Walking is one of the most effective ways to lose weight. You should start out by walking about 20 minutes a day. If this is too much for you – it’s ok. If you need to start with a walk to your mailbox and back then that’s where you start. Don’t let embarrassment keep you from getting started. After walking to the mailbox and back for a few days, walk to the mailbox twice a day. Just make sure to remain consistent and gradually add to your walk until you can do about an hour at time.
After you are able to consistently walk for an hour at a time, then you can adjust how you walk to get more benefit from your exercise. Always start with good form. Bend your elbows and roll off of your toes when you walk. Bending your elbows will cause your arms to swing faster which in turn helps your legs to move faster. Keep your strides short. This will help you control your speed. Longer strides may feel more awkward when walking with different speeds.
Even if you are busy you can still work in same walking. Just make a habit of it. Use the stairs instead of the elevator. Try parking at the end of the parking lot at WalMart instead of at the door. Walking is even more important for people with the desk jobs. If you do have a desk job, get up and walk around the office every couple of hours. Just a five minute walk around the floor of your building or a few laps around your desk will help.
It also helps to take a walk before or after diner. If you walk before diner, it will burn calories and cut down on your appetite. If you go for a walk after diner, it will burn calories and help the digestion process of your food. Both have great benefits you can choose which one works best for your lifestyle.
Remember to replace your sneakers often. A good rule of thumb is every 200 to 500 miles of walking. Change where you walk so that you won’t get bored. If you like to walk around your neighborhood then go for it. If you have a nice park in the area you may want to go there on a nice day. Walking around in your local supermarket counts. As when doing any kind of exercise, make sure that you stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water during and after your workout.