Walking for Fat Loss

We've said it before and we'll say it again, "Walking is an excellent form of active movement." Why are we always promoting walking as your main form of movement? Well, walking improves your mental and physical health, and hey, we all need some calm energy in our lives.

But really, walking is more than just exercise. And it's more than just a mental pick-me-up. Walking is perfect for losing weight, maintaining weight, and building strong legs (and core!). You've probably read our nutritionist's post post on maintaining a healthy pregnancy and learned that she did nothing but walk throughout her pregnancy...and hey her four-pack showed after just weeks of giving birth.  

Even if you aren't looking for your abs, walking will help you shed unwanted, unhealthy stores of adipose tissue. But you are going to have to do more than just walk around Target. Walking for fitness combines periods of moderate lingering with a "I'm gonna pee my pants" pace. Seriously. You need to walk as if you are going to soak your pants if you don't find a bathroom. Never had to pee that badly before? Then pretend that Ben & Jerry's is giving away calorie-free ice cream, but there's only 10 pints left.

Here is smart way to incorporate this style of walking into your day:

• Start with a 10 minute warm-up walk at your normal pace. 
• Pick up the pace to the I'm-gonna-pee-my-pants pace.
• Continue to walk at that pace for 30-50 minutes or more.
• End with 10 minutes at your normal pace.

​Consider doing every day in the morning on your way to work, if you can walk. Otherwise, make it an after-dinner affair.