Did you know that a mere 5 to 10 percent weight reduction can result to life saving benefits? Yes it can, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Blood pressure, cholesterol and sugar levels are significantly reduced when overweight people start a healthy weight loss program. Weight loss also brings substantial enhancement to general well-being, most notable of which are better mobility, higher energy and mood levels, and increased self confidence.

An easy and convenient way to start losing weight is walking. Getting into a regular walking routine improves circulation and increases metabolism to help you burn more calories; it also tones up your muscles and fortifies the bones and joints. What’s nice about walking is that it can also be a social activity and requires no special training. Simply join a group of walking buddies and you’re on your way to better health.

Here are some important tips to enjoy your walking routine:

1. INVEST IN GOOD FOOTWEAR. You will be using it regularly so it pays to get a good, durable brand of walking shoes. People at a sports store can assist you in selecting the appropriate pair for you. Walking shoes are good up to 300 miles of use, so just like automobile tires, replace them when they wear out.

2. DO SOME STRETCHING BEFORE AND AFTER WALKING. Never forget to prime up those muscles first before you walk so they don’t cramp up in the middle of your routine.

3. PUT A PRIORITY ON SAFETY. When you walk, be sure to choose a safe course. The park or a sports complex are the best options. In case there aren’t any nearby, walk facing oncoming traffic if you have to use the streets. Just make sure the area is well lighted, and always have a companion when you can.

4. DON’T LET THE WEATHER GET IN THE WAY. If it’s just the cold weather that’s keeping you from stepping out, just bundle up with more layers and carry on with your walking routine. You will definitely feel better for the exercise during the colder months.

5. WALK AT LEAST 3 TIMES PER WEEK. Consistency is key to effective workouts, so get out and walk every other day. Then go walking everyday when you’ve built up your resistance. It’s not dangerous to do it daily since walking is low-impact.

6. WEAR COMFORTABLE CLOTHES. Avoid cotton and fabric that sticks to the body when you sweat. Choose the more absorbent ones that keep you cool as you sweat or prevent moisture from cooling you down during the colder months.

7. SET ACHIEVABLE GOALS. When you get into a new fitness regimen, you can motivate yourself better and enhance your performance by setting realistic goals. You can target to reach a certain weight, mileage or duration, and when you achieve this, treat yourself to a reward. It really does help to make it fun and more worthwhile.

8. USE THE 10% RULE WHEN INCREASING DURATION. Over time, You may want to walk even longer than when you started. To be safe, add no more than 10% of walk time to your routine at a time.

9. UPGRADE TO HILLS AND OTHER CHALLENGES. When you’ve built up on resistance and strength, try some uphill routes to burn more calories. They’re also quite effective in strength training and muscle toning.

10. TUNE UP YOUR BODY. Achieve maximum workout results by giving your body a detox twice a year. Cleanse your system of harmful toxins so you get rid of the sluggish feeling and improve your resistance to illness. Detoxing also eliminates food cravings and provides better body functionality. The Clean 9 Program is a convenient 9-day detox regimen that cleanses and regulates internal body processes so it can function at its best. Just as cars need regular servicing and computers need scheduled disk cleanups, it is also important to do maintenance work on your body so it is always at its finest.

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