Thursday, September 15, 2011

Walking For Weight Loss Is Simple And Free




Are you feeling sluggish and unfit and a bit overweight? Break out, feel alive again and start your walking for weight loss and wellness today. It is cheap, easy and simple but has many benefits.





The whole family can be involved and if done briskly and regularly will make a meaningful difference to your life. Walking and talking seem to be synonymous. Even at a brisk walking pace you can quite easily have a chat. There is no excuse not to take a walk. Walking is possible just about everywhere and in any conditions.





No special equipment is required. Just a comfortable pair of shoes and the appropriate clothing for the weather and off you go.





In many cases people wonder how something as basic as walking can be of any benefit in losing weight. This really depends on how serious you want to be about it. Walking can be done at many different levels. At one end of the spectrum there is the extremely fit, slim, world-class competitive walkers. At the other end of the spectrum there are elderly people who take a gentle daily stroll. In many cases walking is just the start of a whole new exercise mind set as one realizes the benefits and pleasures of exercise.





With a walking you are not going to lose a massive amount of weight quickly. A gentle stroll may only use an additional 100 calories per hour and walking at a pace of 10kph an hour in the region of 250 Calories per hour. To consume the 3500 calories in a pound of fat could take anything up to 35, or more, hours of walking.





However there are many other benefits from walking. It will raise your heart rate, it will improve the functioning of a number of your internal systems, you will breathe more deeply and heavily and many parts of your body will be called on to work a bit harder. It will also relieve stress.





Walking is not very stressful on the joints but it will strengthen them and is a good defence against diseases like osteoporosis.





Hiking has become a very popular pastime with people getting out into the country and walking trails. This has the added benefit in that often one is carrying additional weight and the unevenness of the paths adds that slight additional stress to the joints and tendons. Building them up and strengthening them.





Start out walking at a comfortable pace and for a short period (about 30 minutes) and build up both the speed and distance as your fitness improves. Avoid trying to do too much too soon as even with walking there is a chance that one might get some niggling little injury which may put an end to your motivation of walking to lose weight.





Start today and keep it up, you'll be surprised at how quickly you start enjoying it, feeling better and stronger, less stress and tension, sleeping better and the weight loss will be an added benefit.







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Weight loss and fitness go hand in hand to improve your quality of life. Patrick Millerd, who has spent his life staying fit, can help you find your weight loss solution so you feel better and can do more at http://www.weightoffsuccess.com