If, like so many of us, you want to shed a few pounds and get into better shape, then this is something that is both simple and achievable. If you want to lose weight then you must burn off more calories as a result of physical activity than you take on board as a result of both eating and drinking. If you burn off more calories than you consume on a regular basis then you will, over a period of time, lower your weight. There is no magic pill or health supplement required.
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.
According to many medical sources we should all be trying to walk for 10,000 steps each day. That’s roughly equal to a distance of between four and a half and five miles for most people. It does sound like a fair old distance – but it’s a lot easier to accomplish than you might think. Don’t forget – 10,000 steps is the total distance, including the normal walking that you do as you go about your daily business anyway. You already have a base to build upon.
Leave the car at home and walk to work – or get off the bus a couple of stops early and finish the last part of your journey on foot. If you do take the car then park it in a corner of the parking lot that’s well away from the entrance so that you have further to walk. Take the stairs instead of the lift. Take a fifteen minute walk at lunch time. It all adds up.
Other than a good pair of comfortable shoes, you require no specialized equipment to start a walking workout. However, you may find a pedometer to be a useful investment – especially if a lot of your walking is done in short bursts throughout the day. It will help you to record and monitor your progress. You will find it easier to keep motivated – and also to find new ways of increasing your step count.
If you have the time to fit longer walks into your daily routine then an mp3 player might be a good idea if you don’t own one already. When you’re walking along listening to your favorite music the miles and the time will simply fly by.
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