How to Walk Off Weight

Exercise is crucial for losing weight. Not only does it burn calories, but it increases your metabolism and builds muscle so that you can burn calories even when you're not working out. Walking is a simple form of exercise that anyone can do. You don't need any special equipment to do it and you can get your exercise anywhere. It burns calories, it's good for your heart and studies have shown that regular walking can decrease your risk of diabetes, stroke and certain types of cancer.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Good pair of walking shoes
• Comfortable, loose-fitting clothing
• A treadmill (if you'll be walking indoors)
• Water bottle

1. Consult your physician before beginning any fitness program.
2. Warm up by walking at a comfortable pace for about 5 minutes. Don't worry about walking too fast here; just get your blood flowing and wake up your muscles a little.
3. Stretch for about 3 minutes. Do stretches for your whole body, but concentrate on your calves and thighs, since they'll be getting the brunt of your workout. Be sure to work in some ankle circles and neck circles.
4. Walk at a brisk pace for 30 to 60 minutes. During the workout, you should be breathing more heavily than usual but still be able to carry on a conversation. For a more intense workout, choose a hilly terrain for your walk or set your treadmill at an incline if you're exercising indoors.
5. Cool down by walking at a slower pace for 5 to 10 minutes.
6. Stretch again after your cool down.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to carry a water bottle with you whenever you work out so you don't get dehydrated.
• Vary the location and pace of your walk so you don't get bored.
• Always complete your warm-up before stretching. It's dangerous to stretch cold muscles--you could accidentally tear them.