This past Rochester winter was truly a doozy.

Between a steady string of days with high temperatures in the single digits, whipping winds, and snowstorm after snowstorm, Rochestarians took a beating. Now, as Old Man Winter begins to loosen his grip on the city, its residents are finally getting a much deserved and needed break from the weather.

So it’s time to get moving! Wednesday, April 1, is the American Heart Association’s 9th annual National Walking Day, in which the association encourages schools, workplaces, and entire communities to come together for a 30-minute walk.

Walking, even just for 30 minutes a day, is an excellent way to take the first steps — pun intended — towards living a healthier and more active lifestyle. A growing body of research suggests that those who include walking as part of their exercise or fitness regimen, whether it be solo or in a walking group, saw reduced blood pressure, cholesterol, heart rate, body fat, and body mass index.

In addition, even light exercises such as walking have been shown to combat issues related to infertility. While fertility begins to decline for women at about the age of 30 and drops more steeply after the age of 35, maintaining an active lifestyle can help both men and women remain fertile.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormone disorder that’s thought to affect between 1 in 10 to 20 women of childbearing age. It is also the most common cause of infertility in women, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Often considered the cousin of diabetes, PCOS disrupts hormone levels in the body, causing anything from irregular menstrual cycles, to increased hunger and weight gain. In fact, weight is closely tied to PCOS, and excess weight can often make symptoms worse. However, symptoms of PCOS can be alleviated and managed with prescription medications such as birth control, as well as with diet and exercise.

As for men, exercises such as walking can improve sperm count. According to data from a Harvard School of Public Health study, men who engaged in moderate to strenuous physical activity at least 15 hours a week had a 73% higher sperm concentration than men who were sedentary. In addition, men who watched more than 20 hours of TV — or Netflix — each week had a 44% lower sperm concentration than those who didn’t.

So, Wednesday is the perfect time for Rochester to get walking. Between the charming historic district, the eclectic energy of the Southwedge, or the bustle of downtown, Rochester had a variety of scenic neighborhoods perfect for walking. And although those boots were made for walking, your winter boots weren’t made for plodding through the snow. Now that the weather has improved and the sidewalks are clear, it’s time to lace up your sneakers and walk the walk.
Learn more about: National Walking Day