If You Don't Walk More Now, You'll Hate Yourself Later
[dropcap]W[/dropcap] e've all heard it before, you're going to have to "walk" those calories off. But it's much more then a way to burn calories. Walking is essential to life and the foundation of our mobility. But not like that's obvious.
10 years ago I knew a successful fitness trainer and amateur bodybuilder. He had ACL surgeries in both knees and running or high impact cardio was out of the question. Besides lifting weights, walking was his primary form of calorie burn. Crazy right?
I do not advocate walking as the only ingredient to your fitness regime. But being conscious of how many steps you take a day and your walking speed, will help you achieve greater results.
You need to start walking by getting off your tush and moving all day long. Even if you're at your desk 8+ hours, every 60 minutes get up and walk around for 5 minutes.
To help you with this, buy a fitness pedometer (affiliate link) and set your daily goal to 10,000 steps. This way you'll also benefit from the calories burned walking.
Here are 6 more reasons you should start walking more:
Walking is Simple
Anyone can walk that does not have limitations. It's one of the easiest things to do. Just get up and go. Focus on increasing you're walking speed to burn more calories and push towards your 10,000 step goal.
The only thing that makes walking difficult is the lack of motivation. Leave the excuses behind and get moving.
No learning Curve
Okay, so if you were just born you may argue with me on this one, but if you weren't, good luck proving your point.
There are no special techniques to master, no equipment and no need to go anywhere. It's just you and the ground.
Habit forming
Once you begin, it will start becoming a habit. Why? Because walking will make you feel good. It's also not difficult so you'll be more likely to get up and do it.
Start getting up from your desk every 60 minutes, a habit will be formed and the benefit of you disconnecting will be felt.
Walking firms you up
Believe it or not, walking firms you up. It requires us to use all major muscles. It will tone your stomach, hips, thighs and butt.
Now that should be encouragement enough, you can tone while at the office.
Natural antidepressant
Walking will help you feel and sleep better. By getting blood flowing to the right portions of your body, you will be more optimistic.
If your able to get outside, you'll reap the rewards of the mood enhancing vitamin D.
Extra calories burned walking
If those weren't reasons enough, the more you get up and walk throughout the day the more calories you'll burn. I'm not asking a lot, just 5 minutes for every 60.
This will help you burn extra calories but also keep blood flowing so you can be more productive and rational.
There's no excuses not to walk, even if you're in your office all day. By using a fitness pedometer to push you towards your goals you can reap the benefits such as calories burned walking, or the mental clarity it brings to your life.
Start now and don't let your desk get in the way of your fitness goals.