When it comes to cardiovascular workouts, running seems to get almost all of the credit. However, this is an unfair assessment of what it takes to lose weight. A cardiovascular activity is any form of exercise that gets your heart rate up and causes you to sweat, which stimulates weight loss. Walking is a great form of cardiovascular activity, especially when you start challenging yourself to walk farther distances and at a faster pace.

What’s the Problem with Walking?

Too many people make the mistake of thinking that working out has to be at the gym. The reality is that when it comes to adding more physical activity into your lifestyle, every little bit counts. A walking program is one of the best ways to get started with physical fitness.

Walking is a great workout option, especially for those who are just getting started with their physical activity program. The benefits are clear:

• You can walk just about anywhere, at anytime.
• You can easily accommodate your needs by walking inside on a personal treadmill, at a gym on a treadmill, or outside.
• You can add more steps to your day during your daily activities without having to worry about finding time to exercise.
• You don’t need any special equipment or skills, you can just start walking right away.

Walking is simple to get started with an incredibly convenient, which is why it is also one of the most successful methods to improving physical fitness. You already walk everyday as a means of getting from point A to point B. The goal with a walking program is to increase how much time you spend on your feet, even if only in small increments. Try walking more at the office, taking walking breaks at lunch, and going for a walk around your neighborhood after dinner.

Taking small strides like this to increase your daily walking total can pay off big time. Walking can help improve your health in a multitude of ways. As a cardiovascular activity, walking is good for your heart health and promotes weight loss by helping you burn calories. Walking is also low impact, which means it is easy on the joints, so unlikely to cause knee or ankle pain. Most importantly, walking is convenient and that makes it sustainable. After all, the most successful workout plan is the one that you will keep up with daily.  After weight loss surgery, taking small steps towards building a strong walking program is a great way to lose more weight.