Get Your Walk On

Most people agree that exercise is good for you.  Yet 80% of adults over the age of 25 do not do it regularly.

Exercise can be as easy as getting up to change the channel on TV, instead of using the remote or using the stairs at work, instead of the elevator.  Just like our Bites, Licks, and Tastes can add up quickly, little by little, so do calories burned.

BENEFITS OF EXERCISING

Boosts Immune System & Helps prevent Major Health Problems

Walking eases stress, increases your circulation, & frees your mind for meditation & contemplation.  All of these factors give your immune system a natural boost, which helps your body fight many diseases from common colds to more serious health problems.  A study from the American Medical Association shows that moderate walking for 30 minutes per day lowers your risk for stroke, cancer, heart disease & type-2 diabetes, by as much as 40%!  It boosts your energy, as well as, lowering your blood pressure.

Increases Metabolism & Helps aid in Weight Loss

The more you walk as a part of your regular exercise, the more you will build up your muscle mass.  Which in turn increases metabolism, even at a rest & burns fat at a faster rate.  Another bonus to this, you won’t crave unhealthy foods as much & you will sleep better.

Improves Mood

In addition to physical health benefits, walking exercises the mind by increasing the body’s natural endorphins that improve your sense of happiness & well-being.  It’s a great way to disconnect with stressors & clear your head.

Get In to & Maintain Ketosis

Ketosis is a key factor in burning fat & boosting your metabolism.  Walking improves that ability to not just get your body into ketosis, but to maintain ketosis.  Just be sure not to overdo it.  If you over train your body, higher amounts of stress hormones will drive up your blood sugars & pull you out of ketosis.  Small amounts of high intensity training along with a regular low intensity exercise routine will take you a long way.  

On the NuYou programs it is important to keep your metabolism in fat burning mode as well as help you all develop a healthier lifestyle & habits.

Incorporating interval walking will aid in making the most of your walk by raising your heart rate, working more muscle groups and avoiding the dreaded fitness plateau.  But if you’re just getting started it is important to ease into it.  At first, maybe a nice leisurely walk for a while until you build up your stamina.

There are two ways in which you can increase the intensity of your walking:

• Increase the speed – This is simply walking at a faster pace during the high intensity intervals.
• Increase the resistance level – Find some hills to walk up or increase the incline on the treadmill during the high intensity intervals.

The length of each interval is entirely up to you. Base it on how you are feeling that day. Be sure to switch it up from time to time to keep your body guessing. You can count on the fat-melting effects no matter how long of an interval you do.

Just be sure to warm up and cool down.  Warming up at a slow pace will help prepare your joints, muscles and heart for exercise.  Cooling down will prepare your body to return to a resting state, help prevent muscle soreness and prevent illness & injury.  Also don’t forget to breathe.  Filling your lungs completely, allows you to burn more fat efficiently & improve your endurance.

Regardless of the exercise you chose to do, do it for pleasure.  The fat melting, calorie burning part is just an added bonus to the plethora of benefits of exercise.  Along the way remember to stay focused on your diet.  It is the most important factor for successful weight loss.