Walking For Weight Loss - Does It Work?

If, in common with so many of us, you would like to lose a few pounds and get into better shape, then this is something that is both simple and achievable. There's no big secret - if you want to lose weight then you need to burn off more calories by exercising than you consume by eating and drinking. If you do this consistently over a period of time then your weight will reduce. There is no magic pill or wonder drug required.

Basically, if you want to lose weight, then you need to eat and drink less (diet), burn more calories (exercise) - or both. The best solution, without any shadow of a doubt, is to do both. Taking regular exercise will increase your metabolic rate - the rate at which you burn calories. As long as you exercise on a regular basis then you will burn calories at a greater rate when you're not exercising, for example sitting watching the TV, typing on your computer or even sleeping.

Of course, the very thought of exercising can be off-putting for many people - but there's no reason to avoid exercise, it needn't involve getting all hot, sweaty and out of breath. One of the very best exercises that you can do is walking, something which the large majority of us do every single day. You simple need to walk a little further and a little more often and you will soon see the benefit - and there are many health benefits available to those who walk on a regular basis.

The recommendation of many health and fitness professionals is that we should try to walk 10,000 steps a day. For the average person that's roughly equivalent to somewhere between four and a half and five miles. It sounds like a long way - but you may be pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to achieve. Remember, that 10,000 steps is the total distance, it includes the normal walking that you do every day anyway. You're not starting from scratch.

Leave the car at home and walk to work - or get off the bus one or two stops before you reach your final destination and complete the last leg 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.

Apart from a pair of comfortable shoes, you don't need any special equipment to get the benefits of walking for exercise. However, you might find it useful to invest in a pedometer - especially if your walking is broken up into short sessions throughout your day. It will help you to keep track of your progress and to stay motivated.

If you are able to fit longer walks into your day then you might also want to think about getting an mp3 player if you don't already have one. The miles and the time will pass much faster when you're walking along listening to your favourite tunes.


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