People keep telling you that walking is the ideal exercise. Sure, it gives you more energy and gets you fit and toned, but what about body fat? Walking doesn’t really seem to be strenuous enough to really work off that extra roll; after all, it’s just walking, right? Learn a few trouble-free tips that will enhance your walking routine, and you’ll soon be burning off that fat faster than you can say, “Take a hike!”
Step 1
Extend the distance that you walk each day. Adding an extra block each day is an easy way to add up the miles without straining your muscles; don’t go so far that you’re sore afterward because you won’t feel up to repeating. Try to work your way up to 3 to 5 miles a day.
Step 2
Speed up your pace a bit more each day. You don’t have to jog or run, but you want to get your heart rate up and still be able to breathe normally. Keep your walk enjoyable so you look forward to going each day. Walking at a brisk pace will burn about 23 more calories an hour; bump it up to a fast pace and you’ll burn 210 more.
Step 3
Add ankle and hand weights to your routine. Carrying weights helps tone your arms and legs faster and will burn about 75 more calories an hour. Start out with 1-pound weights and work up to 5; if you find your muscles getting sore, switch off and use the weights every other day.
Step 4
Look for a route that adds inclines or hills to your walking routine. This will stretch and tone leg muscles that aren’t usually taxed during a walk on level ground and you’ll burn that fat faster. Many parks have walking trails that will add variety to your routine.
Step 5
Vary your body movement while you walk. Swing your arms with your stride or pull them up and down in a marching movement. This will give more movement to your abdomen and the more you move, the more you’ll reduce your overall body fat.
