By Anna O.
Lost 80 pounds from230 pounds

If you don't have enough time to go to the gym daily, I strongly encourage you "walking to lose weight fast."  You can walk at your own pace and gradually increase your speed until you feel ready to jog and then run.  Here is the thing. Walking can help you lose weight  and tone your body on the principle of how many calories you burn, how many calories you eat, how often you walk, how long you walk.  To burn one pound of fat, you need to burn 3500 calories.

I started walking and running to get back in shape and I am having a blast.  It is the easiest and free way to exercise.  You can walk and run just about anywhere. If you can’t run, try walking fast. 15 minutes of brisk walking a day help you keep fit.

You need comfortable Running Shoes and whatever running gear to maximize  your walking and running experience. I keep track of my miles, burned calories, distance, and more with my Nike Sport Band. You can use also a pedometer to check your progress and how many miles you walk or run.
 
Let me share my experience with you. I go weekly to run in different areas, here in this post, I am adding the photos from one of the running clubs in Beverly Hills where I go often "Lululemon Beverly Hills".  There are about 3 FREE weekly running clubs in Beverly Hills either for beginners, intermediate, or advanced.  I am in the beginner / intermediate level right now.  You can walk / run for 2 miles, 5 miles, and 10 miles.  There are groups for each level.

Among my favorite groups is that of Lululemon. My running coach there is Tilita Lutterloh, wow, this girl is super flexible and a great coach understanding your needs. Running at Lululemon Beverly Hills are on Mondays, starting with a warm up, stretching, then you join the respective groups: walking/running, intermediate running, or advanced running.   After running there is a Free Yoga recovery for runners/ athletes at the store.  The Yoga instructor is Angie  Stewart  . She is awesome and guide you through different yoga poses to improve your running, stamina, flexibility, recovery!

I am having a blast with this club and the people are so friendly too.  I like it so much that I rush to finish working on time to make it on time to the club!!  To end the whole walking / running / yoga experience, Lululemon  provides refreshments after.  Hello, and everything is free. So, why not joining any of the Lululemon walking / running stores and start burning  calories to lose weight fast walking. 


 

 

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 The beginner walking group routine includes 2 miles from the store to the Beverly Hills Park.  It is about 2 running / jogging blocks, then, 1 block walking, and again 2 running blocks.  However, if you feel tired, you can continue fast walking.  Conversely, if you don't want to stop, you can keep running until there is the "SPOT 1 mile TREE mark."  We take a stretching break there, and then, back to running until returning to the store where you can either go home or stay for the FREE complimentary Yoga session to stretch and release all muscle tension.
 



 





Nike town in Beverly Hills have their running with free refreshments on Thursdays.

 



 

Anna and Running coach Tilita Lutterloh, personal trainer at Equinox.



 

Here we are doing the pre-running stretching.  Do you guys notice how flexible Coach Tilita is?? wow!!!!!!  





Guys, running on Rodeo Drive and you can have your camera ready in case you meet any star or just sightseeing.

   

Anna with Angie Stewart  instructor of Fitness and Yoga.

Here are photos from the Yoga session at Lululemont Beverly Hills given by  AngieStewart  instructor of Fitness and Yoga.

 

Running through the main streets of Beverly Hills is awesome.  Routes include running on Rodeo Drive and passing famous brand names businesses too, such as Versace, Gucci, Salvatore Ferragamo, Prada ... hey also, you pass famous Beverly Hills Hotel on Wilshire Boulevard.  Remember the movie "Pretty Woman," well.. that's the hotel where Richard Gere and Julia Roberts recorded some of the scenes. I am telling you, in no time you would have completed around 3 miles walking / running just by going around Beverly Hills window shopping or with any of the Running clubs routine.

 

Just before starting my running, I usually take my cup of Starbucks coffee.


 



By the way....  in case you are curious how I look when I was 230 pounds.....  here it is the NEVER WANT TO BE THERE PHOTO with all the 230 pounds OUCH.....


              

Running tips 

1. Always warm up before your start your run, include stretching. You don't want to  have cramps or pull a muscle.

2. Get a great pair of running shoes because you need to support your feet well. Running  shoes are built to support and cushion your feet as they pound the  ground to avoid injuries.

3.Walk first for 5 minutes, then run in long, smooth strides at a  comfortable pace. Avoid jogging as jerky movements can wear out your   knee cartilage, which would result in knee pain and affect your future  ability to run, or even walk properly. Cool down by walking for another 5minutes after your run.

4.Stretch after running.  Running can cause your muscles to shorten and tighten, increasing the risk of muscle pulls and strains. The best way to prevent these injuries is with regular stretching and flexibility training. Stretch all your major leg muscles after you’ve been running.  In my case, I have to stretch my calves because they get so tight!!!

5. Eat  proper meals to add fuel to your body. You can cut down on snacks and  everything else but drink plenty of water and have a balanced diet with lots of vegetable, fruits, and complex carbs for body fuel (for example, whole grain pasta). 

6. When you run, watch your posture. Relax  your shoulders, look straight ahead, not down and pull your navel to  your spine. Do not clench your fists.

7. This is vital. Drink a glass of water an  hour before and after your run. Why?  You'll lose plenty of fluids through  sweat when you run and your body needs to replenish them. Staying hydrated is a must.  

If you become dehydrated you could suffer from nausea, fatigue  or headaches.  Make sure you have your bottle of waters.

8. Include plenty of protein in your meals. When you run, your body may use protein as fuel to keep going, so it’s important to regularly replaceyour stores and for muscle recovery. For example, try to eat low fat proteins like lean meat and fish. If you’re training heavily, you might eat about 1.5 grams of protein for every kilogram of your body weight each day.

FREE Running clubs in Beverly Hills

Lululemon Athletica Beverly Hills - Running and Yoga Club
334 NorthBeverly Drive, CA 90210
Phone: (310) 858-8339
Every Monday at6:30 p.m.
This running club for all levels, beginners, intermediate and advanced runners

Niketown Beverly Hills
9560 WilshireBoulevard
Beverly Hills, CA 90212-2412
(310) 275-9998
When:Every Thursday at 6:30 p.m.
This running club is more for intermediate and advanced runners

Beverly Hills Walking Club
Coordinated through Bac to Health Wellness
(310) 888-8762
EveryTuesday at 6 p.m. and on Saturdays at 8 a.m.
This group meets atStarbucks on corner of Wilshire Blvd. and Santa Monica Boulevard.
Here is more for walkers.  Walking Distance route is about 1 or 2 miles.
Email:  BHWC@bactohealth.com

I went once to this Walking Club and let me tell you it was a nice experience. 
Dr. Bryen Bell and his wife are very friendly.

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