The big sell about walking to lose weight is that it takes off inches and gets your clothes to fit better! Walking in all its forms is fantastic life enhancing exercise for most people who are otherwise inactive. Walking for weight loss has other goals in addition to the wonderful benefits. These are some of the benefits which I have felt and am experiencing: my health and energy is maximized, my mood is generally good, and balances easily if I move away fom that, I am flexible and can do a bigger variety of activities, which otherwise I would have avoided (lifting heavy objects) or found someone else to do instead (play the Wii with the kids).
Having said that, the walking to lose weight beginner can get misled into believiing they are doing more than they are. Yes any activity improves your health and well being but for weight loss more is required.
Start anywhere, but be prepared to move quickly into a situation which benefits you the way you want. Others do not necessarily share your enthusiasm or goals and may even be reluctant walkers. This is not good for your long term success. Be aware that you may need to move on when a walking to lose weight partner is oblivious to doing more as you progress and build up your stamina and leg muscles.
One of the big drawbacks of weight loss programs designed around partners or carers, occurs if independence is not built in.
Find others with similar goals and use any tools, websites or group activities which enhance your own progress. Walking to lose weight with a ‘social’, reluctant or disabled walker, etc. can satisfy many other goals but probably weight loss will not be one of them. Seek others with similar goals to supplement your own enthusiasm if that should become necessary.
