If you’re looking for an easy way to lose weight, starting out with a daily walking regime is an excellent way to do it. It’s low impact, accessible for almost any age or fitness level, and doesn’t require bulky, expensive equipment.
Sound good? Our experts at MediPlan Diet Services share these useful tips to shed those pesky pounds safely and effectively:
Dress for the Occasion
We recommend investing in a pair of comfortable shoes that provides adequate support and doesn’t cause blisters – that’s it! While some items of clothing and gear can make walks more enjoyable, they’re not really essential.
Once you start going for longer, more challenging routes, you may want to take some water, snacks, sunscreen, and spare clothing in a small backpack.
Take Things Slow
If you’re a walking workout newbie, build your walking time incrementally and start with 10 or 15- minute walks. Increase your time by a few minutes after each outing once you get the hang of things.
Remember, slow and steady wins the race. Every step you take will always be much better than sitting around.
Consider a Fitness Tracker
One good way to stay motivated is to set some goals. Why not keep track of the number of steps you take each day, and try to beat your record each time? The more steps you take, the more calories you burn.
Unlike speed and distance goals that may lead to injury when progressed too quickly, increasing your steps is much safer. Try to aim for 10,000 steps each day as your baseline target. If you’re having some trouble reaching this number, you can shorten your stride to take more steps.
Make It a Habit
The more you make walking a habit, the more it becomes effortless. A few ways you can incorporate it into your daily routine include:
- Walking to and from work
- Leaving your car behind for short journeys
- Walking for small errands
- Using stairs instead of an elevator
Find Ways to Keep Motivated
Do you find walking too boring? Bring a friend along or join a walking group to make it a social activity!
If you’re more of a lone wolf, you can make a playlist of upbeat music to make your walks more enjoyable. Instead of taking your regular route, why not mix things up a bit and explore some new surroundings?
Vary Your Walking Style
Walking is one of the easiest ways to lose weight, but you don’t have to do the same walk every time. If you vary your speed, intensity, and form, you can enjoy various walking workouts and reap more fitness benefits.
Perfect Your Exercise Routine
With the countless number of popular exercise regimes today, it can be challenging to find one that perfectly matches your weight loss goals – but we’re here to help.
Our experts at MediPlan Diet Services will create your optimal routine to losing weight in a fun, healthy, and effective way. Reach out to us at 901-362-7546 and get started today!