Purpose of the LivingFit™ 90-Day Walking Program

The purpose of the LivingFit™ 90-Day Walking Program is for exercise to become a regular part of your life and for it to be an activity that you regularly anticipate.

How Does the Program Work?

Habits and Patterns Rule: Most of what we do on a daily basis is a function of habit; that is both good and bad. Some habits are productive while others do not provide well-being. One thing all habits have in common is that once they are established, they are easy to do and become automatic.

For many years of my life, not exercising was a habit. Another habit was providing great reasons for not exercising: “I hate it, I’ll do it later, I’m too tired, too busy, too... (whatever was convenient)".

Several years ago I was successful at losing both of those habits and in creating a new habit: exercise.  Exercise brings me pleasure and energizes me daily. Now, for me, exercising is a must and my day seems incomplete without it. In the LivingFit™ Program, we are going to help you create the habit of exercise.

The LivingFit™ 90-Day Walking Program is divided into three phases that take place over a 12-week period. Each phase consists of four weekly modules and each has a specific purpose.

In each phase you will receive:

• A Weekly Activity Objective
• Words of Wisdom
• An Opportunity to Journal
• A Place to Log Your Activity and the Minutes Walked

You may join the 5000 Minute Club, where you can compare your walking minutes milestones with co-workers and friends around the globe. Your walking may even earn you a trip for two to anywhere in the US. 

Expectations: We have no expectations for how far or how long you walk; that is always up to you. Below are some examples of realistic goals you might want to set for yourself (at the recommendation of your physician) on a beginner, intermediate, or advanced level. If you’re not sure where to start, start slow and enjoy. Once you complete the program, you may continue to log your activity and minutes and track your progress in the 5000 Minute Club.

8 Reasons to Walk!

Battling to get out there and walk? Time for a motivation boost.
By Terry Mackintosh

Here are eight good reasons why you need to haul out those walking shoes from the bottom of your cupboard and get going:

1. You'll become more fit. Walking is a great cardiovascular activity, requiring only thirty minutes three times a week to obtain a good level of cardiovascular fitness. Numerous studies have shown that walking regularly can result in a significant reduction of the so-called heart risk factors, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Surely you have 90 minutes a week to spare. Your heart will definitely thank you for it.
   
   
2. You'll lose weight. It has been conclusively shown that walking is effective in burning up calories and increasing metabolic rates and in so doing, helps you lose weight. Also, it's a lot more fun than dieting! A study done at the University of Massachusetts Medical School found that walking most definitely helps you trim fat and tone up flabby muscles. In this study, it was found that walking four times a week for a mere 45 minutes each time, resulted in an average weight loss of 17 lbs. a year without any form of dietary changes!
   
   
3. It's simple. Walking is an easily accessible activity that can be done anywhere, anytime, anyplace. And, other than a pair of decent walking shoes, no fancy equipment, special clothing, or expensive paraphernalia is required.
   
   
4. It's sociable. Walking in a group is sociable and fun. Not only will you get fit, but you will meet many interesting and fascinating people too.
   
   
5. You'll be less stressed. We are all subject to stress, but not all of us are capable of finding safe and effective ways of relieving it. Going walking is definitely better than going the cigarette, booze, or drugs route. In addition to stress reduction, you will also gain a greater sense of well-being, better productivity at work, and a more intensely experienced sensual life.
   
   
6. It's flexible. You have a great freedom of choice as a walker. You can choose to walk alone, with a group, with your dog, with the maid, or with your family. You can walk in the morning, the evening, or during lunchtime. You can walk in the rain, the sunshine, or indoors on a treadmill. You can walk on the streets, in the park, in the countryside, or at the gym. The choices are many and varied.
   
   
7. Everyone can do it. Unless you have major health problems, walking is open to everyone from the very young to the not-so-young. Everyone knows how to walk -- no specialized training or techniques are required unless you opt for race walking.
   
   
8. You will develop exceptional muscle tone. Muscles get more of a workout during walking compared to most other aerobic sports, particularly the leg muscles from the calves to the hamstrings. The gluteals also get a particularly good workout, and it has been said that the tightest and best-looking butts in the sporting world belong to the race walkers. The arms, back, and shoulders are also used extensively due to the vigorous arm swing that is required for correct and effective walking.