Walking To Lose Weight

Walking to Lose Weight Walks Away Cares

When walking to lose weight causes pain it is understandable that some are reluctant to do it. But it is not the end of the story. There are various options which can be incorporated into your daily routines which have long term benefits for becoming active again. One aspect which is fundamentally important of course is overweight. Walking isn’t called weight bearing exercise for nothing- you are exerting up to 4 times your full body weight as pressure on to your hip joint during the process.

Walking to lose weight is possible with arthritic hip problems. In addition to the weight loss, bone density and strength improve with weight bearing exercise. This generally increases mobility and movement; and decreases pain. But…if after walking for a longer period the hip or joint is swollen or painful then you may need to improve the movement and flexibility of the hip joint first. Using hydrotherapy processes (special exercises in warm water) improvement in joint flexibility will assist in walking.

Walking for weight loss as well as appropriate calorie counting will result in weight reduction. Even if you can’t walk some forms of exercise are still possible. If you have restricted movement in the lower body it may still be possible to use the upper body for exercise. The object would be to burn calories and build muscles while doing weights or other arm workouts.

Walking on outdoor surfaces which are uneven, have obstacles requiring lateral avoidance movements, or with height differences etc. can test the hip joints (and other parts) beyond their current ability. An obvious option would be to walk on a treadmill or dedicated, smooth-surfaced walking path. Get direction from fitness experts as to a treadmill which best suits your circumstances. Qualified gym trainers are experienced in the needs for various conditions, don’t think their work is limited to the body beautiful.

Accepting your condition is a good thing but only to determine a starting point. Unfortunately when a quick solution isn’t obvious many people call it quits. Recommended frequently in this blog and as with most things in life sometimes what you want to do requires a little setting up. If you can’t start from other people’s Day 1, what you may need is a preseason or preparation. And if you can’t do this yourself than you can pay other people to be enthusiastic and motivating, do the thinking and planning, everything except doing the walking or exercises for you.

Walking to Lose Weight’ General Advice for Starting Out (for those with hip or arthritic problems):

1. Slowly increase walking allowing your body to adjust to the additional and sustained movement. The hip joints are under much more stress when the gait is fast so gradually increase from a normal to a brisk pace.

2. Ensure the surfaces you walk on are suitable. Indoor or smooth path walking only.

3. Have appropriate footwear-for instance, not too heavy if you have strength issues.

4. Gentle indoor exercise may be a good beginning- use the Getting Started section on the Leslie Sansone guided walking dvd, but remember as with any of these programs, even with a personal instructor, if anything causes pain or discomfort, stop and if possible start again but modify the program to suit you. Start by slowly easing yourself into the program and without adding any of the extras such as weights, gradually increase the walking until you can do up to the total 18 minutes.

5. Stretch the hip joint prior to walking and after. Use this simple version of the hip flexor or a standing hip flexor stretch.

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