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Maybe you got a fitness tracker for the holidays and are feeling inspired to log a few extra miles a week. Or maybe you enjoy walking as a form of regular exercise, but are curious as to how you can slim down doing it. Whatever your reason, it’s easier than you think to torch serious calories by simply moving your right foot in front of your left.
So here’s how you take your walking routine to the next level: “Set mini goals for yourself during your walk. For example, if you’re taking your workout outdoors, try pacing as quickly as you can to the next stop sign. If you’re on a treadmill, do the same by setting a time goal that you can look forward to achieving,” advises Christine DiBugnara, National Director of Group Fitness and Programming, UFC GYM. “Not only will this feel great to achieve, but it will make your workout go by much quicker.”
If you’re walking with a friend or loved one, test each other to fun mini challenges along the way like walking as quickly as you can to your favorite workout tune while the other does walking lunges and then switching roles. As you set and break your mini goals, you’ll likely begin to burn more calories with every workout and build your endurance, too.
To steal a line from Hippocrates, “walking is man’s best medicine.” See, even the 5th century BC Greek physician knew it sure ain’t running.