Walking can help you attain that trim figure you've been "dieting" to have. It allows you to burn off fat without losing muscle and without depriving your body of the essential nutrients it needs. And it can help tone your muscles and shape up your legs.

how to energize a walking routine
©2007 Photodisc
Walking with a friend is just one great way to energize a walking routine.

You may have heard similar claims made for other aerobic exercises. But consider this: The only exercise that will do you any good is the exercise you do. And walking is easy -- as easy as putting one foot in front of the other.

The articles below outline the health and fitness benefits of walking and provide you with the information you need to walk safely and efficiently. You'll learn how to prepare your body for a walking program and get tips on making healthy changes in your diet, checking out your health before you hit the road, and preparing for bad-weather and nighttime workouts. You'll even learn how you can use your heart rate as a guide to exercise intensity.

Follow these links and take the first step to a healthier lifestyle.

ADDITIONAL CREDITS:

Peggy Norwood Keating, MA, Contributing consultant
Rebecca Hughes, Contributing Writer

This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Neither the Editors of Consumer Guide (R), Publications International, Ltd., the author nor publisher take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading or following the information contained in this information. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader must seek the advice of their physician or other health care provider.