Walking is one of the simplest exercises out there because most of us do it every day. Starting a walking program is just like beginning any other exercise program.

The amount of calories burned while walking can vary greatly, depending several factors. The amount of time you walk, how fast you go, what shape you're in and even where you walk can make a big difference in the calories you burn. For instance, a 150-pound person who walks slowly on a firm surface for half and hour will burn about 85 calories, whereas a 200-pound person on a cross-country hike will burn 273 calories in the same amount of time. Calorie calculators can help you determine how many calories you're burning.

When it comes to upping your calorie burn, remember to keep your pace up: Walking can burn as many calories as running if you work hard enough. And, don't shy away from hills. They might leave you breathless but you'll burn mega calories in the process. Finally? Head off the beaten path. Hitting the trails on a nature walk burn more calories than city-walking does.

Why should you care about how many calories you burn? Burning more calories shaves inches off your waistline and is crucial for your overall health and well-being.

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In the past we've told you about how calorie restriction, hiking and weight lifting are good for your health and fitness. These lifestyle choices along with other healthy habits, may also be good for keeping your outward appearances -- and internal organs -- looking young. Discover 25 things -- you may already be doing -- to keep your body as youthful as can be.

Photo: Karen Asp

When I was in college, there was nothing a pint of Ben & Jerry's cookie dough ice cream couldn't fix. You name it -- a broken heart, frustrating classes (hello, statistics!), even the afternoon sleepies -- and Ben & Jerry's was my buddy. So when I had the chance to travel to the birthplace of one of my favorite splurges, how could I refuse? Turns out, there's more than ice cream in Stowe, Vt. True, it's a leaf peeper's dream destination, but it's also the ideal location for a little H&W (that's health and wellness in my book). Here are my top six pick for activities to do during a retreat in Stowe:

• Take a hike. Stowe's located in the Green Mountains, which means hiking opportunities are everywhere. But if there's one trail you should hit, it's the Long Trail (catch it at Smuggler's Notch). The trail gets steep near the top and requires some scrambling over rocks and boulders, but you wind up at Sterling Pond, which is stunning.
• Paddle the Lamoille River. Rent a kayak through Umiak Outdoor Outfitters. You'll hitch a ride in a school bus powered by vegetable oil and get dropped off at the put-in spot. As you enjoy this lazy river, you'll cross under four bridges, including a covered one.

There's nothing wrong with giving a standard Father's Day tie as a gift. But if you really want to make dad happy, plan some active time together with the family.

Hiking is a great option as June weather is perfect for it. Plus, a hike can be adjusted to work for any fitness level/family structure. Have little kids or is dad new to hiking? Pick an easy, well-groomed trail. If everyone is up for something more challenging, there are trails that will provide that in spades. Not only is hiking an excellent workout, it's an escape from the day-to-day grind, a chance to connect with family, and it does wonders for your stress level... all things dad would appreciate.

To find a hiking trail, you can check with your local parks and recreation office. You can also search an online database such as GORP's trail listing.

If you also want to give dad something wrapped with a bow, why not choose a gift that fits with the day's activity? There are plenty of hiking-themed gifts that will inspire dad to be active all year. A summer or year-long pass to area or state parks would be great, a Roll-a-Table is perfect for hiking or camping trips, and a water bottle or Camelbak hydration pack is always a good idea.

Check out Jacki's post for some more fit Father's Day ideas.

If you missed our daily postings this past week, we invite you to take some time to catch up on our prior week's news and gear up for a new week of healthy living information and inspiration.

Sheryl Crow looked gorgeous and fit on the red carpet at the Grammy Awards. How does she do it? Kristen's got the scoop.

"This Is Why You're Fat" is the Fatty Foods Hall of Shame ... some of this stuff doesn't even look edible, while some of it, well, YUM. What's your vice food?

Interval training is a good way to get an intense workout in a short period of time. But does it help you lose weight? Ashley's got the latest, as does Jonny.

Jillian Michaels -- Find out why she doesn't believe in cheat days, her least favorite workout and why contestants on "The Biggest Loser" have a 65 percent success rate (compared to five percent nationwide).

Three weeks to thinner thighs? Sign me up!

Ever wonder how Anne Hathaway stays so svelte? Get her secrets ... straight from her trainer.

So your arms need a little toning, you aren't alone. Let Fitz teach you the right way to work your triceps so you don't waste your time.

Ben & Jerry are so sweet, they make you believe that they want to be your friend. But don't get sucked in by the pithy names on those little pints of ice cream ... they're loaded with calories -- lie around 920 of them.

If you're looking for Michelle Obama, check the gym. She's probably there burning off her Valentine's gift -- a luscious, chocolate-covered brownie cake.

Take a hike! No, really, take one. It's good for you, and lots of fun too. Bev's got a neat trick to plan your next outing into the wilderness.

Have a great week, everyone!

Sarah Chalke, best known for her work on Scrubs, has always been slender on-screen, but she doesn't look that way by accident, especially now.

After turning 30, Chalke says, "I had to really keep up with working out. You can't get lax about it anymore." At 32, she's looking as great as ever, so it seems she's figured out what she's got to do.

Apparently, what she has to do is mix up her workout. "If I do one thing I would get way too bored," admits Chalke. And so, she shakes it up, hiking with Lola, her chocolate lab, doing yoga, and sweating it up with boot-camp workouts.

How about you? Did you notice a change in your metabolism at a certain age?

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Here at That's Fit, we're constantly telling you what we think about things, but sometimes it's nice to know what you think. So from time to time, we'll ask you a question. Don't be afraid to speak up -- we love feedback.

A few days ago, I asked you if you brave the cold weather to exercise outdoors. Many of you do, so today, I'm wondering how you exercise outdoors.

Do you have people in your life who just aren't satisfied with a jog around the neighborhood? You can foster your loved ones' adventurous spirits with holiday gifts that are as rugged as they are.

You can find adventure sport gear or accessories that fit any budget. Do keep in mind that certain items -- especially wearables such as helmets -- require a certain fit, so be sure to purchase items that can be easily exchanged if they don't fit correctly. Check out the gallery for some ideas.

Need a loyal workout buddy? Look no farther than your favorite pet. Dogs make great walking and hiking companions. They keep you company, help you feel a little safer, and never, ever take no for an answer ... even at 6 AM.

Good pet owners know that dogs need time to build up their fitness just like humans do, and that you should never overwork your pet. But once you two make a commitment to fitness, you'll never find a more loyal companion.

Here are five gifts the fitness-loving pet owner in your life would love to see under the tree this year.

Over the course of the week, we cover tons of celebrity diet and fitness scoop. We know it's hard to keep track of it all, so we have it all wrapped up here for your clicking pleasure. Click on your favorite celebs above to get the latest news on how their staying in shape!

I just received a few Element Bars in the mail, and instantly knew I'd need to share them with you. If you're a person who likes to have a protein/energy bar on occasion when you can't grab a meal, or uses them as a healthier version of snacks or desserts ... Element Bars are a fantastic choice. Why? You can design them yourself!

The process is really quite fun, and you'd be surprised how personalized these bars can be. You get to choose things like: bar texture, fruits, nuts, sweets, and nutritional boosters. Once you've made your purchase, the bar you receive in the mail will literally be a custom bar created by you!

I ordered a few of the most popular Element Bars and enjoyed them all. My favorite was "Chocolate Nut Pie". I couldn't decide whether this bar tasted more like chocolate chip cookie dough or brownies, but either way ... it was delicious. I'm actually in the process of trying to keep lean for a photo shoot coming up for of all things, my abs. Ugh! But the bars I chose are high in protein and fiber and low in sugars, so fortunately they fit in with my plan.

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So what are your plans for Labor Day? Frankly, the holiday sneaked up on me this year. What with back-to-school and work deadlines and other things I have on my mind, I completely forgot about it. My son and I will find something fun to do, though. We'll probably visit with family and maybe go to the BMX track (my son's favorite activity).

When making your Labor Day plans, keep health in mind. Some ideas:

• When grilling for your Labor Day BBQ, choose leaner cuts of meat and grill plenty of vegetables. You can also grill some fruits (peaches, plums, pineapple) for dessert. Remember to keep grilling safety in mind, too.
  
• Skip the chips and mayo-laden salads. Instead offer more healthful choices like veggie trays, yummy mixed green salads, and fruit salad.
• Plan some active time with family and friends. You can set up a volleyball net in the backyard, hold a basketball competition, or swim. Kids would also enjoy relay races and active games like red light, green light.
  
• Go on a Labor Day outing. Hike along a nature trail, bike on a rail trail, or visit a nearby beach (and don't just lay around -- swim and be active).

This weekend my son and I are going on a vacation. While we're staying in a cabin, we'll be spending most of our time outdoors -- at the beach, sand dunes, nature trails, and hiking paths. Both my son and I love to explore and check out what nature has to offer. A new web portal, Andy Camper, is all about outdoor adventures for kids.

The site offers dozens of how-to videos for kids; from geocaching to watching the stars. The site aims to get kids excited about the outdoors and to reconnect them with nature through fun, engaging ideas and activities.

My son is really into bugs right now (except spiders... they freak him out). Tonight, we're going to make this cool water viewer to help us look for bugs and other critters in the lake this weekend. Check it out! You're sure to find fun activities for you and your kids whether you're heading out on a special outdoor adventure, or just want to do some exploring in your own backyard.

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As a family, we like to get outdoors and enjoy natural surroundings. But there's one part of nature that we don't enjoy -- bugs. Whether buzzing in your ear or nibbling at your ankles, bugs can quickly ruin an outdoor activity. There are plenty of bug repellents out there -- effective ones at that -- but if spraying yourself or your family down with chemicals isn't your style, consider this homemade insect repellent bar instead.

You'll need to gather a few items, some likely from a health food store, but after that, putting the bar together is fairly quick. I'd make several at once, I think, then store them in handy places like the car, my backpack, the beach bag, etc. Though I'm certain a homemade bar won't repel bugs as well as a chemical spray, the peace of mind you'll get from using something natural and non-toxic might be worth a bite or two.

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