Tips to Start (or Improve) Your Walking Plan

Spring time and beautiful weather is just around the corner.  You may have decided to walk daily to improve your health, but where do you start?  Here are some tips for getting the most of walking.

• Stand up straight, swing your arms naturally, and let your hips move when you’re out for a walk. Walk in a way that’s natural and comfortable for you so you will not get tired too soon.  Make sure your shoes fit properly and provided adequate support and protection.
• Stick out your chest when walking for exercise. It looks better and you breathe easier. If walking at your regular pace seems to be less challenging, try race walking.  Race walking posture is head up, chest up, and a slight forward lean from the ankles. While walking fast, do not lean forward at the waist or thrust your head forward.
• Get a move on and pump, pump, pump it up! If you want to walk faster, pump your arms faster. Your arms and legs move in sync when walking for exercise. Keep your arms bent at the elbow to shorten the lever and make it easier to speed up your fitness walking.  Moving your arms will help increase your heart race and burn more calories.
• Avoid ankle weights when walking for exercise. Wrist or hand weights are not as likely to cause injury as ankle weights, but can still stress your joints. If you want to burn more calories during walking exercise, walk farther or faster. If you want to get stronger, lift weights.