Three universal goals most of us share are:

1. To live longer,
   
   
2. To live free of illness and
   
   
3. To control our weight.
   
   Interestingly enough, normal walking helps us achieve all three and it is not that much of an effort – IS IT?
   
   

All it takes is a little time, common sense and a few guidelines. Unfortunately, there's a lot of misinformation floating around regarding fitness walking, weight-loss and dieting.

To lose weight, it's more important to walk for time than speed. Walking at a moderate pace yields longer workouts with less soreness - leading to more miles and more calories spent on a regular basis.

Equally, it is important to get your body used to the new activity. Rather than starting with an hours' walk straight away, start with 15 minutes and increase the length of your walks each time you go out. This allows your body to adjust slowly to the new requirements and will spare you from the aches and pains of an untrained body doing a “marathon”. You are more likely to stick to your new plans and keep up your motivation if you get used to it slowly and can enjoy a certain feeling of satisfaction when you successfully increased the length of your walk for another 5-10 minutes.

High-intensity walks on alternate days help condition one's system. But in a walking-weight-loss program, it's better to be active every day. This doesn't require walking an hour every day. The key is leading an active life-style 365 days a year. Therefore, make a point in walking to the bus-stop or taking the stairs rather than the lift on your “non-walking days”. You will be amazed how quickly you will get used to your new activities.

When it comes to good health and weight loss, exercise and diet are interrelated. Exercising without maintaining a balanced diet is no more beneficial than dieting while remaining inactive.

The national research council recommends eating five or more servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Fruits and vegetables are the ideal diet foods for several reasons. They're relatively low in fat and calories, yet are often high in fibre and rich in essential vitamins and minerals.

Carbohydrates are high-octane fuel. They provide energy for movement and help raise internal body metabolism. They're also satisfying. The key is not adding high-fat toppings to your carbohydrates.

It's everyday habits which define our weight and body composition. A three-minute walk after each meal is worth four pounds less body fat annually. Two flights of stairs a day burns off half a pound of body fat in a year. On the other hand, one candy bar eaten daily will add 20 pounds to your body-weight in a year's time... I don't know about you – but I would have an apple instead. Less sugar, better taste and part of your “5 each day-program”.

All the money in the world is nothing if you are not in good health. As wifes and moms, our focus is not only our health, but also the well-being of our loved-ones. Therefore, we are always looking for information to help us improve our well-being. If you are an expert in the area of Health and Beauty, why not contribute to this site by publishing an article or two? The more people help us putting the information together, the more valuable a resource it can become for all of us...