When you want to up your health game, a simple approach is going to help you get there sooner rather than later. While it is easy to be led astray by promises from weight loss supplements, fancy gym equipment and more, all you really need to do to start to boost your health is to incorporate some type of exercise into your daily routine as often as possible. One way to do that is by simply adding a walking routine to your day’s plans.
Combine this with a sensible eating plan and you will be well on your way to success. As with any exercise, when you first start walking, start off slowly and work up the amount of time you spend walking and the distance you cover.
If you have any type of health or joint issue, always consult your medical provider before starting on any type of exercise program. This way your medical provider can give you any extra advice that will only add to your success.
So why choose walking? Well, walking is a great activity for anyone at any fitness level, or age. It’s perfect for those of you who are really out of shape, or overweight. Walking is easy on your joints, and you can increase your walks according to your ability.
On the plus side you don’t need any special equipment for walking. You should however, invest in a good pair of walking shoes. Otherwise you may find that your feet hurt.
There are many places you can walk all year long. If you live in a colder climate you can walk indoors at your local mall during the winter. Many malls open early to accommodate walkers, plus it’s perfect for moms with stroller’s too.
If you own a dog, become the official dog walker. You can walk with your grandkids or kids or invite friends and neighbours to walk with you. Hey, you could even start a local walking club. This would make walking fun for you, and if you are walking with a friend it provides you with motivation to meet them and walk – you wouldn’t want to let your friend down by not showing up!
After a couple of weeks, you will start to notice that your fitness level will start improving. This is a good sign that it’s now time to increase the intensity of your walks. Either walk a little faster, or go a little further. As you improve you may also want to add hand or ankle weights as well.
Another great way to increase your walking is to find some hilly terrain to walk on. See if you can walk up some nearby hills!
With so many options and so many ways to make your walking more fun and get more benefit from the time you walk, it just makes sense to include walking into your overall fitness plan.
As we mentioned at the beginning of this article, you need to pay attention to the foods you are putting in your body. This will have a huge impact on your overall weight loss success. Be aware of what you are eating, and your portion sizes. As you exercise more you will want to add more fruits and veggies to your meals, as they will help with reducing the amount of oxidative stress that increased exercise brings.
Also, try to eat healthy, fresh whole foods as much as possible. Just staying away from fast food and packaged foods will help you knock off those extra unwanted pounds. Why not start looking for some new recipes to try? You can easily find recipes online these days. Look for ones that are heart healthy, low cholesterol and are low in carbohydrates. To save money try to find recipes that use foods that are in season.
Walking for better health is the perfect way to get started on creating a healthier lifestyle for yourself and your family. Remember to start slowly and then increase the intensity as your fitness level increase. Believe me, you will feel better, lose weight and start sleeping better. Who doesn’t want that?
CLOSE