Shape Up: Walk the Block
It's easy to get caught up in your work and go into zombie mode without ever leaving your desk. However, if you're looking to shape up for the New Year, you've got to start taking a break to walk the block.
I've always tried to be good about my exercise regimen. However, many of my friends find it difficult to carve out time to work out each day. Needless to say, they've all found a way to stay slim. What's their secret? They walk during their lunch breaks! Instead of sitting through lunch, they eat and then walk. Whether it's around the block or your building, just ten minutes of walking briskly can make a difference. (If your job requires you to wear heels or uncomfortable shoes, pack a pair of sandals or tennis shoes to slip on during lunch.)
Walking has so many benefits–mental and physical. You can burn upwards of 100 calories from a brisk 20-minute walk. If you're looking to drop a couple pounds that you packed on over the holidays, walking during lunch in addition to your regular exercise schedule will help you shed those unwanted LBs much faster too. Not only does it help tone your arms, abs and shoulders, it also burns more fat than jogging. Who knew? Better yet–walking also boosts endorphins, which ease stress, fatigue, confusion, and anger. Whenever I'm experiencing a bout of writers block or just need a break, taking a quick 15-minute walk always does the trick. It helps me recalibrate and reset. And I always end up being far more productive afterward too!
Are you walking the block? How do you stay in shape when you can't squeeze in a full workout?
XO Lauren
P.S. I just posted a blog about what to wear on your birthday! Click here to check it out.
You might also like...
Slim Tip: Why Break the Fast
Slim Tip: The Spinach Wrap
Shape Up: Kick Into Gear
Fit Tip: Kick Up the Cardio
Photo: Part Time Princess
87 comments
-
Walking it my favorite form of exercise, it's what I prefer to do. :)
http://ohthethingsyoucanwear.blogspot.com/ -
I go to school in the city and, if I have the time, I walk everywhere I need to go, no matter how many blocks! It makes me feel better about myself and clear my head :)
-
When I have no time I sty up and jump up and dpwn a few time. Its always really helpfull and keeps your body in shape!!
http://www.look-scout.blogspot.com
-
my best friend and i just moved in together in a house with our boyfriends. we each have a dog, we moved into a beautiful classy suburb in our hometown (much more affordable when you have more people!) lol but anywho, every day, sometime wether its dark or not (beauty of living in a potrolled quiet neghborhood). but everyday we walk about 1.5 miles with our dogs together. its very peaceful and relaxing after a days work, and our doggies get to spend time with us! :) and we get away from the men ;)
i also used to walk at my old house. it got me in WAYY better shape. and all i did was walk everyday! trick is, if your REALLY out of shape, start slow. walk a good 2 miles, but do it at a comfortable slow pace, and TIME YOURSELF!! ...next day, go just a bit faster and set a time goal for yourself, shed off a couple minutes..and keep doing that everyday. but i NEVER joged! i kept going everyday till i got up to as fast of a walk as i could. then on the last stretch before my house i would sprint. but that alone got me into great shape. saddly, i quit. but I WILL start up again! :) good luck ladies! :)
-
Unfortunately I often work through lunch nowadays, but when I was living in LA and working in the Taft Building on Hollywood and Vine, I almost always took a walk on my lunch break. It gave me a chance to get fresh air (well, as fresh as you can get in Hollywood), stretch my legs, and relax a little. Plus, as you said, it's a great workout! I was often too tired to go to the gym by the time I got home, so my lunch walks were really helpful in keeping me from becoming a fatty mcfatterson.
-
I love walks! I park almost a mile away from my work building and it has become a blessing in disguise. It not only helps me stay healthy but also clears my mind. I also try to take the stairs whenever possible!
-
-
-
I walk to and from school everyday. In the rain, in the heat whatever weather! It takes me about 15-20 minutes and in the morning it really refreshes me because most of the time I'm still half-asleep when I get up in the morning for school. It's also a way for me to calm down and collect my thoughts, especially if I have a test that morning, it gives me time to roughly revise things inside my head as i'm not so distracted. After school it can be a bit annoying especially on hot summer afternoons when I'm tired and hot but it's all worth it! :)
-
-
There is a starbucks pretty near to my house and my workplace so when I feel like I need to go somewhere I just go out with my iPod and take a quick walk to starbucks. feels good sometimes :)
-
Walks are such a good way to excercise! You don't feel like you're doing anything. I love to hop on the treadmill and walk while I watch tv.
-
I love taking walks in my neighborhood. It feels so good to just listen to the music on my iPod and clear my head on a nice day :)
-
I love talking walks..its the easiest form of exercise for lazy gals like myself..haha
http://renoos.tumblr.com/ -
Living in a VERY small town doesn't give you much option. We have no workout chain so most people go walking at the high school track. When I'm on a health kick, it's where I go. -
Here is a very good kick start-breakfast or lunch :)
When you want to get into shape, eating makes 90% of it. This breakfast is nutritious, has a lot of vitamins and anti-oxidants and keeps the hunger away :))
http://avecsofie.indiedays.com/2012/01/28/kick-start-breakfast/
-
Love this!! Also a great time to catch up with co-workers about non-work stuff. I'm working on setting up weekly walk dates with my coworkers now!
-
The Part about walking burning more calories than jogging is simply not true, not even if you walk military style. Its great to clear your head and get some fresh air, thats true, but fitnesswise running up and down the stairs in your building is more effective.
-
I also walk around the block for exercise. I powerwalk for about an hour. It's so relaxing for me and helps me to shed pounds :)
-
Hi there! I love your blog, and all the helpful advice you offer, but sometimes I can´t do some of the things you suggest cause I live in a country not so safe to take a hike around the block of my work, so what I try to do after lunch is go upstairs and downstairs a couple times and walk around around my co-workers´s offices! but If I change my adress I sure will follow this advice!
-
I think i'm going to try this one out at school!
In my weekend job we're not allowed to leave the store during our lunch time..
-
-
I have so many stairs in my townhome that i do not need to walk the block lol.. we have 3 floors so its already tiring walking those every day multiple times lol
-
I have a 20 minute walk from the train to where I work, and I'm so happy for that! Walking is my FAVORITE way to keep in shape! If it's too cold or too hot outside, I have a treadmill that I walk on for 20 minutes.
-
Huh! That's really cool that walking burns more fat than jogging! Thanks Lauren for that tidbit. I do a couple of different workouts during the week and I have a set time that I go so I can get a good hour and half to two hour session, but if I'm short on time I either do a quick magazine workout, treadmill, or just anything. I'm definitely adding walking to my workout now. If you want some workout ideas I post new workouts on Wednesdays on my blog. Check it out!
Join the Discussion!