Walking is something most of us do every day and yet a few small adjustments made to our existing routine can increase substantially the calories burned walking. Someone weighing 160 lbs who walks for 30 minutes at only 3 m.p.h. will burn around 100 calories !
Walking is usually an injury free activity, costs nothing and is available to all. So you have no excuses, here are some practical tips to help you burn lots more calories without going in for marathon training:
1. Use the stairs, both going up and down, instead of the elevator or moving walkway.
2. At the mall don’t join those other motorists trying to park as close as possible to the stores, instead park more easily further away and walk more.
3. Help the environment and burn a few more calories by using your local bus, railroad or subway service.
4. When you use public transport, why not get off the stop before yours and walk a little further ?
5. Before getting the car out of your garage to go on a short local trip is there any reason why you couldn’t walk instead ?
6. If you own a dog you have a huge advantage – not a dog owner ? – then find someone who is and volunteer to walk their dog once or twice a day.
7. To digest your food and shed some calories take a 10 minute stroll after your meals.
8. To add interest to your walk invite a friend or take some kids along.
9. Make a conscious effort to walk the most interesting route from your home, this will not only make the whole experience more enjoyable but you will be amazed what you see on foot that you were never aware of sitting in your car.
10. If you will be walking alone you might want to listen to some music, the radio or perhaps some form of inspirational CD.
11. You don’t have to join a walking club however ‘peer pressure’ can be a good thing and they will know where all the interesting local walks are.
12. If you do the school run why not forget the car and walk there with the kids ?
13. Calories burned walking means losing weight so by increasing the amount you walk each week and putting yourself on a sensible diet you will see and feel the benefits surprisingly quickly.
14. Walking will help cut the risk of serious conditions such as heart attacks and strokes, reduce back pain, improve posture and benefit just about every organ in your body.
15. You don’t need to spend money on expensive gym equipment for your home, a decent pair of walking shoes as all you need.
Now you know how simple calories burned walking is to achieve and how powerful this is combined with the right diet so why not start today and just walk !
