| If you would like to lose a little weight and | | | | The recommendation of many health and fitness |
| generally get into better shape, like many of us | | | | professionals is that we should try to walk 10,000 |
| would, then it is very simple. You must consume | | | | steps a day. That equates to a distance of |
| fewer calories by eating and drinking than you | | | | between four and a half and five miles for the |
| expend as a result of physical exercise. Do this | | | | average person. It sounds like a long way - but |
| consistently over a period of time and you will be | | | | you may be pleasantly surprised at how easy it is |
| certain to lose weight. There is no big secret, no | | | | to achieve. Remember, that 10,000 steps is the |
| wonder drug and no miracle health supplement | | | | total distance, it includes the normal walking that |
| involved. | | | | you do every day anyway. You aren't starting |
| Basically, if you want to lose weight, then you | | | | from scratch. |
| need to eat and drink less (diet), burn more | | | | Leave the car at home and walk to work - or |
| calories (exercise) - or both. In fact, the best | | | | get off the bus a couple of stops early and finish |
| solution is very definitely to do both | | | | the last part of your journey on foot. If you do |
| simultaneously. Taking regular exercise will increase | | | | decide to take the car then just park it in a |
| your metabolic rate - the rate at which you burn | | | | faraway corner of the parking lot so that you |
| calories. As long as you exercise on a regular | | | | need to walk further. Take the stairs instead of |
| basis then you will burn calories at a greater rate | | | | the lift. Take a fifteen minute walk at lunch time. |
| when you're not exercising, for example sitting | | | | It all adds up. |
| watching the TV, typing on your computer or | | | | Other than a comfortable pair of shoes, no special |
| even sleeping. | | | | equipment is required to start a walking exercise |
| Of course, the very thought of exercising can be | | | | program. However, you might find it useful to |
| off-putting for many people - but there's no | | | | invest in a pedometer - especially if your walking |
| reason to avoid exercise, it needn't involve getting | | | | is broken up into short sessions throughout your |
| all hot, sweaty and out of breath. One of the | | | | day. It will help you to keep track of your |
| very best exercises that you can do is walking, | | | | progress and to stay motivated. |
| something which the large majority of us do | | | | If you are able to fit longer walks into your day |
| every single day. You just need to walk a little | | | | then you might also want to think about getting |
| more often and a little further and you will soon | | | | an mp3 player if you don't already have one. The |
| reap the rewards - and there are numerous | | | | miles and the time will pass much faster when |
| benefits available to anyone who walks on a | | | | you're walking along listening to your favourite |
| regular basis. | | | | tunes. |