Walking to Lose Weight-Day 2
Yesterday was the first in a 31 day program of using walking to lose weight.
Walking to lose weight is a daily exercise designed to do what comes naturally. Our bodies respond well to activity but need to adjust to working with unused muscles so avoiding pain or strain; and then to increase that same activity to lose weight! So it’s a balancing act but one which develops quickly to success.
You’ve recorded your initial walking time (see 31 Ways to Lose Weight Walking) with some details as to the pace you used, the terrain and weather. If you have a pedometer or some other way of measurement, record this information as well.
If you were able to do the full 20-30 minutes, congratulations! You now need to consider today’s walking. Are you feeling normal or have you found that the walking has made you sore or tired?
For those who found it easy, move up your time another 10 minutes today. If you did 20 than do 30 minutes; if 30 do 40 minutes. If you want to limit any one walk time to 20 minutes then 1) consider breaking up the time into smaller, even several, 10 minute walks; 2) choose a hilly path or walk quicker. Brisk walking is better for fat burning although the distance covered is most important for weight loss which is why the ’10,000 steps’ concept is popular.
If you did your 20 minutes but felt it is an effort to do it again today, don’t worry you’re right on track. Do another 20 minute walk today,as soon as you can. Try and improve on some aspect today: Walk a friendlier route; Buy better shoes to walk in if this will leave you feeling better the next day; Drive somewhere to walk and talk (you should be able to talk but just); Get a mp3 player-music enhances both the experience and it’s effectiveness. You get the idea. Simultaneously with walking you are making an improvement in your enjoyment level.
If you did less than 5 minutes think about this. Where you go from here is depending upon your reasons for this result. Those who’ve lost interest already won’t be reading this. So here you are, and you’re still interested. If the reason is physical then you’re right to go on. This is working for you. Add 1 minute to your walking time today. You’re doing well.
If you’ve found an excuse not to walk then decide if you have the desire to get over the excuses. That is your goal today. Catching up on the walking is easy. Acknowledge the 2 biggest excuses and find a way around them. Suggestions which may help can be found on this walking to lose weight lens.
Let’s say one excuse is lack of time. You can break walking up into smaller or more intense chunks. Combine walking with other tasks. Talk with someone on the phone or in person while walking. If you are going this way consider a pedometer to keep track of your actual activity time for you. Guessing particularly as a newbie is not a good idea. See my previous article on Walking with a Pedometer.
