Spring Shape Up - Part 1 of 7: Get with the Program!

Spring is here and you know what that means… Summer is right around the corner!

So, if you somehow fell off your New Year's bandwagon or are just getting around to getting in shape, this Spring Shape Up mini-series is going to cover everything you need to get your metabolism in gear just in time to trade in your winter coats and long pants for tank tops and summer shorts.

Today, I'd like to cover how you can ease into an exercise program to create a manageable plan for long-term success and preventing short-term burnout.

The first step is easy and can be accomplished throughout the day. All I want you to do is make sure you walk 10,000 steps per day for the next week. That means that by the end of your day, you should have accumulated 10,000 or more steps at any point that day. For most people this equates to about an hour and a half of total walking during that 24 hour period. If you'd like a more accurate count on your steps, you can purchase a pedometer that will keep track of your steps for you. You can even find some for less than $1.99 at PedometersUSA.

If you're looking for a more structured plan, I recommend walking for 30 minutes at lunch and another 30 minutes after dinner. This will also have the added benefit of aiding in digestion and making you more aware of what you are eating before your walks. As for the other 30 minutes, just try to be more active during the day by taking the stairs, walking whenever possible and staying active.

In Part 2 of Spring Shape Up, you'll learn some simple ways to get better results without spending any more time working out. Stay tuned!