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One of the things to do in 2011 is focus more on our health, fitness, and general well-being. While some people enjoy time spent in the gym, others are either incapable due to age, or physical limitations, while others are just not interested. One thing most everyone loves doing is walking, but our lives are structured so that walking is rarely possible or encouraged. Here’s 4 simple ways to walk more frequently.

Tip 1: Live close to all amenities

If you live in an environment where your place of work, your children’s school, shops and recreation facilities are nearby, the likelihood that you walk more increases significantly. Walking your children to school, walking to the office, walking to the store and so will see you walk more often with very little effort.

Tip 2: Always be ready

If you adhere to tip 1, always being ready to go for a walk is imperative. However, if you’re not in a walking friendly environment, having a good pair of running shoes on you whenever the chance presents itself is important. Keep them handy, whether that is in a back pack on your person or in the boot of your car. As the opportunity presents itself, take it with both hands.

Tip 3: Walk your pets more often

If you have dogs, you understand the benefits if they walk more. They’re healthier and happier the more often they’re allowed to stretch their legs. If you walked your pets twice a day – once first thing in the morning before you leave for work and once in the early evening upon return – not only will you have happier pets, you will also get to stretch more often yourself.

Tip 4: Walking for fitness

Walking more often is all in the interest of becoming more fit. So if you schedule time to go for speed walking or slow strolls into your day to day schedule, your fitness will skyrocket, especially if you’re starting from no base whatsoever.

Tags: exercise, keeping fit, walking