by : Beatrice Stephenson

Getting in shape by walking is really effective. It's doesn't require expensive equipment, almost anybody can do it, and results are guaranteed if you stick to your goals. But how to set up an effective walking program then? Well, the first thing you should consider is to be realistic. Take a minute and think about what you will be able to stick to. If you promise yourself to walk 75 minutes seven days a week ,you will probably fail and just be disappointed at yourself, and then give up. Start with a realistic program and progress from there, as you get in better shape. Let' say you want to start wit 30 minutes three times a week. That's much easier to keep up to and you will get fast results from that too. After a couple of weeks, or months, however you feel like, increase minutes and time a week, a little by little.

Be creative on how and when you should walk, if you are tired in the evenings and have a hard time getting out. Split those 30 minutes up during the day. Walk ten minutes at your lunch break. Get off the bus one stop earlier on your way home from work, there you have extra ten minutes. Walk the last ten minutes and take an extra walk around the block when you go out with the garbage in the evening. You don't have to walk it all in once to get good results. Split it up during the day.

Many people get a pedometer (a step counter) to get inspiration, and I can really recommend that. It's fun to be able to see how many steps you have taken in one day. And tomorrow you will be triggered to take some more steps than before. So I guess you should be out of excuses now for setting up a small walking program and get in fantastic shape. Out you go!