Walking for Weight Loss – How to Start Walking

 I started writing about walking as a great form of exercise that you can incorporate in your weight loss program. For those of you who have decided to start walking, i would like to congratulate you for making the first step to a very rewarding and fulfilling activity towards achieving your goal of losing weight. It could be boring at first but as you go along and watch your progress you will never regret having started this enjoyable and rewarding walking program.

Before embarking on your walking program for weight loss, I suggest that you first consult with your physician. You need to see him for a check-up especially if you have not been physically active for a year or so, if you are 65 years or over and have not been exercising, if you have a history of heart disease, if you have high blood pressure or hypertensive, if you feel weak and experience dizzy spells, if you are diabetic, if you are pregnant, and if you experience chest pains when doing an activity.

The next thing that you should prepare for is your walking outfit which should be comfortable enough when you walk for weight loss. If the weather is cold, you need to have 2 or more layers of clothing that you can remove as the weather gets warm while you are walking and can wear it back when it gets cold again.

If you’re one person who sweats a lot while walking, you can invest in a polypropylene shirt to keep the sweat away from your body.
However, if you do not sweat a lot while walking, you may wear a light jacket, a light sweatshirt or a simple t-shirt is fine. You may also wear a polar fleece or wool in cooler climates. You should use wear socks made of special fibers which can prevent blisters by keeping your feet dry.

Other essentials for your walking for weight loss program is a hat, a pair of sunglasses, and a sunscreen. Other important things you can carry in your pocket are your car keys and a light purse. You can also carry water that you can put in your hip pack if you intend to walk for more than an hour and there is no water along the way.

Lastly, you need to have a good pair of walking shoes that fit you well. They should be one size or one half size bigger than your formal shoes to give room for your feet to expand while walking. They should also be flexible to allow your feet to roll, bend and twist as you walk.