Walk it Off! How regular walking amplifies fitness results.
Hooray! You have made the decision to begin the process of getting strong and healthy with the help of a Fitness Enhancement professional trainer. This is a key step to establishing a fitness plan that will literally change your life. Your trainer will help you set realistic and consistent goals, while keeping you motivated for the long term. Having an expert trainer involved in your quest to optimize your health is a smart move and in a matter of months results of your commitment and hard work will be evident.
What if you could maximize those results, really make a dramatic improvement in your overall health and state of mind, by the simple addition of taking a daily walk? By adding a 20 minute brisk walk to your fitness routine you can add the following additional health benefits:
• You will burn an addition 75-100 calories per day
• You will promote bone density by this weight bearing activity
• You can use the time to meditate or pray, practicing mindfulness
• You increase your cardio-vascular health by lowering levels of the bad (LDL) cholesterol and also control high blood pressure
• It reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by up to 60%
• It tones your legs, bum, and belly, and if you pump your arms it will tone them, too
• It boosts circulation and increases oxygen to your cells, causing you to feel more alert
• It releases the ‘feel-good’ endorphins into the bloodstream, which reduces anxiety and increases the sense of well-being
As in any other new activity, a daily walk must become a habit in order to fully realize the additional health benefits to your gym routine. One way to help morph this fitness activity into a new healthy habit is to utilize a FitBit. These handy little gadgets, that you can wear like a watch or clip on to a belt, help to motivate you by tracking how many steps you have taken and then computing how many calories you have burned on your walks.
If you have a family dog, he will become your very best friend if he is included in this daily walk. Not only will your health benefit from walking, but your beloved dog’s will as well! Once he is accustomed to that daily jaunt, he will persistently expect one every day. By using his doggie-manipulation techniques, your pup will help you to stay on track with your newfound walking strategy.
By preparing for the winter weather weather in advance, the temptation to stay warm and cosy inside can be overcome. Have your warm clothes and joggers ready to exercise and simply ignore that whining voice in your head that says, “It’s too cold out there.” Once you get moving and get that heart pumping, you will quickly warm up and be so proud of yourself for braving the elements in the name of fitness. It’s a great way to have a winter workout.
So, slap on your FitBit, grab your tunes, and get outside. Walk off that daily stress, increase your happy-factor, tone your bottom and GET FIT.