Living in a household with one car when you aren't the one using it during the day, causes one of two reactions: cabin fever, or discovering the joys of being a pedestrian. I discovered the joys of being a pedestrian. It helps that I'm somewhat centrally located in my town. I can walk to the grocery store, convenience stores, the chiropractor, the dentist, the frozen yogurt shop (that's worth leaving the house in my sneakers all by itself), several restaurants, some shops, a college, and a walking trail.

Not everyone lives in such a walking-friendly area, but if you're looking to bring more physical activity into your life, walking instead of driving as much as possible will make a bigger difference than you think. It's the little fitness choices we make over time that add up. My husband and I are considering moving, and now a part of that consideration will be "what is a good location that's walking-friendly?" But don't let your current location stop you. Even if you don't live near a lot of places you like and need to go, you can still incorporate less driving and more walking into your life.

Make it a habit to park in the farthest parking spot from where you're going. If you're going to a place like a mall, park on the opposite end from the stores you're planning to visit. If you're going to a location that is walking-friendly, consider parking a few blocks away from your final destination and walking the rest of the way. Every extra step of activity you take adds up for better health and physical fitness levels. You might also consider purchasing a pedometer to wear to help you squeeze extra steps into your day.

Walking reduces blood pressure, lowers bad cholesterol while raising good cholesterol, improves your heart rate, lowers stress and depression (this is especially true when you walk outdoors and get fresh air and sunlight), helps you sleep better, helps to manage blood sugar... the list goes on.

If walking were a pill we'd never stop seeing the infomercials about the wonder drug and we'd all be in line for a prescription. Walking is also a fabulous way to burn fat and build muscle. I didn't believe walking could help build muscle until I started weighing and measuring myself and realized that while the scale wasn't moving down anymore, inches were still dropping off my body. To get the most muscle-building benefit from your walk, chart a course that will have you walking up and down hills. The more the terrain changes, the better. Walk in the grass, in gravel, on concrete, on sand if you have it. Mix up the variables. You can also try slower walking mixed in with short bursts of speed walking.

Walking is also one of the most natural exercises for the body. If you don't have a great physical fitness level, by walking more instead of driving, you can begin to build your fitness level so you can take on more challenging exercises later. An added benefit of walking more and driving less is that you'll spend less money in gasoline. So not only will you build your fitness, but you'll also protect your wallet.

Be prepared though, if you start walking instead of driving, people may try to give you a ride.

Learn more about this author, April Wilson.
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