Walking To Lose Weight

Making time to walk

Ken — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 16:41:52 +0000

For the last few weeks I haven’t done much walking because it’s been hard to find the time. Since walking to lose weight only works if you’re actually doing the walking, though, I’ve been thinking about ways to find time to go walking. One possibility is to get up early and go for a walk before work. If you’re a morning person this is a great time to take a walk – especially during the summer. The air is still cool, birds are singing, and if you’re lucky enough to live in the right area you can see lots of wildlife. Last Saturday morning on my walk I saw killdeer, quail, morning doves, a meadowlark, lots of rabbits, and a couple kinds of butterflies. Walking in the early morning is also relaxing because the day is still quiet. The only problem is that during the week I need to be at work by 6:00 am and it’s hard for me to get up early enough to have time for a good long walk and still make it to work on time. Another option would be to walk while I’m at work. I’m lucky enough to work at a place that has a great 1 mile walking trail that circles the campus. The only problem is that during the day it’s so hot that after walking it I’d need to go home and shower, which I don’t have time for. When I get home from work, it’s the same story – too hot plus I have to take care of the kids ’till my wife gets home, etc. What I’ve been doing lately is walking in the evening, just after it gets dark. AT first my wife didn’t like this because it left her having to take care of the kids and try to do house cleaning, wash dishes, etc. all at the same time which was pretty stressful. We made a deal so I do the housework when I get home then after dinner while I’m walking all she has to do is put the dishes away and then she can hang with the kids. So far it’s working out pretty good except that after my evening walk I feel so energized that it’s hard to get to sleep before 11:00.

I need to shed some lbs…

Ken — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 15:27:05 +0000

My wife is right (as usual), I really need to lose some weight. My ideal weight is about 180 lbs and I currently weigh about 215. The biggest problem with my weight is most of it is concentrated around my belly – a classic “beer gut.” Not only does it look disgusting, it’s very bad for heart health. We’ve got a 5 year old son I’d like to see grow up, and as I told my wife last night I want to live a long time so that I have many years to enjoy driving my 66 Barracuda. I’d also like to get in shape so I can enjoy the things with our son that I used to enjoy with my dad. Walking isn’t my favorite activity, but walking to lose weight is probably a good idea. I enjoy bicycle riding more but that’s no fun in the wind; walking is something that I can do just about any time or any where. So my stats are 6’1″ tall, 216 lbs, and seriously out of shape, also have mild high blood pressure and cholesterol. My goals are pretty simple, I’d like to get down to 180 lbs and get my blood pressure and cholesterol level under control without medication. It would also be nice to go hiking without getting out of breath the first time the trail starts to go up hill. So… that’s where I’m at. I’ll be 46 this year and it’s time to get back in shape. I think walking to lose weight will be a good start.

Cheers,

Ken

Meet My Husband

Xiaohua — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 15:10:35 +0000

I started this blog to help motivate my husband to lose weight and… he hasn’t lost any weight!!! In fact, I think he’s actually put on a few extra pounds. So, I’m going to have him start writing about his experiences with trying to lose weight. I guess he can write about his own experiences better than I can any way so without further ado, meet my husband Ken.

Walk Off Belly Fat

Xiaohua — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 17:37:39 +0000

My biggest concern about my husband is that most of his excess weight is concentrated around his belly. Some studies show that belly fat carries much higher health risks than fat stored in other areas of the body. Walking, combined with a healthy diet, is an excellent way to lose excess belly fat. Because walking for weight loss is a low impact form of exercise, it is safer for people who have some of the health issues associated with being overweight. Even so, you should consult with your doctor before starting a walking program if you have any health problems.

Walking to Lose Weight

Xiaohua — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 20:49:45 +0000

Welcome to my Walking to Lose Weight blog! I don’t need to lose weight but my husband does. This blog is my journal of turning my husband from a couch potato back into the fit young man he was when we first got married. BTW, no, he’s not hen pecked, he fully supports me in this. We both want him to be around long enough to see our younger son grow up:)

At the start of this (today) he weighs 212 lbs, will have to check blood pressure and cholesterol level and post later, but both are high even though he’s on meds for them. Our goal is 180 lbs (and especially lose the belly) with both blood pressure and cholesterol in the low end of the normal range.

This won’t be just about weight loss though. The health benefits of walking aren’t limited to losing weight. I really believe that walking can enhance your physical, mental, and spiritual health. For a brief overview of the walking experience, check out my “Walking to Lose Weight” lens on Squidoo. Keep coming back here, too. I expect to update this site regularly.

Sincerely,

Xiaohua