It's Walking Day Across The Twin Cities

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Many in the Twin Cities will be wearing their walking shoes on Wednesday. That's because employees are encouraged to wear sneakers to work and take at least 30 minutes out of their day to get up and walk.

Walking is the single most effective form of exercise to achieve heart health. And all you need is 30 minutes each day to reduce the risk of heart disease.

It will also improve circulation, reduce stress and anxiety, increase optimism, lower cholesterol and blood pressure and help with weight loss.

"It's the most perfect exercise. For someone who is carrying extra weight and wants to change those lifestyle habits, walking is a brilliant choice for them because it allows them to do it in a gentle, unintimidating way," Running Room founder John Stanton said.

Here are some tips to get you to start walking.

-- Divide your 30-minute walk into chunks of 15 or even 10 minutes throughout the day.
-- Avoid the elevator and take the stairs.
-- Bad weather? Walk at the mall.
-- Try to email less. Instead, walk to your co-worker's office to ask a question.
-- Have walking meetings. If you are having a meeting of less than five people, make it a walking meeting around the block.
-- Take the bus to work. Transit users get, on average, 20 minutes more walking in each day. And it can save you money.
-- Finally, walk over your lunch break.