Walking continues to be one of the most effective and easiest exercises for all body types and fitness levels, a chance to use your core muscle groups, burn extra calories and elevate the heart rate. Whether you want to lose weight or get in shape, walking is an effective exercise that can help you trim down and shape up.

Still, your body can adapt to this aerobic routine fairly quickly, which means you won't be burning as many calories as you were when you first started your routine. When putting your best foot forward isn't enough to get you in shape and lose those extra pounds, here are some great walking workouts that can help jumpstart your weight-loss plans:

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Interval Training for Fitness

Interval training is one of the best ways to get out of a fitness rut and start burning extra calories when you've hit a weight-loss plateau. Interval training works by increasing and reducing your intensity level by alternating walking, uphill climbing, speed walking and walking downhill so you're challenging different muscle groups in short spurts. Interval training can help you jumpstart that weight-loss routine and get you in great shape within a few short weeks.

Another great way to vary your walking routine is to walk on a treadmill. Because you can adjust the speed and elevation of your treadmill, you can change up your routine within seconds. Try a pre-programmed walking circuit that incorporates hills or even a few minutes of speed walking into the routine to give your metabolism a boost and get that heart rate pumping.

Adding weights to your workout turns walking into a resistance-bearing workout, which means you can challenge core muscle groups and burn extra calories in the process. Speed walking helps elevate your heart rate to new heights, and the extra weights will make your muscles work harder. Slowly add ankle weights or carry a pair of dumbbells on your next walking routine to enjoy the extra benefits.

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Sculpting and Toning While Walking

Add deep lunges and stepping to your walking routine to really take things up a notch. Sculpting exercises such as lunges, long steps and stretching can help increase the number of calories burned and challenge several muscle groups. Doing lunges with light weights will also give you a chance to improve your balance and coordination while building your upper body strength.

Walking along a new route is another way to get out of a fitness rut and take your exercise routine to a whole new level. Go trail walking to challenge your leg muscles across uneven surfaces and cover some new ground as you take in the scenery. This can be a refreshing break from your usual route and give you a chance to challenge new muscle groups.