If, like many people, you would like to lose weight and get into better shape, then it really is quite simple (and achievable). In order to lose weight you must consume fewer calories by eating and drinking than you burn off as a result of physical activity. If you consistently burn off more calories than you consume over a period of time then you will lose weight. There is no magic formula, health supplement or pill that will change that.
So if you want to lose weight then you need to eat and drink less (by dieting), use up more calories (by exercising) – or both. Doing both is very definitely the most effective solution. Regular physical exercise will increase your metabolic rate – the speed at which you burn calories. If you exercise on a regular basis then your higher metabolic rate will mean that you use up calories faster even when you’re not taking exercise – for example, when you’re sitting reading a book, watching the TV – even when you’re sound asleep.
For may people the very thought of taking exercise conjures up unpleasant and unattractive images – but there’s really no reason to shy away from exercise – it needn’t mean that you have to get all hot, sweaty and out of breath. Walking is a form of exercise that we all do every day – to some extent at least – and it’s also one of the best exercises that you can take.
The recommendation of many health and fitness professionals is that we should try to walk 10,000 steps a day. That equates to a distance of between four and a half and five miles for the average person. It sounds like a long way – but you may be pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to achieve. Remember, that 10,000 steps is the total distance, it includes the normal walking that you do every day anyway. You’re not starting from scratch.
Walk to work or school instead of taking the car – or if you travel by bus then get off a couple of stops early and complete your journey on foot. If you do take your car then park it in a distant corner of the parking lot so that you have further to walk to reach the entrance. At lunchtime, go for a short ten or fifteen minute walk instead of slumping in front of your computer. Small changes like these soon mount up.
Apart from a pair of comfortable shoes, you don’t need any special equipment to get the benefits of walking for exercise. However, you might find it useful to invest in a pedometer – especially if you’re walking is broken up into short sessions throughout your day. It will help you to keep track of your progress and to stay motivated.
If you are able to fit longer walks into your day then you might also want to think about getting an mp3 player if you don’t already have one. Listening to your favourite music as you walk along will make both the miles and the time fly by much more quickly.
Check out Fit flops fitness sandals. They are specially designed to help to boost the effectiveness of your walking to lose weight exercise program.
Tags: exercise, fitness, health, lose weight, shoes, Uncategorized, walking, weight loss, workout