Many people would like to lose a few pounds, get in better shape and improve their general health and fitness levels. The problem is that it takes effort, time and money in order to achieve this. Some commitment is required – it’s something that needs to be undertaken on a regular basis.
Becoming a member of a gym or a health club requires a commitment of both time and money. Monthly gym membership fees can be rather high, and finding enough time (and energy) for an hour long session can be easier said than done after a hard day at work. And don’t forget that it takes a lot of physical effort. You’ll need to get hot, sweaty and out of breath if you want to reap the rewards.
Of course, there are other options than the gym. You could buy your own exercise bike, treadmill or rowing machine and save time on gym visits of course. You won’t have any monthly fees to pay – but the cost of whatever equipment you choose will need to be offset against any savings. Whatever type of equipment you select, it will take up a fair bit of space in your house. You will still need to do the whole hot and sweaty workout thing – albeit in the comfort of your own home.
There is a relatively easy way to get in shape, lose weight and raise your overall health and fitness level. The reason that it works – and works far better than you might imagine – is because instead of asking you to do something new, unfamiliar and uncomfortable, it is based upon doing something that you already do every day – but doing it a little more. That’s a lot more palatable for most people.
Walking is an activity that most of us do every single day. The problem is that, in this modern world, we don’t do enough of it. There seems to be a general consensus amongst health and fitness professionals that we should target 10,000 steps on a daily basis in order to achieve the numerous health benefits offered by walking. However, a typical sedentary office worker might take as little as 2,000 steps a day. It sounds like a big gap to bridge – but it’s surprisingly easy to do.
Leaving the car at home and walking to work, school or the shops is a good start. Or, if you do take the car, just park in a far corner of the lot so that you have further to walk in order to reach the entrance. If you use the bus or the subway, get off a couple of stops before your final destination and finish your journey on foot. At lunchtime, instead of eating a sandwich at your desk, get out of the office and go for a short walk. When you get a call on your cell phone, walk and talk. Leave the elevator and take the stairs. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at just how quickly these small changes begin to add up. You will also be delighted at just how rapidly you’ll be able to see and feel the benefits.
Getting yourself a pedometer might not be a bad idea. That will help you to record your progress and may also be a good way of keeping your motivation high. If you want, you can also raise the efficiency of your walking to lose weight workout schedule by wearing special toning footwear – Reebok Easy Tones, Skechers Shape Ups and Fitflops sandals are the best known brands on the market right now. They are specially designed to make your lower body muscles carry out a little extra work when you walk around in them. You might as well use technology to your advantage.
Boost the effectiveness of your walking workout regime using Fit flops exercise shoes. Keep your motivation levels high by using an Omron pedometer to monitor your progress.