EXERCISE OPTIONS TO STAY SLIM: WALKING

The right kind of walking will give you top aerobic benefits. Don't think that because it looks easier than running it's not terrific exercise - it is! Just think about it: With every step you're lifting your body weight. Walking will firm up and define the gluteal muscles in your buttocks, the muscles in your calves, your quadriceps (front thigh muscles), and, to a lesser degree, your hamstrings. The best thing about walking, of course, is that everybody can do it. And except for a good pair of shoes and socks, walking requires no special equipment.

When you start, do so at a comfortable pace, then increase your speed and time gradually as your endurance builds up. Remember, a casual stroll - while it's a little better than no exercise at all - will not help you achieve your training heart rate or provide you with optimal aerobic benefits. But once you're moving along at the rate that's right for you, you will improve both your health and your chances of successful weight loss. Walking is a safe, easy, and enjoyable way to keep fit. It's such a natural that you'll want to make it a mainstay of your exercise regimen.

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