How to make walking interesting. On a number of occasions I’ve been asked about my interpretation of walking to lose weight to include just about anything a person can do. Well, duh! That is what I do. I make the exercise that my body requires for me to lead the life I want, as easy, interesting, likely, as I can. My most basic, easy to do, and likable activity, is walking. Then I add to it. And I add to it in ways which enhance my chances of keeping it up. This has come from long experience of walking and when I do it and when I don’t.
Consistency is the key. First rule is to make it feel good not only today but tomorrow. I mean that I do enough to have a positive bodily effect (pleasure, fitness, weight loss) but not so much that it decreases my interest in going walking the next day. Secondly, if possible I mix in tasks as much as I can. So if it fits my schedule I will walk to a shopping centre (unless I want to get heavy items) particularly for paying bills, buying stamps, renting dvds etc.; then walk up to the local hardware store and back; i might check out a potential purchase- get information, competitive brand availability and pricing. Lastly, I if I need to, I step it up! Say I wanted to go Machu Picchu for a trek – well I’d really ramp up the activity for training purposes. Generally that is not the case for me..I like to travel in comfort. More likely I might want to lose inches in a hurry, so I will do extra activity, maybe at the gym or with a super long walk.
Keep it interesting! I am absolutely certain that to make something a part of my everyday life i need to reinforce this intention in every way which works for me. That includes getting the latest toy, or at least talking about it, trying out variations to see if something is better, get other accessories or information (dvds, books, magazines). Just as anything else which is a part of your life gets attention and planning, walking to lose weight needs the same commitment. Take it seriously, and make it fun!!
December 27th, 2008 at 11:11 pm
[...] so it’s worth persevering. Walking itself comes into that category. i supplement my weight loss program with the gym, WiiFit, games, ipods, dvds, friends, [...]