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The Complete Guide to Walking for Health, Weight Loss and Fitness by Fenton, Mark (2007) Paperback

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THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO WALKING FOR HEALTH, WEIGHT LOSS, AND FITNESS TAKE ONE YEAR TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE- FOREVER! WORKING OUT HAS NEVER BEEN EASIER All that's needed to get fit is a pair of walking shoes and a copy of Mark Fenton's invaluable handbook. In this new and completely revised edition, Fenton speaks to modern concerns, such as preventing and controlling serious health conditions, motivating families to walk together, finding the best walking spots nationwide, and using new technology to get fit faster and more safely. Much more than a "how-to" exercise book, The Complete Guide To Walking is an interactive and inspirational resource that can make the difference for millions of Americans who struggle with weight loss, health and dietary concerns, stress, and chronic fatigue. The author offers dozens of realistic solutions to help you overcome your individual barriers to regular daily activity. As a coach of beginners and world-class athletes alike, Fenton promises that he can tran

254 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2001

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About the author

Mark Fenton

27 books

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5 stars
31 (30%)
4 stars
38 (37%)
3 stars
24 (23%)
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9 (8%)
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
Profile Image for William Schram.
2,474 reviews97 followers
June 18, 2019
The Complete Guide to Walking is an apt title for this book. Written by Mark Fenton, a man known by the moniker of America’s Walking Guru, the book is one of those that double as a workbook. This is to say that it has sections where you are encouraged to write in the book to mark your progress. This would be appropriate if I owned this book, but it is from the library and I don’t like to write in library books.

I don’t have any issues with this book at all. It doesn’t tell you the basics of walking since it doesn’t expect a small child to read this book, however it does talk about other basics of walking. The book talks about how to pick out the proper shoes, and how to tell when to buy new ones. The book discusses proper posture and other things to reduce the stress on your limbs and joints.

The book is full of quotes and sound advice. For one, the main thing to do with an exercise routine of any kind is to actually do it. Since that is the case, the book recommends getting in the right habit first. As long as you walk, everything else is inconsequential. So then, the main portion of the book is devoted to a 52-week plan. Even if you miss a day, the important thing is to just walk. Walk because it feels awesome. The multiple benefits of walking are listed and well-known to many.

All in all, the book was great. My only issue is that I would have to take this out several times or make my own logbook so that I can record my progress. I do happen to have a watch that contains a pedometer, so I can find out how many steps I have done for the day so that works out well.
Profile Image for Leslie.
183 reviews26 followers
November 19, 2013
A great resource. Inspirational. Exercises included. Also includes tips for hiking. Best idea to come from book: sign up on walking tours - now that I'm big on walking I would be interested in such a thing whereas before I would have skimmed it over. My dream would be to walk a part of the Big Wall of China.
Profile Image for Hope.
544 reviews12 followers
January 2, 2009
A simple, no-nonsense approach to exercising and feeling better. Walk more. Fenton covers indoor options (gyms, treadmills), what to wear when walking outside, ways to increase your fitness level through walking and other related topics.
Profile Image for Deborah.
310 reviews13 followers
July 17, 2015
Definitely a good read for getting starting in walking and moving right on up to even race walking. I like how the book solely focused on walking and was about getting fit. It was an encouraging read.
Profile Image for Sarah Nannette  Booth.
137 reviews11 followers
December 9, 2018
A great book on walking! I am more motivated to walk more , for my fitness, to stay slim and for my health after reading this book! It also encouraged me to walk more and not make running my main focus for exercise as running is harder on my knees and more of a chance for knee injuries.
203 reviews4 followers
November 17, 2024
This book is designed to help you set up your own year-long exercise regimen for walking. It's not bad, but also not great.

I was able to glean some nice insights at times, and others ,meh...

As a USATF track official I do have to state that the section on Race Walking was informative.
Profile Image for Amber.
228 reviews
October 24, 2022
Has some outdated info, but otherwise good advice for beginners. I appreciate that strength training is suggested as well.
Profile Image for Wendy.
98 reviews
August 17, 2007
Changed my life- Now quit reading this review and get out there and walk!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews