Walking to Lose Weight - Does Walking For Weight Loss Really Work?

Is walking to lose weight a practical plan to shed extrashort time, such as fifteen minutes, three times per
pounds, or is it something that's too easy to reallyweek. After a week, you might increase this to thirty
work? The truth is, walking can be a very healthy andminutes. in a month, you may be comfortable walking
effective way to help you lose weight. Of course, youfor forty five minutes to an hour at a faster pace. You
have to combine walking with a sensible diet and adon't have to go crazy trying to time yourself or
healthy lifestyle. You also have to do it consistently.calculate your rate of walking --unless you are
Many people assume that walking is not goodsomeone who enjoys measuring everything!
exercise because it's not as strenuous as running,Where should you walk? This will depend on where
jogging, riding a bike or other aerobic exercise. Walking,you live, and on your own preferences. If you live in a
in fact, burns more calories than you might think. Forcity, sidewalks are fine. So are public parks. Some
example, if you weigh 150 pounds and walk at apeople prefer the discipline of walking around a track,
speed of 3 miles per hour, you will burn approximatelywhich can be indoors or outdoors. It's good to have
120 calories in a half hour. You could, of course, burnoptions in case of bad weather, so that you don't miss
that many calories faster if you jogged or ran insteadweeks at a time in winter or during rainy periods.
of walked. However, the strain on your joints is muchWalking speeds up your metabolism and can reduce
greater with these activities. So many people start offyour appetite. Be sure to drink plenty of water after a
with strenuous exercise programs only to injure theirwalk, even if you don't feel especially dehydrated.
knee or back, and then end up not exercising at all forWater is good for you, especially after exercise, and it
months on end! With walking, you are engaging in oneis another factor that speeds up your metabolism.
of the safest and most natural of activities.Walking to lose weight will also get you in a more
You can gradually increase the amount of time and/oractive frame of mind, which can help you feel better
the speed at which you walk. If you are not used toand get more done --as well as helping you to shed
exercise, start off walking at a comfortable pace for athose unwanted pounds!