Walking to Lose Weight: A Guide
Walking is the preferred workout for many, primarily because it can be done just about anywhere and it requires no additional equipment. In addition, people of all fitness levels are able to engage it. Because it is so “easy,” however, many walkers don’t realize what a great weight loss tool this form of exercise is. A thirty minute walk a day can quickly put you on the path toward meeting your weight loss goals. The following information will help you craft a walking program that will help you both feel and look better.
If you have not been active for a while, start out slow. Choose two or three days a week to walk and get out for about 15 minutes at a time. You eventually want to walk five days a week for thirty minutes a day, so gradually increase your walking time until you meet your goal. It is important not to go overboard at the beginning, however. You don’t want to injure yourself; the likelihood of you remaining dedicated to your workout regimen if you do is slim to none.
As time goes by, you may find that your regular walk just isn’t cutting it for you any longer. Luckily, there are a lot of ways to make your walks more intense. For instance, you could try walking faster; you will burn more calories and get your heart rate up by vigorously pumping your arms and increasing your speed. In addition, you could choose more challenging terrain or add a weighted backpack to increase resistance. Any of these methods will add a new twist to your typical walk, making it a much more intense exercise than it once was.
A lack of motivation is often cited as the reason that people give up on their exercise programs. In order to keep your mind focused on your goals, try purchasing a pedometer. This little device will show you how many steps you are taking during your walk. Challenge yourself to increase that number, even if it is only by a few steps a day. This will help you feel excited about your progress. In addition, make sure you keep a workout journal. Write down the number of steps you take during each walk so that you can see your progress. Finally, see if a friend, family member or neighbor would like to walk with you. If the two of you live far away from one another, choose a centrally located spot to exercise, like the mall or a trail. If you have someone who is depending on you to show up, you are much less likely to skip workouts.
Walking is often overlooked as a great weight loss activity. However, individuals who dedicate themselves to a walking program are often able to find success meeting their goals. In part, this is due to the fact that they don’t have to leave their neighborhood in order to get a good workout each day. If you are interested in walking to lose weight, take the information from this article and use it to help yourself establish a program that works for you.