Easy Ways to Walk Your Waistline Away
Study after study concludes the same thing time and again; walking is good for you. It’s a low-impact exercise that, even in moderation, can help you to maintain or lose weight. The problem with this and most other exercises, though, is that it is hard to find the motivation to do it.
Exercise simply for the sake of exercise is boring. Even if you can find the motivation to start, it can be a real challenge to recapture that early enthusiasm and keep it up day after day, month after month. The trick with all forms of exercise is to find a way to keep it interesting. Two ways to do this include mixing up the type of exercises you do and incorporating everyday activities into your life that have the added benefit of burning calories.
To help you start walking and to keep walking, take the time to plan walks you’ll enjoy. Don’t look at your walks as exercise. See them as outings. For example, you might plan several picnics that require 30 to 60 minutes for you to walk to your destination and 30 to 60 minutes back to your car or home. With the addition of a picnic backpack, you and a friend can enjoy exercising together without thinking of it as a workout. Just remember that your picnic supplies should include light fare so you don’t defeat the benefit of burning calories by consuming too many of them when you stop to dine.
You could also shop till you drop. While shopping may include a lot of stops, you can offset the frequent breaks by staying on your feet and block-circling. Every time you see a store that interests you, force yourself to walk around the entire block before entering.
Finally, get to know your neighborhood, town or city. Some of us spend years where we live without really exploring the area around us. Get out and take in your surroundings. Enjoy the effort your neighbors have put into their gardens. You’ll get to know the people who live around you and may be surprised by how much you discover.
Schedule your walks for convenient times and plan to be on foot for a brisk 30-60 minutes for maximum benefit. Your heart, bones and waistline will thank you.
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