I started walking for exercise when I was pregnant with my daughter Kate in 1988. As my pregnancy progressed and I gained weight, running became uncomfortable, so I turned to power walking. What began as a practical solution to stay fit during pregnancy became my favorite form of exercise for nearly four decades.

Here’s something that might surprise you… the key to keeping your mind sharp, creative, and resilient is as simple as putting one foot in front of the other. Movement fuels mental clarity!

Walking does something remarkable to your brain. When you walk at a steady, comfortable pace (zone 2 training), your brain produces up to 200% more BDNF… think of it as nourishment for your brain cells. Zone 2 is your mental clarity zone. Putting one foot in front of the other literally helps your brain grow new connections and strengthen existing ones….Your brain grows when your feet go!

The magic happens because walking creates the perfect conditions for neuroplasticity, your brain’s ability to rewire itself. Unlike high-intensity workouts that flood your system with stress hormones, zone 2 keeps you in that sweet spot where your body is engaged but your mind is free to wander. 

You’ve heard walking is good for your brain…but why?

1. Activates Both Brain Hemispheres Simultaneously

Walking’s rhythmic left-right-left pattern creates cross-talk between your logical side and your creative side. This bilateral activation helps your brain integrate information in ways it can’t when you’re stationary. No wonder so many breakthrough moments happen while we’re walking.

2. Supercharges Your Memory Center

Walking activates your hippocampus, your brain’s memory center, in a unique way. The combination of gentle physical movement, spatial awareness, and relaxed attention creates optimal conditions for turning fleeting thoughts into lasting insights. This is why you remember conversations from walks better than those from coffee dates.

3. Reverses Age-Related Brain Decline

For those of us navigating midlife and beyond, this research is particularly encouraging. Regular walking doesn’t just maintain cognitive function, it actually improves it. Studies show that people who walk consistently have larger memory centers and better cognitive flexibility than their sedentary peers.

4. Creates the Perfect Learning State

Walking maintains your heart rate in the optimal zone for brain function (50-70% max). Your cardiovascular system is engaged, but your nervous system stays calm enough for creative thinking. It’s the sweet spot where your body is active but your mind is free to process and create.

5. Builds New Neural Pathways

Walking literally rewires your brain for better performance. Each walk strengthens the neural networks responsible for attention, creativity, and problem-solving while weakening pathways associated with stress and anxiety.

The next time you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or mentally foggy, consider taking your thoughts for a walk. Your brain will thank you for it.

“I’ve lost 120 lbs 
and Kathy’s walking workouts have been my lifeline to losing weight and sticking with a workout I absolutely love.”

Burn Fat and Tone Up with LEANWALK!

5 WALKING AUDIOS to turn your outdoor walk into a workout and 1 BONUS indoor walking video…

✅ Power Walk Audio – High-intensity walk with short interval bursts
✅ Pump Up The Pace Audio – Brief interval bursts to break through any weight loss plateaus
✅ Walk It Off Audio – Coaches you on the proper techniques to get the most out of your workout!
✅ 30/15 Total Body Tune-Up Audio – 30-minute rolling hills walk with 15 minutes of resistance training
✅ 30/15 Core Walk Audio – 30-minute interval training walk topped off with 15 minutes of results-driven core training
✅ BONUS Fat-Burning Walking INDOOR VIDEO – When you can’t go outside, try this 45-minute indoor walking workout