Walk into shape with Health & Fitness magazine

With some simple tweaks, you can ensure this natural exercise sculpts your entire body. Brisk walking (at a pace that leaves you breathless) increases your fitness, melts away body fat, burns calories and strengthens your bones, helping prevent osteoporosis. Walking tones and strengthens the same muscles as running, but is kinder to your joints. Even better, recent research shows that brisk walking is one of the best ways to burn fat around your belly. Mix in a few arm and ab exercises while you’re walking, and you’ll sculpt, tone and burn fat all in one!

Schedule in a power walk four to five times a week and you’ll soon reap the benefits. For maximum results and motivation, include a variety of walks. Here are a few ideas:

PUSHED-FOR-TIME WALK: Simply head out the front door and walk as far as you can for 10 minutes, then head back and see if you can get home in less time. Each week, you’ll find you can walk further in the 10 minutes.

LUNCHTIME REJUVENATOR: Grab the girls in your office and head out for a 25-minute walk. That still leaves you 35 minutes to freshen up and have your lunch and latte!

PEDOMETER WALK: Using a pedometer to measure how many steps you’ve walked is a great way to motivate yourself and track your progress. Setting a daily goal means you’re constantly encouraging yourself to take a few extra steps and burn extra calories! Aim to walk a minimum 10,000 steps a day for basic health benefits.
 
For more expert advice and inspiration, pick up a copy of the March issue of Health & Fitness magazine, on sale now! Visit Health & Fitness at stand F316 at the Vitality Show for tailored fitness tips from Lucy Wyndham-Read and the team.