Walking is an effective weight loss tool that is free and easy to do! Walking has the ability to burn up to two hundred calories per hour depending on the terrain that is being walked and the speed that the person is walking. When it comes to exercise – the higher the weight of the person that is walking the more calories that are going to be burned throughout the exercising process. Vigorous walking exercises such as up-hill hiking can burn up to three hundred calories per hour!

Walking is a low-impact activity that can transition into a workout program in the future. Upon beginning a weight loss program, the person exercising should place their target walking time per day at sixty to ninety minutes. This may sound like a lot of exercise, but it is important to remember that this time can be broken into fifteen to twenty minute intervals throughout the day – before work, after work and even during the lunch break. At least sixty minutes of exercise, such as walking is recommended as thirty minutes per day can lead to a higher level of health but is not likely to lead to weight loss.

There are many ways to implement walking into the schedule. Walk while you are on your lunch break at work, or consider starting a walking club at work that can enable co-workers to get active on their lunch break. Especially for those employees that spend the most of their day sitting, this can be a great way to start an active lifestyle. Consider parking the car a little farther from your workplace and walking the extra mile – this can lead to an extra two miles per day and can take as little as thirty minutes.

Be sure to keep hydrated while walking and fill your body with healthy snacks, fruits and vegetables that can fuel the body and prepare it for the next workout.

Start your walking plan by using the following tips:

• Start the weight loss program with as little as thirty minutes of walking per day. When you can start with as little as thirty minutes, it can be easily stretched into sixty or ninety minutes. Consider walking for thirty minutes for two weeks and then upping the time as your stamina increases throughout the workout program.

• Consider using weights in the walking program. Weights can be adhered to the hands and feet with the use of wrist bands. These wrist bands can be obtained from the fitness store and can increase the calorie burning potential and muscle building potential by up to forty percent.

• Keep the pace up when walking. Consider bringing a pair of walking shoes to allow you to switch and walk further in the weight loss program. Comfortable shoes can also help you to pick up the pace when you are starting the walking program.

Taking the walking program one step at a time can lead to weight loss. Try to walk at least five days per week and use this as a way to transition into a healthy lifestyle filled with activities.