How To Lose Weight By Walking

How to lose weight by walking

It wasn't until two years ago that I started taking my walks more seriously as there was a lot to lose. When I first started running, I felt terribly conscious on the road. My morning accompaniment used to be Gayatri Mantra or Ganpati/Durga Chaalisa (you can imagine my walking speed) 😛

When I think back to those days today and compare them to my current walking speed, I realize that it wasn't walking, it was strolling. In these two years I have gone from walking on the slow beat of bhajans to the fastest possible beat of Bollywood numbers.

Those were the days when I generally ran behind the trees and bushes so other morning walkers couldn't see me as I huffed and gasped for air while trying to jog a bit between my "crawls." I have a lot of stamina and didn't know how to increase it.

I was constantly looking for exercise videos on YouTube, but couldn't do any of these high-intensity workouts. Then I found Leslie Sansone's "WAH" Walk at Home program.

On the first try I only wanted to walk 1 mile but found I could do a bit more so I completed a full 5 mile walk and that too non-stop. What a great accomplishment it was to finish a 5 mile run! I was hooked on their walking program and walked five miles every day and loved the intensity.

The best thing I liked about Leslie's WAH was that my obesity didn't come between my efforts to let her go. Yes, I was obese and had back problems, but the intensity of this program was just perfect for me. "WAH" helped me build endurance and lose weight without hurting my already sore joints. That was the time when I had joint pains and my knees hurt climbing stairs and this is where I did a 5 mile aerobic walk with Leslie Sansone.

I amazed myself when I became addicted to exercise. Every time I went for a long walk, I wanted to do more; That's the magic of Leslie's "WAH", it doesn't tire you out, it rejuvenates and energizes you.

Another thing that improved my stamina was running to Bollywood music. I had created a playlist of about 50 songs with every other song speeding up and funnily enough most of the songs were Bollywood latka jhatka numbers especially item numbers. My list had everyone from Munni, Sheela, Kajrare to Balam Pichkari. Oh! What fun it was to keep up with the beat.

I love power walking to the beat, even on the go. (Waiting for a detailed playlist of the best Bollywood walk songs) 🙂 Initially, people stared at my moving arms and pace, some smiled too, but then they got used to seeing me walk the streets like this on a daily basis. At first I found those looks and whispered smiles uncomfortable, but then I remembered that people on the street are always laughing and staring. They do it when they see me eating ice cream, so don't do it, move on quickly.

I never cared about anyone and the force ran happily. There came a time when the regular walkers in the park would stop me to find out how many pounds I had lost. I had realized that sport was the time when I was happiest. Today I walk at a pace of 4-5 miles per hour and like to do intervals.

I love it when a normal walker in society would pass me and say, "Finally, Mom, I've managed to pass you. I had been trying to do that for almost half an hour.” I love that feeling and am proud of how far I've come from the day I was an NCC cadet at training camps on the days we had relays and trekking , always called in sick. Oh God! How much I hated running back then 😛

C2to5K was another program that helped me a lot. Although I never had the patience to do it the way it should have been done, you increase step by step. But I did it anyway with a promise to myself that I would never do it again as I felt terrible pain in my knees while doing this program. I liked using Chubby Jones C2 to 5K Podcast.

As I write about walking, I give my full credit to a good pedometer as that little thing in your pocket can be your best motivator ever. I bought it online and am delighted. Read the review here.

We need to walk at least 10,000 steps every day to lose weight. This little device has helped me count my steps, calories, distance and fat burned. I made sure I walked more than 10,000 steps every day. Today I average about 20000 steps a day 🙂 Once just to check how many steps I usually walk without moving I kept it in my bag all day and was shocked at the end of the day to find that I didn't had done. didn't even walk 2000 steps 🙁

A pedometer can easily motivate you to walk more and more. Today even my daughter has one and we love to hide ours from each other and then sneak in to find out who has taken how many steps more or less. (Thanks to that competitive spirit :P) It's fun to take a pedometer with you on your walks. It can actually transform your walking routine.

Remember, there is nothing you cannot do in life. Challenge yourself and be a daredevil, at least challenge yourself hard when it comes to your health. As I always say, life is good when you are happy inside and believe me, a healthy you will always be a happy you. So love life, live life and avoid that unwanted part of you to find happiness.