Want to start walking for weight loss but not sure how to stay motivated? Check out these tips and tricks!
If you have decided to walk more to keep unwanted weight off your waistline, you are certainly on the right path. Though it might seem like a simple activity, walking is a powerful aerobic exercise that can help you strengthen your muscles, improve your blood pressure, and keep at bay chronic conditions such as pain and obesity.
Nonetheless, staying motivated and achieving your weight loss goals might not always be easy. If you are struggling to keep up with your daily step goal, or you seem to always find excuses to not walk, this guide can help you. Let’s get started.
First Things First: Is Walking an Efficient Way To Lose Weight?
One of the main motivation-boosting factors about walking every day is that yes, it can truly help you lose weight. Simply adding 30 minutes of brisk walking to your daily schedule can help you burn 150 extra calories a day – which can be nearly doubled if you increase your pace or distance walked!
But while walking can help, don’t forget that adding more exercise to your routine is only one piece of the puzzle! Indeed, if you are looking to boost your fitness levels and lose weight, you should also make a nutrition plan and make positive lifestyle changes.
If you are ready to fully commit to your new routine, it’s time to find out how to keep your spirits up while waiting for the first results to start showing!
Walking for health: 10 Tips To Make It Easier To Achieve Your Weight Loss Goals
Find a Buddy Who Can Help Keep You Accountable
A great way to keep motivated while pursuing your weight loss goals is to find a buddy or a group to exercise with. Doing so can help you keep accountable and start building regular walking sessions into your daily routine.
This is even more important for stay-at-home mums looking to lose weight or home office workers leading a sedentary life.
Choose the Right Location for Your Daily Walks
Daily walks can be an excellent way to explore your neighborhood’s surroundings or spend some time in nature. To keep yourself motivated, look for a map of all the walking and hiking paths in your area, and opt to switch between them often. This can keep you entertained and motivated while you make walking part of your lifestyle.
Pro tip – if you prefer a more relaxing experience rather than a stimulating one, consider choosing a local park that you know well, is safe, and offers an accessible walking route.
Protect Your Skin From UV Rays
When spending prolonged periods outdoors, it is especially important to wear a blackout running hat. This can help you safeguard your skin from sun damage and avoid sunburns can set back your progress. If you are unsure what hat to wear, opt for lightweight, breathable materials that keep your scalp comfortable and aerated.
Wear Comfortable Clothing
Wearing comfortable clothing is just as important! If you have chosen a local park as the location for your daily walks, you might have the urge of wearing stylish clothes and athleisure outfits. But don’t forget that, to stay motivated, it is important to enjoy your walks!
And, to make the most of your exercising time, you’ll need comfortable clothes that allow you to move freely, feel confident, and regulate your body temperature.
Have a Playlist Ready To Go
If you love listening to music, having a playlist ready to go can be an added motivator to get you out of the house and exercising. Nonetheless, if you are looking for a moment of relaxation from the hustle and bustle of daily life, you should consider looking into the benefits of making your daily walks an “unplugged” moment.
Switch to Podcasts or Audiobooks
A valid alternative to listening to music is to listen to podcasts and audiobooks. Finding the best genre for your preferences is a great way to engage with a storyline, which can make it easier to make walking a daily appointment.
After all, who wouldn’t want to know what the next chapter of that best-selling thriller will bring on?!
Use This Time To Call Your Loved Ones
Walking is one of the best – and underrated – hacks for weight loss. However, fitting 30 minutes or more of walking into an already busy schedule can truly seem impossible! If you are finding yourself in this situation, consider using your daily walks as an opportunity to keep up with other tasks, such as calling your loved ones or having a catch-up with your best friend!
Tray Walking Meditation and Breathing Exercises
Although mindfulness meditation is commonly practiced sitting, don’t underestimate the beneficial effects of walking meditation. This discipline allows you to reconnect with your body without distractions and make your walk more mindful.
Set a Step Count Goal for Each Session
Although this varies from one person to another, you should strive to walk at least 10,000 steps a day, while also increasing your step count by 1,000 every few weeks. But, no matter what your baseline is at the moment, getting out of the house and just taking a few steps can already be beneficial!
Make Walking More Part of Your Routine
Even if you simply don’t have time to walk for 30 minutes or more each day, there is a lot that you can do to make walking part of your routine. For example, you can walk 2000 more steps a day just by standing up from your desk during breaks or from your sofa during TV commercials. Other great activities to walk more include participating in charity walks or historical walking tours!
In Conclusion
Walking for weight loss is an effective and enjoyable way to reach your fitness goals. With a few simple tips and tricks, you’ll be able to make the most of your daily walks by staying motivated and engaged. From setting step-count goals to listening to audiobooks or podcasts, it is possible to make each session unique and fun! As long as you stay consistent with your efforts, the results will eventually follow. So don’t wait any longer – start walking today!
