Walk It Off: Burn 1,300 Calories Walking

Check out the latest skinny on walking: Women between the ages of 18 and 30 who walked at least four hours a week were 44 percent more likely to lose weight during the 15 years they were tracked than those who didn't walk at all -- regardless of what other exercise they did, according to a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. To hit that magic 240-minute-a-week total, follow this simple plan created by Malin Svensson, a walking and fitness expert in Los Angeles. You'll not only burn off 1,300 calories this week but also firm up trouble zones that your average stroll ignores.

Aim to rack up at least 45 minutes of walking on most days, alternating your usual steady walks with Svensson's Burn-and-Firm Workout, shown on the following slides. You'll melt about 240 calories in each 45-minute Burn-and-Firm session as you "sculpt from abs to calves and build more push-off power," says Svensson, author of Nordic Walking, who puts her clients through this shape-up. For an allover makeover, give equal toning TLC to your top half with Svensson's four Essential Upper-Body Shaper exercises, on slides 10 to 13. Now step on it!