5. Stride Length
The problem: Taking strides that are too long
Why it's a weight loss killer: Big strides will kill your speed, and without speed, you won't burn as many calories, McGee says.
How to fix it: Check that you're using the right stride length by lifting a foot and leaning slightly forward as you see where that foot naturally falls. Try it with the other foot and keep repeating these steps until this stride length feels natural.
6. Shoes
The problem: Wearing old or the wrong shoes
Why it's a weight loss killer: You won't be able to walk very far or fast if you're in pain. "You could easily get shin splints, plantar fasciitis, tight hips, or lower back pain, which could take you completely out of the game," says Jenny Schatzle, a fitness trainer in Santa Barbara, CA, and creator of the Jenny Schatzle program.
How to fix it: Find a walking store where you can get expert advice about the best shoe for your feet (or try this easy foot test to see what foot type you have). Scott Danberg, MS, director of fitness at Pritikin Longevity Center in Miami has some guidance: Find a shoe that gives you a thumb's width between your longest toe and front inside edge of the shoe; a firm heel cup; at least one-quarter to one-inch sole cushion; and lateral support. Then make sure you switch those shoes every 3 to 5 months, Schatzle says.
More From Prevention: Your 10 Biggest Walking Pains, Solved
7. Logging Results
The problem: Not logging your fitness progress
Why it's a weight loss killer: If you're not keeping tabs on how your fitness is improving, it'll be tougher to know when you need to change things up, Morelli says.
How to fix it: Keep a walking journal that notes time, pace, and distance. Each week, try to improve one of those variables. For instance, add a few more minutes to your walks or try to beat your time from a walk last week.
Related Articles:
- Why Walking Is One of the Best Forms of Exercises
- 5 Habits That Lead to Weight Loss
- 21 Weight-Loss Tricks in One Minute
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