| Walking is one of the best ways to keep fit and | | | | you can lay out a route around a room or several |
| to lose weight. Just about everyone can walk and | | | | rooms and walk. Clear any obstacles from your |
| it need not even be an organised walk. The steps | | | | path and just walk round the room briskly. You |
| you take during your everyday activities count | | | | can accumulate lots of steps that way. |
| toward your total distance walked during the day. | | | | Counting the number of steps you take in a day, |
| You can add greatly to your total steps by just | | | | at work or at home, is much simpler if you use a |
| giving it a little thought. Walk to the bus stop and | | | | pedometer. This is a small device which you clip |
| get off the bus a block or two away from your | | | | on your belt and it counts every step you take |
| destination. Walk the rest of the way. Don,t use | | | | during the day. You can buy elaborate |
| the elevator for just a floor or two up or | | | | pedometers which do speed and distance |
| down--walk on the stairs. Don,t phone or email | | | | calculations or monitor your heart rate. Some will |
| someone in your office. Walk down to see and | | | | estimate the calories you have burnt up by |
| talk to them. When you are waiting for a bus or | | | | walking. If one of these will be interesting and fun |
| in the airport walk around briskly and add many | | | | for you go for it. You can buy a simple |
| steps to your total. Simple measures like these | | | | pedometer to count your steps for around $5 |
| are so easy to do and they will burn up many | | | | and up which is adequate for your needs. |
| calories. If you don,t overeat this will definitely | | | | You can set a target for a certain number of |
| boost your weight loss. | | | | steps per day and find ways to get to that total. |
| Take a good walk every day if possible. Wear | | | | 10,000 steps per day is something that many |
| comfortable walking shoes and clothing. Walk | | | | people aim for. This is equivalent to about a five |
| briskly for a mile or two if you can. If you are | | | | mile walk and will burn up lots of calories for you. |
| not fit enough to do that just walk as far as you | | | | Aim for a lower total at first, if this is too much |
| can and you will soon be able to extend your daily | | | | for you, and work up to it as your fitness |
| distance. Remember when you walk that you | | | | improves and you lose pounds. |
| have to make the return trip also, so don,t walk | | | | There is no doubt about it walking is one of the |
| to exhaustion then overdo it to get home again. | | | | very best ways for anyone to keep fit. Even if |
| In bad weather indoor walking helps just as much | | | | you are in poor shape to start off, you will rapidly |
| as walking outdoors. Many shopping malls have | | | | improve as you walk a little more each day. |
| mall walking programs and even if your local mall | | | | Standard cautions apply here. If your health is less |
| does not have a program there is nothing to | | | | than perfect you should consult your doctor |
| prevent you and your friends walking the mall. | | | | before embarking on any exercise program |
| Even in your own home, no matter how small | | | | including walking. |