Advantages of Fitness Walking :

Can do it almost anywhere. You need not join a gym or go any place in particular to do it. Just go outside wherever you live and enjoy it. If you live in a dense, crowded locality, find a park or open space to walk in.

It is inexpensive. All you need is a good pair of comfortable, well-cushioned walking shoes that are flexible and offer good support.

And there are no steep gym fees to pay and no special sports wear to buy.

Do it any time that is convenient to you. You don't have to depend on the gym or club timings to start your exercise.

It is a low-impact, low stress form of exercise that rarely causes injury. Except for blisters, which are mainly due to ill-fitting shoes, walkers may experience only occasional mild shin splints - which is tenderness between the ankle and the knee that can be usually treated with ice and a day or two of rest.

It helps you shed pounds, which you have always wanted to lose. Fitness walking will help you achieve your ideal body weight and more importantly help you stay there. When you walk aerobically, the basal metabolic rate (BMR) goes up and your heart and respiratory rate increases. This increase in oxygen coupled with increased BMR burns off excess calories.

It is aerobic, as it lasts for more than 90 seconds and increases fresh supply of oxygen.

It is a good toning and firming up exercise. It will improve muscle tone and strengthen your hips and thighs.

It helps to beat stress. It helps you relax, overcome depression, makes you feel good about yourself and also helps you sleep better.

It improves the circulation in your legs, which helps you avoid getting varicose veins.

It stimulates elimination and makes your digestive system healthier.

Basic Tips before starting your walk

Buy a good pair of walking shoes. Once you buy the shoes, you are compelled to make a start.
Start slowly. If you have been living a sedentary lifestyle, you need to gradually ease yourself into a regular walk.

Walk with a friend. You may prefer to start on a fitness walking program alone, but if you are not motivated enough then ask a friend along. You can even organize a small fitness walking group, which will help you to keep the routine up and you will actually start looking forward to it.

Maintain a diary. Keep a record of when, where and how long you plan to walk. It will make it easy to achieve a set goal than with no clear plan in mind.

Don't give up easily. Often, if you have not exercised for years or are out of shape some soreness or stiffness is inevitable. Well, don't stop walking entirely. Take it easy, listen to your body and keep walking at a slower pace regularly until you are ready to increase the pace again.

Set realistic targets. Do not try to walk several kilometers in the first week or two itself.

Do not expect instant results. When you start your fitness walking program, you will be enthusiastic and expect quick results. But there may come a time when your initial excitement begins to disappear and you are tempted to break your routine. Keep it up and continue regular walks. Results will soon show.

Switch your walking route for a change.

Don't worry about missing your walk. Just make sure it does not become a habit.

Chalk out your own fitness walking program and stick to it.