Walk This Way

I've been walking about two miles a day every weekday morning for the past 18 years.  That's a lot of miles!  I was reading an article in USA Weekend last month that walking the right way is an effective exercise option that has been proven to promote weight loss, trim waistlines, improve heart health, tone bones and joints, and relieve stress.  So I figure all those miles have been pretty beneficial.

The article went on to gives some suggestions for maximizing a walking workout.  Right now I feel like my workout is being maximized just by trying to keep up with Jeffrey and by walking in all that slush that ends up in the streets after it snows.  That stuff is really hard to walk in!  But I'm going to have to try these too:

• Heel walking - This gives your calf muscles a natural stretch while strengthening the shin muscles.  Walk on your heels for 30 paces at least three times during your walk.
• Crossover walking - This method strengthens the muscles that support and stabilize the hip and knee joints.  Walk sideways with the back leg crossing behind the lead leg.
• Waist-whittler walking - With your arms bent and elbows out to the side at shoulder height, walk slower as you increase your upper-body rotation. 

Luckily my husband is always in front of me anymore, so he won't be laughing at me when I try these.

Related articles

• Walk It Off: Tricks For Burning More Calories (fitsugar.com)