Walk Off the Weight

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Fight Stress While You Walk

Get a bigger dose of bliss from your let-off-steam cardio routine with these proven mind-body exercises.

Stretch Your Breath

Take longer, slower exhales than inhales as you stride, suggests David Coppel, PhD, a sports psychologist in Kirkland, Washington. Breathing techniques soothe by shifting your focus away from anxiety-producing "what if" thoughts about the future and into the present.

See Green

A walk in nature lowers stress levels significantly more than pounding the pavement around town, reports a recent study in the journal Environment and Behavior. Head to the park whenever you need added relief.

Count Your Steps

Repeat "one, two, one, two" as you stride, picturing the number each time, says James Rippe, MD, a cardiologist in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. Walkers using this tactic instantly reduced their stress levels, his research found.

Go Om

Tune in to the pattern of your arms swinging in rhythm with your feet, says psychologist Nina Smiley, PhD, coauthor of The Three Minute Meditator. "It can be as restful as a good nap," she says.

Next: Get the Right Gear

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Sabrinajphi1 wrote:

Why does most weight stuff always use a low weight person. like the walking stuff. I am interested in the walking info but I cannot walk that fast for a distance. My weight was 265 on July 12th of this year. I am trying and succedding at losing more. Would like to how many calories I should be eating to get down to -like 165. My highest weight was 498lbs.

9/22/2012 06:41:45 AM Report Abuse

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12/13/2011 01:27:45 PM Report Abuse

tessmcnulty wrote:

What a brilliant magazine, I love it ! Sadly I don't think I can subscribe I live in England.

6/10/2011 12:16:06 AM Report Abuse

janeckel2 wrote:

Love it. I sit in front of a computer all day so any tips to help the butt, I am all for it!

4/26/2011 10:24:39 AM Report Abuse

anonymous wrote:

I think your help would be very helpful. Thank you

2/3/2011 04:39:53 PM Report Abuse