Hit the hills: Anna's walking tips

Anna — Wed, 30 May 2007 10:00:00 GMT

It's a gorgeous day here in Guleph!

And one of the best things about this weather is that it inspires us to get outside and to get moving. Even if you were sluggish, and a bit more lethargic than you should have been over the winter months, this weather will beckon the worst couch potatoes outside to the sun - even if it's just for a walk.

Speaking of walking, it's important that you keep good posture in mind when you hit the pavement, beach or hiking trail. You can injure yourself if you don't practice safe walking posture. For those of you looking to shed some of that excess winter weight, here are some of my favorite safety walking tips that I share with my clients:

Proper posture - don't slouch as you walk, it puts excess strain on your lower back and shoulders. Instead use this time to be mindful of proper posture - head forward, chin up, shoulders up and comfortably back.
Tackle some hills - walking is an excellent way to get the blood circulating in your legs and entire body, but if you want to kick things up a notch add some resistance by tackling some hills on your walking route.
Get your whole body involved - don't just let your arms hang limp at your sides, get them pumping to the rhythm of your pace. Maybe even add some wrist and ankle weights for resistance.
Wear sun protection - sunglasses to protect your eyes and apply a sunscreen that's at least 30 SPF, 30 minutes before heading outside.
Stay hydrated - your water bottle is your hiking best friend. Remember to stay hydrated during your workouts.

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Hit the hills: Anna's walking tips