Walk this way to weight loss (Part 2)
February 4, 2017 Ashley 0 Comments
Still working on getting in those weekly 10,000 steps to lose a pound each week?
…but weary of your boring, monotonous walking workout?
“Why are you guys so much thinner than I am? Can we stop yet?”
“Um… ’cause we don’t ask that question every five minutes, Sarah.”
No worries.
After trying the first few ways to fun-ify your ambulatory fat blastery, try these final three:
4. Do a Forest Trail Loop
I love running trails. But when I’m too injured for impact workouts, walking them isn’t a horrible consolation trophy. I rather enjoy it, actually. It’s a multi-sensory experience. From the fresh oxygen the trees impart and serene sounds coming from the trees – to the scent of the earth mixed with foliage and a light blissful breeze kissing your skin… I would recommend it to anyone. Choose a loop that you know will be the equivalent (maybe about 5 miles) of what you need to walk. Why a loop? Because that way there’s always something new to view right up until the finish line – which means you’re never getting the same scenery twice until the very end. And having that kind of constant novel stimuli can serve as motivation to keep going. (Bonus being that you can’t get lost, either.)
(“Maybe if we put our hair up, move quicker, and discuss “The Bachelor” a bit less, we can burn off those mocha-ccinos, lol”)
5. Furry motivation – adopt a dog
First, off: adopt don’t shop. Second, off: make sure that you can actually afford to care for the poor creature; he’s already been through enough without you giving him up in a couple days. And third… enjoy your new best friend. Let him motivate you. Because there’s nada more fun than being out in the fresh air with a buddy who loves it even more than you do. Believe it or not, watching the happy reaction and content energy of another being can catch on until you feel the same way – and really start to enjoy the walk you’d been putting off. (Plus, it doesn’t hurt to have someone pulling you along a little once you start to tire out.)
6. Ambulatory buddy
No puppy funds in the bank? Well, why not recruit an activity acquaintance instead? Having someone toddle along with you – whether it’s to chat or silently sweat together in solidarity – can really help motivate you to A.) start, and B.) keep going when you’d usually wanna quit. It always pays to have a comrade in calorie blasting on your way to weight loss.
7. Inconvenience yourself
Now, this final one might sound silly, but it’s true. Whereas the rest’ve these tips are more motivating and stimulating, this one is more of a habit hack. And, while that might mean less money spent, it does mean relinquishing your usual routine. (Which, is actually often tougher to do.) Example? Well, you could take the stairs to your third level office. You could walk the trash and recycling across the apartment complex (instead’ve lazily driving, like I do). Or… you could just voluntarily park farther away from the entrance of Whole Foods (instead’ve cursing the crunchy mom who just stole your parking place so loudly that she can hear you through the window). Whenever you combine those, you’re crushing the couple hundred final steps that’ll land you your striding prize of 10,000 steps for the day.
(I’m a salty waterfall donning Armani by the time I reach the meeting, but whatevs… #stepgoals)
The good thing? If you do any combo of these things to make walk time easier – not only will you get in your steps, but you won’t wanna be taking them in the direction of fast food. Why? Because, when it’s fun (versus some pedometer penance), you don’t feel a need for culinary compensation. In fact, a coworker of mine’s recently taken up this task – making a game of getting in her steps, and you know what’s happened? She’s naturally just begun guzzling more water, eschewing foods that don’t serve her body as good walking fuel, and munching on the stuff that does instead. So, don’t let your steps signify a Baskin Robbins reward that robs you of your hard won caloric deficit. Try these fun, fulfilling, fitness walk-tivities that’re rewarding themselves – to walk your way toward a slender, more content you.