Walk Your Butt Off: Lose Weight Walking

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Reap extra calorie burn from each stride with these no-need-for-speed walking techniques.

By Rachel Sturtz

Go against the grain.

Swinging your left arm and leg in sync -- rather than left arm and right leg -- burns 26 percent more calories, according to a new study from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Translation: A 3-mph walk goes from torching 211 calories per hour to 266. Totally worth the stares!

Move it on up.

Add a 5.0 incline, and that 3-mph walk blasts 346 calories, a 64 percent boost. "Your butt and legs work harder against gravity," explains exercise physiologist Julia Valentour of the American Council on Exercise.

Trade pavement for path.

Taking your stride to an uneven trail adds a balance challenge that helps you melt 82 percent more calories (384 per hour at a 3-mph pace).

Originally published in FITNESS magazine, January 2010.

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a3984502 wrote:

Right now I am following the Diet Plan for You blog by nutrition specialist Kate Hill. Kate helped me lose weight in a healthy way in few weeks, without starving! If you want to lose weight, just visit Kate's blog at: http://dietplanforyou.blogspot.com

11/5/2011 03:57:02 AM Report Abuse

ladyjay1965 wrote:

I WALK INCLINE 4 SPEED 5 THEN INCLINE 6 FOR 20 MINS SPEED 5 THEN I DECINE IT BACK DOWN TO 4 FOR THE LAST 10 MINS, IS THIS DOING ME AS GOOD AS JOGGING? I DO 2 SETS WALK A MILE EACH TIME

6/11/2010 02:32:13 AM Report Abuse

ALYPRI wrote:

I was doing jogging/walking intervals burning roughly 300-350 cal in 40 min...I switched about a month ago to varying the incline and speed, incline starting at 5.0 with speed of 3.8 going to incline of 15.0 dropping speed to 3.2 and burning roughly 500 cal in the same amount of time!!! Not to mention the difference I've noticed in my thighs and butt! :) Work smarter not harder!

2/22/2010 10:27:13 AM Report Abuse

hense90210 wrote:

I would also like to know what workout apparel this is!! (the pink one that is)

2/21/2010 12:16:23 PM Report Abuse

anonymous wrote:

I like to walk in the parking garage at work. It inclines going up and declines going down. It gives u that umphh! instead of a straight walk and no steps.

1/16/2010 04:35:36 PM Report Abuse