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Mallwalking tips

The latest trend is mallwalking. This is not another fitness mania but actually a convenient way to get some cardio activity and reduce weight.

What are the benefits of mallwalking?

You can walk in any weather - With mallwalking, you can never have the heat, rain, snow or the wind as an excuse for not exercising. Since the temperatures in malls are controlled, you have a perfect climate all year through. Walking thirty minutes or more is the best exercise to reduce weight.

Safety - Since you are walking inside the mall, you do not have to worry about getting mugged, teased or even hit by traffic.

Clean and pollution free environment - You do not have to jump over puddles, or try to avoid stepping on dog poop or worry about your allergies acting up due to pollution.

No cost - Unlike gyms, the malls won't charge you for walking, so that means you won't be paying a hefty membership or monthly charges.

How to get started?

As for any exercise routine, ask your doctor or health care provider if you are fit for walking. Invest in some comfortable workout clothes - even though it is the hippest mall around, you cannot be exercising in your skinny jeans. Put on your walking/exercise shoes - again stilettos are a strict no-no for exercising. Start with 10-15 minutes of walking at a pace that you are comfortable and then after a couple of days increase the pace and the duration. Get a walking buddy (or partner) to keep you both motivated. Research shows that a walk buddy is effective in achieving your goals to reduce weight.

What are the disadvantages?

It could be heavy on your pocket - the main reasons why mall owners are happy about letting you use the mall! Walking by the displays in the shops could make your wallet lighter even if you aren't a shopaholic! If you get tempted by the aromas from the food court, you could be getting in more calories than you burnt! The solution to this would be to walk without your wallet or just get minimum cash (just in case of emergencies). Money is a great motivator and everyone wants to get their money's worth. Mallwalking is free, so you need to motivate yourself to exercise. Since the surface is hard, make sure you are wearing good shock absorbing shoes to protect your joints.

Credits - WorldwideRunning.com would like to thank the website Ezine Articles for the permission to reprint the article "Mall Walking - Tips and Benefits of Walking in a Mall" by Sweta Purohit. Sweta is a dietitian with years of experience in the field of Nutrition and Dietetics. She has worked very closely with renal and diabetic patients. She has also taught nutrition to nursing students of the Manipal School of Nursing as well as the undergraduate medical students. Sweta is now working as dietitian with DesiDieter. DesiDieter offers online weight loss diet plans, dietitians advice, fitness programs, yoga and exercises, diabetes diet, home remedies, healthy recipes and much more.