Today many people are ready to do anything to become slim and slender by losing weight, some in excess of thirty-five pounds. They try very expensive medications and facilities, visit reputable dietitians, even undertake surgery. They are ready to exhaust their bodies by various extreme diets, but it doesn’t usually work. Many people don’t understand the main thing: Nothing can be accomplished without movement. It’s a proven truth that movement is life. We know that our ancestors were much healthier and stronger, due to physical activity, and we’re guarded now from every movement in the course of our developed civilization, for we now have an almost completely sedentary way of life. We have a lot of facilities at home guarding our forces and efforts. We don’t need to even climb stairs, because we have elevators to escort us. So, we give fewer places at which our bodies can direct energy and calories. As a result, our bodies accumulate these excess calories, and we develop problems like obesity.
I won’t offer you any medical reports or dietary products that are so widely advertised everywhere. I just want to advise you to change your health and appearance in a very simple way, and without any extreme efforts. I’m thoroughly convinced that you can burn all your excessive calories and lose your hateful thirty-five pounds by just walking. You don’t need any special facilities, gym visits, or expensive medications. All you need is your time and strong will. I ensure you that you’ll see results, even without a strict diet.
Walking is very good, not only for losing weight, but for your body as a whole. Walking has been proven to activate the protective forces of your body against various infections, to lower your blood pressure, reduce the risk of heart disease, and even to prevent breast cancer.
You need to walk for about an hour, in order to stimulate your vital systems. If this is too much or too difficult for you, divide the hour into two or three segments. You may walk for thirty minutes in the morning and thirty minutes in the evening. I recommend refraining from the bus ride and walking the entire distance, if it’s within reason.
It’s much better to climb stairs and refuse the elevator; this will strengthen your muscles. You may start climbing initially to the second floor, increasing the distance gradually.
Don’t fear the thought of walking an hour a day. It’s not so difficult; you just need to get into the habit of it.
If you drive your work place, leave home earlier and walk a few minutes from the far end of the parking lot. If you use public conveyances, try to walk part of the distance on foot and limit your usage of transport.
During the work day, surely you take a lunch break. Don’t sit in your office; exit the building and even walk around it, if there is no place to walk near your work area. Try to walk in the fresh air for about thirty minutes.
Try to move around as much as possible during your coffee break. You have all ten minutes to yourself. Walk somewhere, perhaps even upstairs or downstairs, relaxing from your computer. When you drive home, you could park your car some distance from home and walk the final stretch. If it is safe, choose a longer way, using another street to get close to your house or near some buildings or shops on your way.
If you do this, would it occur to you that routine might involve more than an hour of walking? Do you agree now that often very easy and convenient? For the most part it’s life as usual, with you making a few changes in your lifestyle, adding some new elements. As a result, your body will burn excess calories and fat. It’s a unique way to lose weight, without medical journals, without dieting, without doctors, without any surgery.

Some tips for beginners:

Don’t be disappointed if walking brings you some difficulty and fatigue. It’s just the first feeling. You’ll realize a little later what a great joy it is to walk in fresh air. Even if you manage to walk for only thirty minutes this day, it’s not a problem; you’ll increase it later.

While walking, try to think of something other than the time it takes or of forthcoming miles. Instead, thinking of something pleasant. You can use it to make some plans for the following weekend or to reminisce pleasant moments of your summer leave. You must, however, remember a common truth: When something to be done is forced, it will never bring success.

Once you master an ordinary walk, complicate your task by using weights. But they are obligatory, and must weigh less than ten percent of your body weight.

Don’t delay your walking procedures for long; start today. You’ll be convinced by the results you see in yourself.

I wish you good luck. And I strongly believe you will succeed at losing not only thirty-five pounds, but even more.

Jenny Swindson, psychologist

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Please Note: The information presented throughout Lose100Pounds.org is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Please see your physician before starting any diet and/or exercise program.