement. Getting up and outdoors helps create a routine where being active is something you do regularly rather than something that only happens when you have the time. For those of you at the beginning of your fitness journey or if you feel as though you\u2019re lacking motivation especially at this time of year, as I always say, you just need to start!<\/p>\n\n\n\n