lose weight walking

What's the best way to lose weight walking?

Walking is the quintessential human exercise. It's natural, wonderful exercise. It's a blessing to be able to walk.

Please think of both food and exercise like medicine: both require a proper dose, neither too much nor too little. Never make major changes in either without the prior blessing of your personal physician.

How much walking should you do to lose weight walking? That depends upon many variables such as your age, your health, your degree of cardiovascular fitness, and so on. If you have not been getting regular fitness exercise, start slowly. Learn to "listen" to your body; if you are having any difficulties, increase the time between walks.

Initially, walk only every other day. Let's assume that you are walking outdoors (rather than on a treadmill).

First, increase the duration of your walks until you are able to walk for 30 minutes. You could begin by walking for 2 minutes the first time, then 4 minutes the second time, and so on until you are able to walk nonstop for 30 minutes. Take whatever time you need to work up to 30 minutes; there's no race. Just walk a little bit longer each time you walk.

Second, increase your pace until you are able to cover 2 miles in just under 30 minutes. Just walk at a slightly brisker pace each time until you hit that milestone.

Once you are able to do that every other day, begin to do it daily for six days each week.

To lose weight walking, you must walk for at least 20 or 25 minutes before your body will begin to burn fat. For the first part of your walk, your body will burn carbohydrates. Therefore, it's the time after the first 20 or 25 minutes that is important for fat burning.

Once you are able to walk 2 miles in 30 minutes six days weekly, you may prefer to lengthen the duration of your walks so that you'll burn more fat. To do that, just add a minute or two to each walk until you are walking for 3 miles in just under 45 minutes. If you want even more benefit, add another minute or two to each walk until you are walking for 4 miles in just under 60 minutes. (In order to minimize the risk of injury, don't walk for more than 60 minutes at any one exercise session.)

An alternative tactic to lose weight walking is to walk twice daily six days weekly: walk once in the morning (preferably before your first meal) and again late in the afternoon or early evening. You could walk for 30 or 45 or even 60 minutes each time, which is what some bodybuilders do (in addition to strength training) to become leaner. Use whichever tactic is easier for you.

There are tips for how to lose weight walking on several different pages of my website (e.g., http://www.lasting-weight-loss.com/walking-for-weight-loss.html ). These tips concern shoes, clothing, stretching, nutrient timing, and so on.

If you really want to lose weight walking, it's critical to eat the right kinds of foods. In particular, it's very important to limit carbohydrate consumption. If you keep carb consumption to a maximum of 25 or 30 grams daily and regularly walk as suggested here, it's nearly certain that you will soon lose significant body fat.

When you do, you will feel better, look better, and be healthier. So please do yourself a favor: cut carbs and follow these guidelines to lose weight walking. You'll be really glad that you did.

If you would prefer some other kind of mild fitness exercise to walking, here's a page that will help you select an alternative: http://www.lasting-weight-loss.com/exercises.html .
Enjoy!