Walking Intervals for Losing Weight
Interval training is a popular concept for increasing the fat burning of regular exercise say walking, jogging or running. It’s very popular on the treadmill particularly when walking to lose weight, because it works really well with the ease of buttons to press which alter speed or gradient, and you can measure heart rate for hitting specific target rates.
It is effective for toning or adding aerobic levels of exercise when a routine is not having the muscle and heart training effect. Once a body has adjusted to a level or type of exercise it works less at it, meaning less energy (calories) is required and it’s fat burning decreases but all that has to be done to re-stimulate the calorie burning is to shock the body into working again by changing or increasing the intensity of what you are doing.
It works brilliantly on a treadmill, or in an exercise class or with a personal trainer. Walking or exercise dvds should have higher fat burning options.
An easier way to add intensity to a regular walking to lose weight routine other than increasing the pace is by varying the terrain. In some way increase the energy used during a normal route by walking off the path, on gravel, or grass and an uneven surface. Anything which makes you lift your feet higher or sidestep, alter pace etc. will require more energy e.g. walk up that hill you normally avoid.
I also find that varying the walking surface for one walk a week to a “harder” one then normal also has an effect. This could mean walking on the beach or on a bush track instead of a treadmill or concrete path.
This increased intensity also works to stimulate renewed interest for you in what you are doing. The same routine can become comfortable but ‘phoned in’. Your body needs to know it is working! And to get the natural high which results from pushing just a little harder.
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I found that losing weight is not that hard as anyone would think. It sure takes commitment and following a simple plan but the key element is persistance.
You need to monitor the calories, lose the junk food, sodas, sweets and do some physical exercises. I myself love dancing. And remember to use a fat burner to accelerate the fat metabolism.