Walking Will Aid Weight Loss

Walking is so easy, people forget how helpful it can be when trying to lose or maintain weight. Granted, running burns more calories, but there are ways to increase your walking efficiency.

First, notice how fast you walk, do you just stroll along or do you walk with a purpose?

 If you have access to a treadmill, this is the easiest way to judge your walking speed. Start slowly, then build up your tempo until you can walk quite briskly but comfortably.

Count steps to yourself so you can develop a cadence, then you can keep this speed off the treadmill. Perhaps a pedometer would be a good tool for you. Walking briskly is usually measured as 3 to 3.5 miles an hour. If you can walk a mile in 15 minutes, that is just the right speed. Taking shorter, quicker strides as you increase your speed takes advantage of the natural power of the walking motion.
 
Always use good posture while walking. If you find yourself slumping, lift your ribcage and this will keep you erect and your breathing will be easier. Good posture also decreases stress on your back and shoulders. If you swing your arms holding your elbows at a 90 degree angle, this creates a natural motion which adds a little more intensity. Give yourself a goal; pick out a landmark to reach. When you get there, choose another and keep the intensity of arriving there quickly.

While you are walking to burn calories, try to walk for at least an hour, because time is more important than speed for losing weight. Walking has added benefits of toning your leg muscles and helping stave off bone loss. When you diet, the initial weight loss is usually muscle and water. Walking helps increase your metabolism and will aid in keeping that lost weight from returning.

 If you can walk briskly for 60 minutes a day, studies show that you will burn 300 to 500 extra calories. By adding a walk to your health plan, you could possibly lose an extra 3-4 pounds in a month just from walking with purpose and even reshape your figure.

 If an hour seems to daunting, try three 20 minute walks a week, or even just get up several times a day and move around. These steps may encourage you to do more.

Edie George