Let's face it, it can be incredibly difficult to maintain a regular exercise routine while juggling various family responsibilities and work commitments.

As a busy mum, it's far from easy to fit in an hour-long exercise class four or five times a week.

Between travel and preparation, you can quickly lose a couple of hours a day trying to get in shape, but don't let these factors deter you from moving towards your end goal!

By changing your work-out routine to fit in with your busy lifestyle, you will stay on track and reap the benefits of a new exercise.

By supplementing exercise classes with regular brisk walks, you will tone up, lose weight and and still find time for all those other all-important mummy tasks.

Here are just five benefits of hitting the pavement.

1. Speeds up weight loss

A brisk 30 minute walk around your neighbourhood is the perfect way to shed those pesky lbs.

Regular jaunts will have an incredible effect on your weight loss goals, so don't dismiss this exercise as pointless because it's one of the easiest ways to get in shape!

By keeping a brisk pace, swinging your arms and walking tall, you will be doing wonders for your weight loss goals.
 


2. Perfect for toning

If you long for toned pins and a tight bum, then you can't go too far wrong by lacing up your trainers and breaking a sweat during a brisk walk.

While your legs will naturally benefit from the activity, your tum can also get a look-in if you adopt the correct posture!

By relaxing your shoulders and pulling in your tum, you will work your abdominal oblique muscles which will held shed inches from your waist.
 


3. Boosts energy

If you find yourself flagging during the day, then you definitely need to incorporate regular walks into your routine.

By boosting circulation and increasing oxygen supply, walking is one of the best ways to raise your energy levels.

Step away from the coffee and take in the sights and sounds of your neighbourhood instead!
 


4. Lowers risk of disease

While exercise is often associated with appearance and fitness, we must not forget the numerous health benefits of regularly breaking a sweat.

By walking on a daily basis, you are lowering your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, asthma and some cancers.

No better reason to grab a girlfriend and go for a gossip while toning up and trimming down.
 


5. Strengthens your heart

The older we get, the more important it is for us to consider the health of our heart.

While strenuous cardio exercise is undoubtedly good for your heart and circulatory system, did you know a brisk walk could work wonders for it too?

According to experts, a high-intensity 30-minute walk can reduce your risk of stroke by up to 27 per cent.
 


Top tips

1. Don't dawdle - this is meant to be an exercise session, remember?

2. Only walk in safe, well-lit areas that you are familiar with.

3. Keep a diary and document your progress as the weeks go on.

4. Set a personal time or distance goal, and be sure to reward yourself when you eventually reach it, which you will!

5. Be consistent, be determined and be sure to eat a balanced diet because that's the only way you'll notice a difference in your health, fitness levels and overall appearance!

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