How You Can Walk Your Way to Weight Loss
By Genevieve Cunningham
Walking is a great exercise. For some, that seems too good to be true. That’s all I have to do? Just walk? While it’s true that simply increasing the amount of time that you spend walking can bring some big fitness results, there may be a few things that you can do to help pick up the pace and maximize the results. If you’re interested in losing weight and improving your fitness, take a look at how to make walking work for you.
Go Uphill
Walking up an incline forces the muscles in the legs to work harder. By the end of your walk, you’ll have burned more calories and likely feel more strain in your legs. So where can you find an incline? It’s probably easier than you think. If you have access to a treadmill, simply set the incline at a steeper level. If you don’t have access to a treadmill, find a hill, stairs, or a ramp that slopes upward. Go as slow or as quickly as you must, but give it your all in order to feel and see the results.
Go Faster
You don’t have to run, but if you want to burn more calories in less time, go faster! Are you really walking, or are you strolling? Are you able to carry on a full conversation, or are you pushing yourself until you’re out of breath? It’s OK if you want to take it easy from time to time, but the real results will come when you push yourself harder and pick up the pace of your feet.
Use Resistance
Resistance comes in handy in many workouts. It forces the muscles to work harder, burns more calories, and makes the workout feel more challenging and satisfying. And walking is absolutely no different. How do you use resistance in a walk? Try ankle weights. Do your normal walking routine, but fasten ankle weights to each leg. You can also try pushing a stroller with your kids. This adds easily 40 or 50 pounds to the challenge. If you don’t have kids, you can push anything that rolls, or you may even be able to pull a rope with various things attached. Get creative! Resistance can definitely work if you decide to really work it.
Walking can definitely help you lose weight. And if you’re willing to put in a little extra effort, you can lose faster, improve your appearance, and feel better than ever, too. Use these tips to make your walking workout better and more challenging, and enjoy the health boost that comes with it.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Collierville, Tenn.