Three Ways to Add Variety to Your Walking Workout

by Susan Patterson
Walking is hands down the most popular form of exercise around. It’s easy to start and doesn’t require anything but a good pair of shoes. Many people who are too embarrassed to try other forms of exercise enjoy a nice walk. The great thing about walking is that when done properly it burns a higher percentage of fat than other activities. But if you’ve hit a plateau or become bored with your routine, there are things you can to add more variety and burn more calories during your workout.

If you’ve been walking for awhile, you may want to try adding a little weight to your walk. Though it may seem very 80s and not as popular as before, you can easily buy an inexpensive pair of ankle weights and/or compact hand weights. The added weight will create more resistance during your walk to burn more. Just make sure you start off very light, especially around the ankles. Injuries will keep you from walking longer than planned, and could throw a wrench in your weight loss.

Change up your routine by adding other exercises in between. After walking for 15 minutes you could stop and stretch for 5 along a wall. Throw in some jumping jacks or push-ups to keep your blood moving. Even better, carry a jump rope with you and hop for one minute before going back to your walk. One minute may not seem like a lot, but jumping rope is a high-intensity activity that is great for your heart. Once you get better you can start doing different tricks like crossing your arms and hopping on one foot.

Change your landscape. Adding hills to your workout will burn more calories than flat terrain. Also, if you normally walk on pavement, try a different surface. If you are close to a beach or other sandy area, opt for that as you will burn 50% more calories here. This could lead to quick weight loss, especially if you’ve hit a plateau and can’t seem to lose any more weight.
If you can’t seem to lose weight, you may not be walking long enough. Also pay attention to your diet. Exercise helps, but only when combined with a sensible diet are you going to see the results you want. Make sure to drink plenty of water and eat lots of fresh foods. If hunger or cravings are a problem, you may want to add a hoodia supplement. This natural appetite suppressant is effective in curbing appetite without side effects. Take it to help you through those problem spots when you eat out of habit instead of hunger.