Walk vs Run

The greatest thing about walking, you can do it everyday. I walk six days and week but truthfully every once in a while, I miss a day but I’m only human and so are you – go a little easy on yourself. Take the time to build up a walking routine slowly over a year and then it’s much easier to keep it going for life.

The thing that keeps me going is not wanting to gain the weight back again and my music. I love to get the iPod and set on my favorite playlist and out the door I zoom, walking off the days stress and letting my mind work on some creative work the marketing and advertising agency I run.

Sorry got off track, here are three simple steps to walking and losing weight from Good Housekeeping.com in the article titled, “Lose Weight by Walking,” written By Julia A. Savacool.

Three simple workouts that will take off major pounds. Pick the one that’s perfect for you.

Easy? Check. Cost-free? Check. Gets real results…that really last? Check, check. Well, what more could you want from a slim-down plan — except that it be flexible enough to fit into your busy schedule? Okay, this one does that, too.

In fact, this plan is so easy and natural, it hardly feels like a weight-loss program. Of course, that’s the beauty of walking: The simple act of placing one foot in front of the other — no gadgets, no gear, no trips to the gym — can totally transform your figure, even if you don’t change one thing about your diet!

Walking can also transform your health. Experts now say that taking roughly 10,000 steps per day sets off a chain reaction of physical benefits, including lower blood pressure, reduced risk for heart disease and better odds for preventing breast cancer.

Does 10,000 steps sound overwhelming? A little perspective: It translates into 4.5 to 5 miles, or one hour of rapid walking. Still sound like a lot? Try breaking it into shorter bits: three 20-minute errands on foot, one breezy 30-minute walk before breakfast and another after dinner. Or simply commit to getting up once an hour, every hour throughout your day and moving for five minutes.

However you break down the steps, there’s only one fabulous result: a slimmer, more energetic you. In 60 minutes of walking, you’ll burn 300 to 500 additional calories. Keep that up for 10 days and you’ll lose a pound. Keep it up for a year and you’ll be 35 pounds lighter — without a minute of dieting.

Do you really have time for a walking workout? Absolutely — you just need to find a routine that fits into your already superfried schedule. Pick your profile from one of our three plans, and let us solve your when, where and how.

Click through for the rest of the article at Good Housekeeping.com

Now pick a plan that suits you and strap on those shoes, now walk out the door. I know it’s hard to start but you can do it. Find a friend or get the dog off the couch and take three walks a week to start only do short distances so you can keep the speed up and build that foundation.

I believe you can do it! I did. Set some goals and track them in a notebook, online or use NikePlus and your iPod to keep track of miles, calories, pace, time, steps taken and of course your goal. I set a monthly goal of a certain mileage to complete and Nike+ keeps track of everything for me when I sync my iPod after each walk.

Now get those tunes and get walking – watch the pounds drop off.

MikeZume_walking step by step to all my goals

PS – walking takes longer than say running but it’s easier to stick with and do more regularly with less soreness. Leading to weight that drops off more carefully and most of the time more permanent fashion.

Please consult your physician before starting any exercise or weight loss program.
Your physician is your very best resource.