Walking: The Perfect Exercise

If you want to lose weight and get into shape, one of the best things you can do is walk. It doesn't require any exercise equipment aside from a good pair of shoes and is very effective. All you need is 30 minutes a day to devote to walking at a moderate pace that can help your body burn stored fat and calories. Walking is a pleasurable exercise too especially if you choose a scenic route. One thing is for certain; the pounds will come off and you'll also have more energy.

Like all weight loss programs, walking to lose weight is the most effective when you combine it with an increase in activity and reduction in caloric intake. You can start by walking a certain distance and then increase that distance before you increase your speed. The reason for this is that you burn more calories per mile when you walk at a leisurely pace and you'll also build muscle while burning those calories. Building muscle will not only burn extra calories, it will also speed up your metabolism.

If your goal is to lose weight and stay in shape you need to set up a routine and follow it. The thing that makes walking the perfect exercise is the fact that there is no equipment necessary, so there is no reason for you not to get started immediately. If you want to achieve maximum results, most doctors agree it's best to begin by walking every day for 5-10 minutes and gradually increase this to 30-60 minutes, so let's say eventually walking for about 45 minutes a day would be good. It's advisable not to take any more than one or two days off a week when walking to loose weight.

The speed at which you walk is also important and most experts agree you should begin at an easy pace. Eventually, you should be able to walk at a fast pace and still carry on a conversation in complete sentences. The only instance in which race-walking is recommended is if you are walking for at least 20 miles a week.

Using a journal to track you progress can be fun and doing so may also give you an incentive to keep going. It's your choice to measure how well you're doing to by either the number of pounds you loose or the number of inches. Set realistic goals when you begin walking to loose weight and create a schedule you can stick to so that walking becomes almost a habit. Another good idea is to find a friend to walk with, perhaps someone who also needs to loose weight.