Are you one of those people who think that if we were supposed to run they'd serve cocktails in sipper bottles? (mmm, not a bad idea actually) but really would like to start increasing your fitness or decreasing your fatness? What about Walkies then? Walking is not just limited to dykes with overly large canines; walking allows you to increase your fitness without having to think about equipment AND if you stick to the footpath you can still sip your Singapore Sling without spilling any down the front of your well thought out training outfit! As long as you get a bit ‘puffed' when doing it you are burning fat and decreasing your chances of heart attacks, a less than pert bottom and other such lifestyle inhibiting conditions. The above mentioned type of lesbian has of course got an added motivation to go out walking; those large dogs mean walking is essential if they don't want Fildo to destroy their crocheted bed cover and chew up their rubber wear, the rest of you will have to just suck it up and take to the streets for vanity only or investigate leashing options for your significant other. HUP 2, 3, 4!! In order to keep improving your fitness you have to keep making your walking workout harder as you get fitter. This means that the more you do, the more you need to do, a concept completely foreign to nelly old bottoms and couch queers but just think about the word ‘harder' in it's other applications, harder isn't always a bad thing! The easiest way to increase your workload is to walk for longer (add 5-10 minutes every couple of weeks) but at some point you have to add intensity as well or you'll be walking for hours, ending up in the middle of nowhere with no reception on your cellphone and not a decent flat white for miles. You can increase intensity by adding in hills, changing your terrain (the beach ain't just for beach volleyball watching girls) or just moving faster.SUBURBAN COMMANDO One of the advantages of walking is that it can be done anytime, anyplace so there are no really, really, really good excuses for not doing it. COUTURE Walking is not a high impact activity so industrial strength, steel reinforced packaging of the undergarment variety is not required for health and safety reasons, but don't let that stop you. In the outer clothing department- something comfy with layers so you can take off stuff as you either get hot or come across someone who is hot. In the shoe department, a basic pair of trainers within your budget is all you need although my own personal research has proven that by just wearing red trainers your fitness improves. DISTANCE AND TIME How long and how hard you workout is dependant on your fitness and also your time restraints. If you are after a quickie, then go hard but if you are looking to invest some time in your walking workout then hold back a bit so you don't end up exhausted before you've had all the fun. Not convinced? Then stay on the computer and head over to www.julzdarroch.co.nz/for more fitness tips and info or to http://thecrazyhousewifechronicles.blogspot.com/for my non-fitness ramblings which may just bore you off the couch. Julz Darroch is a Wellington-based Personal Trainer and Fitness Educatorwith 15 years ofexperience in the fitness industry. Send your fitness-related questions and personal training enquiries to julzdarroch@actrix.co.nz Julz Darroch - 19th September 2010