Walking is a great way to lose weight because it helps build healthy muscles, takes off fat, burns calories, and speeds up your metabolism. One of the best things about walking is that it can be done both inside with a treadmill or outside, where the open road could lead you for miles.
Prior to walking the weight away, make sure you have a good pair of walking shoes. It is important to take care of your feet and avoid injury by wearing the proper footwear.
Painful feet do not equal happy feet. Because everyone’s feet are different, the best shoe is the one that fits you best. Look for a lightweight shoe that has a low heel, flexible sole and breathable fabric. Most importantly, it should be comfortable.
Before purchasing a walking shoe, be sure to try it on and try it out. Take a few laps around the store to see if that particular brand and size is right for you. What fits one walker may not fit another. So don’t go for what you think looks the best or is the hottest walking shoe on the market. Go for what feels right on your feet.
A good thing to remember is that walkers should replace their shoes about every three to six months, depending on the amount of wear and tear on the shoes. But to make walking shoes last even longer, try rotating two pairs of shoes if you walk on a daily basis. In addition, use them only for walking and not for everyday casual use.
Like when doing any type of exercise, it is important to wear clothing that allows your body to move and breathe. Cotton is a great fabric to wear because it pulls moisture away from the body. When walking outside, a weatherproof jacket will help protect against precipitation. Bright, reflective colors are also a must if walking at night.
With the proper attire, you are well on your way to walking off weight. Before hitting the open road (or the treadmill) stretch to warm up your muscles and to avoid injury. Also hydrate yourself by drinking plenty of water before, during and after your walk.
Now it is time to start walking!
1) Start out slowly and then increase your speed.
2) A good walking pace is one where you can continue to talk or hold a conversation without losing your breath.
3) If walking for the sole purpose of losing weight, you should walk for about 45 to 60 minutes, at least five days a week.
4) If you do not have time to get it all in at once, take four 15-minute walks each day instead.
5) To lose weight, you should aim to take 10,000 steps each day. A great way to count how many steps you take is to use a pedometer. Pedometers gauge the approximate distance you’ve gone and the number of steps you’ve taken.
Remember, walking is a great way to lose weight. Not only will you cut pounds, but you will also walk yourself into a healthier lifestyle that once you start, you won’t be able to stop!