Weight Loss Exercise - Pick up the Pace

Posted 11 February 2009

If you want effective weight loss exercise, you need to step things up.

Walking is a good all-round exercise for our health. And it can be highly effective for those seeking a weight loss exercise. The success of walking for weight loss is thanks to the exercise being free, accessible and enjoyable - walking is also highly practical, allowing more of us to maintain our fitness goals without losing motivation. But you need to do more than a 20-minute daily stroll if you want to use walking as a weight loss exercise - you'll need to put a bit more of a push into your stride to achieve weight loss goals.

Weight Loss Exercise - Striding Ahead

There are many health benefits to a brisk walk, helping you sleep better and lose weight, but if you really want to boost your fitness, you'll need to ensure your walking has oomph. Power walking for example is a weight loss exercise demanding you give that little bit more when you pound the pavement. Walking is a great weight loss exercise, not just because of its general overall health benefits but because it's an easy-to-do activity. And aside from good trainers or walking shoes, the only other accessory you need is a pedometer to ensure you are reaching your targets; pedometers have been proven to boost an individual's exercise output.

Wear a Pedometer for Weight Loss Exercise

Studies have shown that by wearing a pedometer, if you are looking to build weight loss exercise into your routine, boosts your walking output. A study by Dr Dena Bravata at Stanford University found simply by wearing a pedometer, walkers were inspired to increase their activity to an additional 2,000 steps a day (one mile). If you want to boost your fitness however as well as use walking as a weight loss exercise, it's recommended that you incorporate resistance training and high intensity activities into your walking regime. Muscle burns more calories, so it makes sense to build more muscle.

Power Walking: Weight loss Exercise that Puts a Spring in your Step

Walking is hugely beneficial as a weight loss exercise, but you need to be conscious not just of the number of steps you take, but the pace you keep and effort you put in. According to the American College of Sports Medicine, although incorporating 10,000 steps into your day will improve your health and well being, it won't be a substantial weight loss exercise unless it's performed well - incorporating short, fast bursts into your walking for example will help you get fitter and achieve your weight loss goals. Walking 10,000 steps a day will help you maintain weight loss, but like any exercise to be progressive and improve fitness, you need to keep moving the goal posts. And as leading health and nutrition experts agree, walking is second to none when it comes to keeping disease at bay and giving you a psychological boost: studies have shown walking is comparable to a course of Prozac.

Weight Loss Exercise Tips? Fitbug can Help

Using the Fitbug pedometer you can get the right structure and motivation to keep you on the straight and narrow. You can choose a walking programme to suit your level and fit your schedule. If you are the sort of person who likes concrete evidence of how they are getting on, print out your programme, stick it on your fridge and cross off each power walk as you complete it. Find out more, call: 0870 228 4949.