Turn Your Walk In to a Run and Drop a Size in 4 Weeks

We know you love walking-- and we do too! It's one of the best ways to stay healthy and keep your waistline in check. But when you're short on time (and who isn't?) or stuck on a plateau, running is another do-anywhere, no-equipment-required alternative that ramps up weight loss.

Adding even a few minutes into your walks can build stronger bones and cut your exercise time nearly in half: Minute for minute, running burns about twice as many calories as walking.

But if you think you're too old or too out of shape or that running will damage your knees (research shows it won't), don't take it from us. Take it from the 46-to 67-year-old women who tested our walk-to-run program: They saw pounds disappear as soon as the first week, and by 8 weeks, they had shaved up to 20 inches off their butts, thighs, waistlines, hips, and arms and dropped nearly 3 sizes--all without dieting! In fact, even those who didn't lose much weight erased as many as 5 inches of belly fat.


Our 8-week plan is specifically designed to be safe for would-be runners over 40. You'll gradually increase your running time, allowing your body to adjust without aches or strain, and perform targeted toning exercises and stretches to protect against injuries. And don't be surprised if you become a convert-- adults in one study who tried jogging reported enjoying their workouts 30% more than when they walked, possibly because running stimulates more good-mood hormones in the brain, say researchers.

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5 Workout Myths that Mess with Results

Can you really blast more fat by working out on an empty stomach? Do you burn the same number of calories walking a mile rather than running? We asked fitness pros to weigh in on 5 of the most common exercise myths and tell us the real deal--so you can get the best results out of each and every workout.

Myth: You burn more fat if you exercise on an empty stomach

Reality: Don't expect any fat-melting miracles. When you exercise, your body burns both fat and carbohydrate calories. Recent studies show that working out on an empty stomach might burn a few more fat calories than when you work out an hour or two after eating--but total calorie burn is about the same.

And, based on research so far, that's what really counts when it comes to fitting into a smaller size. What scientists don't yet know is whether an increase in fat burn alone could help you lose weight faster or shed more pounds over time. So the choice about when to eat is yours.

I've found I can do my 30- to 45-minute walks on an empty stomach no problem, but I need to fuel up before longer bike rides with my husband. To determine what's right for you, try this experiment: Eat a snack of about 200 calories--like a banana with peanut butter, whole grain crackers and low-fat cheese, or an energy bar--1 to 2 hours before you exercise, then note how you perform.

How long can you go before you feel tired? Can you pick up the intensity? The next day, work out without eating and note any differences. Exercising on an empty stomach can backfire by decreasing your calorie burn if you're too tired to complete your workout or slack off during it.

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