Losing weight is a lot harder than many people imagine. If it was, then the weight loss business wouldn't be the multi-billion dollar industry that it is. Dieting is no fun whatsoever - you are required to deny yourself most of the things that you enjoy and it seems to take forever before you see any results.

If you wish to see results more quickly then the option of including some element of regular physical exercise, however low intensity it is, is a wise move. The good thing about exercise is that, not only will you burn off additional calories due to the fact that you are taking exercise, but since you are exercising regularly you will increase your metabolism. You will burn off calories more rapidly, even if you aren't exercising but just going about your normal daily activities. Whether you're just listening to the radio, watching your favorite TV show, surfing the web - or even when you're sound asleep - you will be burning calories much faster.

If you are over 40 years of age, if you have any medical conditions, or if you just haven't exercised for a while, then you should seek the opinion of your doctor prior to taking up any new exercise program. When it comes to what the best type of exercise is, you will hear a huge variety of suggestions. In the final analysis, the most suitable exercise for you personally is whatever you can do and will be able to keep motivating yourself to do on a regular basis. It may be true that riding a racing bicycle around a track at an average speed of twelve miles per hour will burn more calories per hour than walking at 3.5 miles per hour or jogging at a speed of 5 miles per hour. However, it's a pointless distinction if you really dislike cycling and won't be able to motivate yourself to get in the saddle on a consistent and regular basis.

There's no doubt about it, walking is one of the best ways to start taking exercise. It's something which needs no training or expertise and which requires no special equipment. It's also a low intensity, low impact form of exercise which can be carried out by a broad age range and which has an extremely low abandonment rate. You can pretty much fit it into your day whenever it suits you best – you can even increase your step count in two, three or even four mini sessions throughout the day if that’s what works best for you.

Don't be fooled into thinking that, because walking is a low intensity workout, it can't provide you with a number of significant health benefits. Health and fitness professionals generally agree that a target of 10,000 steps daily is what's required in order to achieve a whole host of health and fitness benefits - not just weight loss. By the way, that is a total of 10,000 steps daily - and it includes all of your normal walking activity. Get yourself an Omron pedometer and monitor exactly the total number of steps that you take each day. It will also display the number of calories burned or the distance covered if that is more likely to help you stay motivated.

There's absolutely no necessity to immediately get up to 10,000 steps. Look for convenient ways to include walking as part of your everyday activities and gradually build up to the target figure over time. You'll be amazed at just how easy it is. Walk and talk on your mobile phone – a fifteen minute telephone conversation will let you fit in an extra 1,000 steps. Get off the bus a stop or two before you reach your destination and walk the last leg of the journey. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. You will be pleasantly surprised at just how fast minor changes like this can increase your daily step count. You’ll also be delighted at how much faster you are able to see, and fell, the benefits.

About the only other piece of equipment you need for a walking exercise program is a good comfortable pair of shoes. Be certain that your shoes don't cause you any discomfort or give you blisters when walking. It will otherwise be hard to motivate yourself to carry on walking. Should you wish, you can use the latest design of exercise footwear. Shoes such as Reebok Easy Tones, Skechers Shape Ups and Fit flops sandals are all scientifically designed to increase the amount of work performed by your lower body muscles. They boost the effectiveness of your walking exercise regime and help you to tone and trim your lower body more quickly.

Whatever exercise you opt for, and however you choose to accommodate it in your daily schedule, the critical thing is consistency. A small amount of extra effort, if undertaken on a consistent and regular basis, will help you to burn calories faster - both due to the exercise itself and the increase in your metabolic rate. You’ll see results much more quickly than by dieting alone and – most important of all – you will feel great.