Hi, I'm new to the site, and I find all this sharing and support just great!! I've 30 lbs. to lose, but I am not following any particular plan--just sensible eating and exercise. My favorite exercise is outdoor walking. I've been doing it off and on for over a year now. It makes me feel great! My top distance at a time is 1 1/4 miles. I'd like to walk longer, but time is limited--I'm a working mom.

I am looking for a suggestion to make my walks more effective. Since I've begun, I've noticed changes in my legs and hips, but I don't think I am getting much of an upper body workout. Is there some way that I could incorporate something like that into my walking? I don't want to stop walking and do push-ups or crunches. I want it to be part of the walking itself. Any ideas would be immensely appreciated. Thanks in advance!!

Carry weights and do upper body weights while you're walking? That's what they do in the Walk Away the Pounds videos. Side raises, flyes, standing dumbell presses, that kind of thing. It might look a little weird, but it would get the job done.

Hi Raven Toy!! I took your advice and used the weights in my walking today. I really don't care what I look like while I am walking, so that wasn't a problem. I carried 1 lb. weights in each hand for a one-mile walk. Part of the time I just carried them, sometimes at my sides, and other times at waist level. Then I did side raises--first one arm at a time, then both arms together, about 10 in a set--two or three sets. At one point I had to make sure I didn't hit another lady walking on the track at the same time!! My workout felt more intense right away, and tonight I am a bit sore in the back and sides--must be working!! It's exactly what I was hoping to have happen. Thanks a million!!