The Secret to Walking to Lose Weight.
Why would anyone blog on walking for weight loss? It’s not something that whimsically amuses me to do. It has a deliberate intention. I am creating a venue for all I need to successfully lose weight and keep it off. It is the culmination of seventeen years of experience of different approaches to exercise and weight control. And during this time I have had many short term successes in this area. One of the biggest difficulties has been the lack of clarity that can descend during the process of reducing- when you stop seeing progress even though it is there.
This is my secret: Do what you know works;
Have a check list;
Work though each point, moving on as it is accomplished;
Trust the process even if your mind starts telling you not to;
Give success the time it needs;
Continue until your goal is met;
Keep on doing it.
This is my approach to anything really. When it comes to walking to lose weight, this is how it plays out.
I know exercise works. I’ve done a lot of different things over the short term, however failing to incorporate the changes into my life, just treating exercise like a cure when what I wanted is a preventative solution.
I know there are a few different aspects which have to be successfully negotiated: the exercise must be consistent, adjustable for location, weather, cost, safety, health, intensity, interest; it must be easy to do, anywhere any time; it must take priority in my schedule – which means it must be able to fit in to my timetable by double tasking (joining with other commitments).
My ‘secret’ exercise is activity. That’s it, simple physical movement. But a lot more than I ever previously used daily. I am of the era of labor saving devices, routines streamlined for efficiency, etc. In other words a generation which actively discouraged physical movement. Where sitting in one place has become the norm and activity becomes a planned “event” for adults. The result has been not enough movement for many people.
Now I am putting back into my day as much walking as I can. Then I supplement that with additional exercise, often walking again. There is a self assessment level required. Walking occasionally is not enough. Walking most days is required. Additional effort is required. Use different muscles: bend, jump, skip, dance; to increase the fun and the effectiveness. Then walking/activity becomes a joy. And it leads to an amazing life. Where my energy enables me to fit more into my day than I thought possible; where illness is really rare; I can wear anything I want to; I can do just about anything I desire.
I am not extreme in any way about this- not a marathoner, gym junkie, champion dancer, etc. The most extreme thing I am doing is this blog!
Walk Away the Pounds dvd is another way of adding excitement to the walking for weight loss program-variety helps.
