This video below is fun for me because when I first started Walking to Lose Weight blog I wrote a post about avoiding excuses for not walking and included a video with the same topic and from memory the same doctor talking about walking for weight loss in the rain. In the first video he was holding an umbrella! Walking to lose weight is a lifestyle because of the dedication you demonstrate when overcoming the ‘issues’ that you can choose to let get in the way, or choose to look for answers or solutions to resolving the obstacle.

The first step is to make an attitude change if for some reason the ease of starting walking has led you to believe that you will never have to change your mind or food habits, make decisions supporting your new hobby and try doing it differently occasionally.

Walking in the rain or going to the gym, using a treadmill at home, walking early morning in the  local mall…These are some examples of solutions for weather problems that I use all the time!

Think of it this way-I am an active person (or becoming an active person) so I will do what an active person would do under these circumstances. An active person feels better for exercising so prioritizes it, an active person sees benefits for herself and others (children, partner, other walkers) from her activity, so feels good about doing it. An active person finds way to make walking, exercise, running more than a means to an end, because there is no end. Old age is not about sitting back and relaxing! Use the extra wisdom you’ve gained from those years and enjoy living.

However tiredness is a potential problem that can be resolved with trial and error. How much tiredness is from muscles and joints getting a workout for the first time ever perhaps? How much is from physical exhaustion? When you increase your level of exertion such as I did from the beginning of this month it has an effect on your tiredness during and at the end of the day.

Take a lesson from athletes and take care of yourself with proper treatment of injuries or concerns. There is a vast array of creams and potions for strains and blisters etc. so use self care first unless you have done something serious where professional help is necessary.

For hints and tips for how I stay above the real world issues that could prevent staying focused on walking to lose weight join my free mailing list for insight and advice from my ebook.

The point is to do as much with what you’ve got until the time you can develop higher fitness levels or have reached your personal limit. Stretch those boundaries to determine just how far you can go.

Keep on with the walking even if at lower intensity until any physical ailment resolves itself. If you are really tired then sleep-an early night or cat nap worked well for me when long work days added stress to the list of issues. Walking aids depression sufferers so it may actually be the ‘fix’ needed.

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The new Walking to Lose Weight is about the lifestyle skills learned from adapting your way of life for health, fitness and joie de vivre.

I’m writing from this perspective. Studies reveal that the behavior such as exercise and eating style required to lose weight is the basic behavior required to keep it off.

The original impetus for me to start was walking to lose weight. This process of integrating walking and pedometer steps into my lifestyle turned out to be a significant change to my  approach to life.

This blog, and others, enabled me to use the turnaround process I had developed elsewhere for my own well being benefit. If you have read since the beginning of this blog, August 2008, you may have noticed a new emphasis develop. It really was a personal attempt to make walking a consistent part of my life. Over time I moved from the regulation technical and fact oriented regurgitation of well established (although not undisputed) theories of weight loss. I realized that more than that was required and it had a lot to do with how I viewed my life and the world as I saw it.

OK that’s a big jump, and there are a lot of steps in between. I hope to make the leap easy for you.

Lifestyle change is not easy when it is voluntary. It allows wobbling, changing your mind, not taking the harder decision, getting confused along the way.

We (humans) seem to feel better with a simple answer, such as change only one aspect and get the whole problem resolved. This makes it seem achievable. This is good. If you don’t start with enthusiasm it is even harder to change.

Walking as a weight loss process tends to be the preferred option for those with issues around exercise and maybe diet.

It is so simple to make the time and do it. But then it requires doing more to continue the weight loss impact. Then it requires solving issues such as injuries or stress, tiredness, time conflicts. And doing it every day seems harder than you thought. Why is that?

Walking for weight loss and using the 10000 steps program for instance, requires a considerble lifestyle adaption.

It means looking for support from people other then friends and family or in addition to them because their goals may not complement yours that well.

It can be done; but it requires a period of time to blossom into its full potential as little bit by little bit you find your issues are resolved and some even disappear.

OK now it is practically possible but what’s this?

Sometimes you don’t feel like it. Sometimes you’re distracted, bored, off color.

What do you do then?

One day or even two doesn’t matter…unless you give up and decide its too hard, you’re not up to it, it works for others but not for me.

Keeping to a lifestyle change which is voluntary, and most of us prefer our changes to be of this type, requires more of something we don’t always have consistently over long periods and that is unfailing enthusuasm.

This is no different to other issues within our lifestyles that we know we can change for the better… but it seems too hard, others disagree, maybe it isn’t possible… Your lifestyle at the moment probably grew over time with changes integrated haphazardly until now it is what it is and mostly it seems unchangeable. Inertia has set in and the momentum is towards keeping it going in the same way.

Any lifestyle change of significance, done over time, requires a perseverance and positive attitude. There is a transition necessary and if this process is seen as failure than you may give up before the success you so desired.

Dramatic changes such as the sudden onset of illness or winning the lottery are quick disruptions to old patterns but dealing with, or coping with them in your life, takes time for the new adaptations to be comfortable

Longer term processes such as weight loss require these adaption tasks ahead of the overt change.

Necessary now is a way of thinking and attitude to support the change.

Weight loss is an example of life style change. Another example is starting a home business.

Now we’re getting to the connection to your personal and world views.

Having what it takes to make and then keep to these changes requires a mental and emotional outlook which keeps you up for it.

These abilities are distinct to the individual but exist in each of us. Whether we can access them depends on our own limits and aspirations. That is your world view and your attitude to life.

This is a big concept for some and a non-issue for others. My work life involves mentoring those who would like me to help them make the connection to making the big changes over time.

I will continue writing abut the connection your view of the world has to your success.

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Because of this it can also come undone when the other layers of requirements are added if the whole basis of walking for the walker has been its ease. Adding 20 minutes a day is generally easy -remembering to do it being the biggest problem for most at this point.

After that it is the refinements to the walking to lose weight process which continues the weight loss and health/fitness increases, as well.  The first step is to get going and become a regular walker. Then once this is established start reducing the calories and volume of food eaten. Continue to upgrade the walking to lose weight process.

What is required:

• starting;

• adding to the time or intensity  level;

• watching what you eat;

• make sure you drink enough;

• correct any mistakes e.g. eating too little;

• add to the variety to stress muscles for higher calorie burn;

• repeat the process.

Stress, worries, physical changes- all have a detrimental impact on our bodies if we let them. Avoiding letting them requires strategies to avoid this. It is far easier to correct these as you go then try to back track and undo the cumulative effects of long term physical well being neglect. This of course is different from, although may include, medical care and wellness which often overlooks physical well being as a criteria.

The simple process of walking to lose weight can introduce general well being along with the weight loss which also contributes its own health benefits. However once you had successfully added the twenty minutes walking to lose weight each day, the game moves on- now it is time to do this twice a day, or add in an hours walk on the weekend, etc.

There is a lot to refine to determine exactly how you can get the best results for you. We recommend our newletter which is for those who want more positivity and energy in their lives daily! Sign up for The New Walker on the right hand side column and become part of the new-style walking to lose weight community.

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I am looking for ideas to add to and improve my walking experience. It seems that there is a constant stream of ideas from walking accessories, Iphone applications, and medical research to the latest fad nutritional supplement.

Each New Year we tend to look at the coming year and focus on some aspect of life, maybe very specifically-I’ll take the dog for an hour walk every day- to the general, such as using all the latest “help” available to continue the walking to lose weight program. This is an ongoing commitment to walking to lose weight as it is a lifestyle change into an active person for you.

One way to keep the attention on walking for weight loss is to ensure fresh ideas overlaid on the basics.

The two new ideas to grab my attention for 2010 are the iPhone apps such as Weight Watchers and the chili supplement which has incorporated calorie burning by metabolism enhancement.

iPhone:

I am a big pedometer fan and find the low tech versions to be fantastic for those starting out with walking to lose weight. If you like to play with a bit more technique however a more advanced version such as the one mentioned on the right could be more to your liking. The sales link is to my Amazon affiliate account.

The various iPhone apps with every weight loss concept covered are enticing. Sometimes this can be an illusion, especially if the technical side is not a joy to you. There is not a way for the iPhone to magically cause weight loss or do the walk for you. I am considering it, not as a specific weight loss tool, but the technical side requires some commitment on my part.

Chili

Protective encapsulation protects one’s stomach from inflammation and the supplement increases calories burned without walking, etc. I’m not sure why this is supposed to happen.

However 2010 is the year for new and fresh ideas for walking to lose weight and weight loss for me.

Anyone wishing to make comments on the Iphone for weight loss, or the chili supplement are welcome.

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Having had a few instances of leaving my regular disciplined approach to food and walking for weight loss during social occasions I can comment about it. However it is much easier for me and others who follow a standard walking for weight loss program with moderate food control, to recover from it and usually increase the weight loss and trimming process.

Walking to lose weight is the most popular form of exercise for weight loss. Make this your New Year, the one that is really going to propel your life forward. You have something to contribute by staying focused. Remember that fun is part of walking for weight loss.

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That’s when pedometer steps helps! By wearing a pedometer daily it is easy to get started. In fact the busier the day the better. Make a game out of fitting in extra steps especially when it seems difficult. Walk while waiting, fill in time with picking up toys or clothes (bend and take each item back to its spot individually), walk from the back of the house or the office instead of shouting or phoning.

Walk to the shops. Walk to the other side of the car park. Walk down the stairs instead of using the lift.

Walking for weight loss can be taken too seriously. Walking or exercise can be taken too seriously.

Make it easy on yourself.

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Those of us who are specifically using the process to lose weight have to decide is it a temporary fix or is it to be a lifetime commitment?

The advantage of a commitment to walking weight loss, once it is built in to the normal day, is that it makes you feel better.

The weight loss becomes a byproduct of the walking. Walking to lose weight is perfect for well being and associated life benefits.

A pedometer is the best walking for weight loss tool. The incentive to drive those steps up increases as you get into movement as a life skill!

When walking for weight loss is such an asset why hesitate? Get started straight away. The walking lifestyle is a happy one-check out people who walk a lot and see if they are happy.

Walking to lose weight.

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The number one complaint of those who are willing but unable to exercise is because it is hard to fit into the busy day.

Walking for weight loss can be done in a  number of ways:

take a 10 to 20 minute walk once or twice each day;

take a longer walk of at least one hour, once, twice or three times a week;

count pedometer steps.

Each will appeal or be successful because of the circumstances and preferences of your life.

The ritual of a regular, preferably daily walking schedule can contribute to its’ success but the two or three times a week ritual can also work.

Walking for weight loss becomes  familiar and benefits many people who can fit a walk to work or walk after school, into their lifestyle. It is less easy for those with more stressful routines which generally means a lack of regular commitments which allow planning. For these people the flexibility of counting pedometer steps becomes a real advantage.

Couple this with the established incentive of having a target against which to challenge yourself.

Many programs aimed at increasing exercise or walking for weight loss include a pedometer as the main weight loss tool.

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And while I know people who swear Pilates is the only thing which keeps them functioning, the same is claimed for walking from those with back problems.

It is  more likely to be that both have major benefits and are not direct substitutes for each other. Walking has weight loss and strengthening effects on the muscles of the lower body but does not do much for the shape of your bottom.

Pilates is dedicated to strengthening the core muscle groups and this is obviously a very effective when tightening and toning rather than trying to lose weight.

Each is of benefit however walking for weight loss is an every day and life time commitment. Counting pedometer steps is a very easy way to include activity of all sorts in your lifestyle!

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Well it is…but there is a difficulty in measuring techniques and self measuring especially. How accurate are your measurements?

A good policy is to get someone else preferably a professional who has been trained but a girl friend (or wife) would do, to take the measurements. As this can be embarrassing this may not be your preferred option. If so do it yourself but be sure that you know exactly where you are measuring and repeat it at least one time to check the result. I do the bust or nipple line, under the bust (bra line), the waist at its smallest, hips (largest point), upper thigh and lower thigh (just above the knee) and the arm between the shoulder and elbow.

Obviously give yourself some time walking for weight loss before checking to see how many inches (!) you have lost. How long to leave depends on the frequency and type of exercise. My old routine was to leave it for 10 days of 10,000 steps before checking. Counting pedometer steps is one of the easiest ways to lose weight.

The type of exercise will also affect where you see the results.

Even though we are told that spot reduction doesn’t work and loss depends upon overall body fat reduction, if you measure you will find definite differences in the rates of loss. Weight training is great at sculpting the more difficult body parts. Walking to lose weight particularly walking up hills, naturally tightens thighs and bottom. The top half of the body can be neglected when walking for weight loss so it helps to add arm movements perhaps using hand weights during your walking routine.

We all know about buying jeans or some other item of clothing “hoping” that they will be an incentive for weight loss. How often does that work?

But I do recommend purchasing or finding a piece of clothing which is just too tight. It needn’t be expensive and may not even be something you want to wear but it can act as a demonstration of weight loss. It needs to not do up or strain across buttons etc. then take a photo. Over time check on the fit and notice where your measurements have changed. If necessary look at the photo to reassure yourself that it does now fit better. If certain parts are not reducing at the required rate then take specific action for that area.

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